Gilded Glamour: Who Followed the Met Gala's Theme?

In America: A Lexicon of Fashion exhibit. Image via Time Out.

As you must know, this past Monday, May 2, was the 2022 Met Gala, arriving not long after the postponed 2021 Met Gala which occurred in September. These two Met Galas honored a two-part exhibit put on by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, the first being In America: A Lexicon of Fashion and the second being In America: An Anthology of Fashion. Yet this year’s Gala carried a slightly different theme than the exhibit itself: Gilded Glamour.

A purist interpretation of the Gilded Glamour theme constitutes dressing in the style of the Gilded Age in America, which was a period spanning from 1870 to 1900 characterized by economic growth and industrialization. The era earns the term “Gilded” from the way in which the surface-level prosperity distracts or conceals from the numerous social and political problems that plagued this time period, just as a gilded exterior fools one to believe the interior is solid gold.

Elon and Maye Musk. Image via Newsweek.

The issues of the Gilded Age seem to ironically parallel our current moment, as we too see great wealth disparity and the clash of big business and politics. I like to see this theme of this Met Gala as an intentional irony in itself, regardless of whether there was self-awareness in its selection. With politicians like Hillary Clinton and billionaires like Elon Musk among the attendees of the illustrious Met Gala, Gilded Glamour further demonstrated to the world that politics, exorbitant wealth, and fashion are three sides of the same coin.

Image via E! Online.

What’s more, the televised premiers of this year’s Met Gala red carpet coincided with the leak of a Supreme Court opinion document revealing that the court may overturn the landmark case protecting abortion rights, Roe v. Wade. As I, and I’m sure many of you, experienced, the breaking news shockingly snapped us out of the collective escapism of watching celebrities waltz in gold dresses down the red carpet, demonstrative of the gilded exterior of celebrity culture providing an enticingly well-packaged distraction from the demise of our democracy.

Anyways…

Back to the outfits!

As previously mentioned, Gilded Glamour could be strictly interpreted as wearing iterations of 1870s-1900s period dress. Or, as many attendees chose to do, you could wear a gold (or silver) ensemble. As a Met Gala theme purist, my favorite (and the most successful in my opinion) outfits, follow the theme closely, and these are the looks I will list for you here.

But first, a quick review of the fashions of the Gilded Age. Overall, the style of the Gilded Age reflected the influx of wealth and prosperity of the upper classes to own more dramatic and ornate clothing. Some popular aspects of women’s fashion in the Gilded Age included bustles, rich colors, corsets, hats, and accoutrements like embroidery and lace. (NPS) For men, popular styles included multi-piece suits, top hats, and eventually tuxedos. (NPS)

Though the Met Gala, of course, warrants creative and modernizing interpretations on the theme, there were a few select guests who nailed Gilded Glamour with their own personal interpretation of late 19th century period dress, yet rendering it appropriate for a 21st century fashion gala.

Emma Corrin in Miu Miu

Image via Red Carpet Fashion Awards.

Emma Corrin modernized Gilded Age men’s fashion with a formal top hat and an oversized double-breasted jacket, playing with the layering of suits that was typical of the era.

Normani in Christian Siriano

Image via Footwear News.

With puff-sleeved shoulder details, an expansive skirt resembling a bustle, and an elegant matching hat, Normani modernized Gilded Age styles by exposing her midriff.

Taylor Hill in Dolce & Gabbana

Image via Celebs First.

The colors, embroidery, and textural details in Taylor Hill’s Dolce & Gabbana dress evoke the intricacy and sumptuousness of late 19th century women’s fashion.

Billie Eilish in Gucci

Image via Tom + Lorenzo.

Perhaps the most classic and on-theme look of the night, Billie Eilish sported a Gilded Age Gucci evening gown with exposed corsetry and a bustle with intricate fabric drapery and lace details.

Evan Mock in Head of State

Image via Seventeen.

Evan Mock incorporated women and men’s Gilded Age fashion into his look by combining a corseted top with a suit silhouette.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Christopher John Rogers

Image via Red Carpet Fashion Awards.

This expansive dress with a large hoop skirt, train, corset-like details, and of course, a dramatic hat, make SJP a spitting image of a Gilded Age woman transplanted into the 21st century.

David Harbour

Image via Vogue Singapore.

David Harbour, shown with Lily Allen, sported the most Gilded men’s look of the night, evoking a railroad baron with a cane, vintage-style suit, top hat, and a cigar.

Autumn de Wilde

Image via WWD.

On the carpet, Autumn de Wilde payed homage to the writer Oscar Wilde by sporting a loose, cape-like top and a wide-brimmed hat.

Blake Lively in Versace

Image via US Magazine.

Image via E! Online.

Blake Lively’s transformative Versace dress slightly resembles a Gilded Age evening gown. Though most notably, the color change represents the tarnishing of the copper material of the Statue of Liberty, which was brought to the US in the middle of the Gilded Age.

Featured image via LA Times.

The Best and Worst of Camp: Notes on Fashion

When I heard that the theme for this year’s Met Gala was Camp, I got super excited to see what celebrities and their stylists would pull out for the red carpet. Camp’s presence in fashion has become more and more apparent recently, particularly with the influence of icons of mainstream media that highlight the magic of this more-is-more ideology: stars like Rupaul, Cher and Ezra Miller are really pushing the boundaries of taste, individuality, self-expression and most importantly, humor and I was so excited to see the materialization of Camp’s power.

Pose on FX star Billy Porter wore an Egyptian-inspired body suit designed by the Blonds, and he was carried into the gala via Sedan Chair by six chairmen.

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With a theme like Camp, I definitely had a feeling that we were going to see more than just fashion this year, particularly since regular invitees are often outside the fashion industry, and encompass fashion as a performance art rather than just a fabulous garment. With that in mind, I absolutely knew that there were going to be some faults among the fabulous presentations of the night. Not everybody can be like Lady Gaga and reveal four unique looks in a fifteen-minute striptease-outfit-reveal-extravaganza. Sometimes fabulous performers try and fail, and I’m not going to say we saw too much failure tonight, but we definitely saw a few questionable takes on camp…But I’m sure they’d make for some good memes.

Co-chair Lady Gaga revealed four separate looks for the gala from a 25 foot long train to a sequins bra and panty

I will say, I was the most disappointed in the lack of male-engagement in this year’s gala and opted to not include the attendees who simply did not participate in the campy-dress code. While I’m normally impartial to a good suit-and-tie, at this year’s gala, if your suit and tie didn’t come with a performance of its own…you’re cancelled.

Without further ado, here are the slays and nays of the 2019 Met Gala!

Camp Queens: The Slayers of the Night!

Janelle Monáe in Christian Siriano

Campy yet simultaneously avant-garde, Janelle Monáe absolutely slayed in this Christian Siriano Picasso-Dali-inspired dress with a real blinking crystal eye on the bodice. I especially loved the leaning tower of wide-brimmed hats that she wore as a headpiece; it’s slightly bonkers in the best possible way. I must say that my eyes were certainly on her!

Kendall and Kylie Jenner in Versace

Channeling the evil stepsisters from Disney’s Cinderella (but make it fashion!), Kendall and Kylie took over the gala in complimentary Versace gowns. In a gala filled with sequins, feathers and vibrant colors, Kendall and Kylie absolutely dominated. With influences from Bob Mackey to Carnival to Cher, the Jenners managed to combine Gala-grade sexiness with crazy, campy opulence. The slipper might not fit, but who cares when the fit is fly anyway.

Florence Welch in Gucci

No stranger to Alessandro Michele’s whimsical regality at Gucci, Florence Welch stunned in this jade green and lavender number that had her looking like a queen. I think it was a perfect blend of her signature softness combined with a statuesque glory in those fabulous 3-D wings; and though it wasn’t as explicitly “on-theme”, I feel like this look still embodies the excesses and opulence of Camp but combined with Florence’s signature style as well.

Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

Another Gucci goddess, Saoirse Ronan absolutely slayed me in this Imperial red and gold Dragon gown. The look is definitely on the simpler side of the looks we’ve seen, but is nonetheless super glam. I have to give props to Ronan’s hair and makeup team, because she was serving Daenerys realness and I am not mad at all; why be a drag when you can be a dragon?

Laverne Cox in Christian Siriano

We saw so many (read: too many) head to black looks on this red carpet; and though I’m impartial to a good monochrome fit, I was utterly disappointed in what I saw - until I saw this look. Laverne Cox brought me this amazing silhouette from Christian Siriano with that fabulous blossoming ruffle- couture headpiece - turquoise hair moment and my faith was restored in the impact that a fabulous silhouette can have.

Ezra Miller in Burberry

Surreal, androgynous, playful and rebellious, these are the areas where camp crosses over with Ezra Miller, who in my opinion, is fashion’s rising star. Dressed in a custom Burberry suit-dress and corset, Miller is serving all sorts of optical illusion, mind boggling, gender bending fantasy and I cannot complain. Not to mention, Ezra’s makeup team absolutely killed it with those five photo realistic eyes and stunning red lip, creating a look that is undoubtedly campy as it is undoubtedly Ezra.

Constance Wu in Marchesa

What’s a gala without a glamorous gal? Constance Wu is absolutely killing it in this gorgeous 1920’s-inspired gown by Marchesa. Channeling starlets of the past, this Hollywood honey is bringing us a more refined vision of camp; a playful, but melodramatic vision of glamor that I think really aligns with her point of view on both performance and fashion. I am also obsessed with that dark lip and smoky eye, which totally completes Constance’s look and brings out this persona that we've never seen before. It’s an absolute slay for me!

Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture

Finally, I must cite the queen herself: dame Anna Wintour in this fabulous Chanel Couture gown and coat. As the Chair of the event, executive producer of the gala and Editor-in-Chief of the world’s most influential fashion magazine, Anna Wintour absolutely killed the theme of this year’s gala while still maintaining her signature sophistication. The look is playful and light with those beautiful bouncing feathers, yet totally ladylike with those marvellous, embroidered florets. In my eyes, this look is the penultimate combination of glamorous and campy: Glampy! and it is certainly a triumph on top of the amazing Gala this year.

Camp Questionable: A No From Me.

Gigi Hadid in Michael Kors

Okay, so I want to preface this by saying that I really want to like this look, but I think I’m physically unable to give it more than a pity laugh. I think that Gigi is an amazing model with a willingness to do whatever is asked of her, but I think this look does not suit (haha) her at all. It’s really just too many things at once: Star Wars meets a gold lamé tree that nests an ostrich who laid an egg on Gigi’s head. On another star, I’m sure the look would have been one of my faves, but on Gigi, I find that such an outrageous look washes out her beauty, her personality and her fashion perspective. I think that this look really hides who she is and I hope that next year, she finds a look that screams “Gigi” rather than “Confused Hedwig”.

Bibbidy, Bobbidy, BOOOOOOO! Alright, I get it: Camp seems like a theme where you can venture into costume, but I think the fault in that is that costume can become cheap really REALLY fast and I’m afraid that’s what happened with this Tommy Hilfiger x Cinderella Ballgown. So I get the idea, Law Roach, Zendaya’s “image architect” played the role of the fairy Godmother and turns Zendaya’s grey ballgown into a glowing blue gown, and while I appreciate the concept, I feel like the execution fell short. It seems too much like a rip-off of Claire Dane’s gown from a few years ago and a cheap one at that. I wish that instead of just turning the lights on, Zendaya had more of a full transformation; I wanted her to reveal some kind of alternate outfit that took this campy look into something more chic and playful; I wish those ridiculous puff sleeves came off along with that blonde wig to reveal something that gave me more Zendaya and more fashion. Though it seems that wishing on this star won’t grant me what I want :(

Amber Valetta in Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello

Okay so I’m all for taking a risk during the Met Gala; I love that Amber really wanted to push herself and highlight something very sexy and fun for the gala with this Saint Laurent look, and I really think that I would have really liked this look if it was tailored a little bit differently, but I’m sorry, that cameltoe might be where I draw the line. I love the neon-green feathered coat and the heels and that intense bang, but I think that bodysuit could have been executed in a way that still retained that sexiness without that unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. I will give Amber credit for taking a risk, but I think the risk may not have paid off this time.

Katy Perry in Moschino

Where’s Sia when you need her? Okay, I have very little to say about this look, just that I think that Katy should have brought a bit more fashion to the Met and a bit less Beauty and the Beast. Jeremy Scott designed a similar dress in 2016, but at least that gown hit the floor and brought me an intersection between fashion and humor. This? This is a chandelier and also a mess. That’s all.

Kristen Stewart in Chanel

I would love to hear how K-Stew would explain this…choice. We’ve seen that Chanel has the capacity to be both campy and chic, but I think this look is neither, and also definitely not fit for a red carpet. A sequins culotte with a sequins black top and an imbalanced array of chains gives me more Drag Queen Loungewear than Met Gala, and not even in a good way. On top of that, I don’t understand this dip-dye popsicle colored hair and equally confusing creamsicle brow moment. I know that Kristen Stewart has a more minimal, cool style that might not align well with this year’s theme, but I think that translated more into her outfit fighting with itself rather than an incorporation of her perspective into her look. It’s disharmonious to say the least and in my opinion, both boring and too much, which I never thought was possible.

Harry Styles in Gucci

I think this might be one of the most disappointing looks of the night, and what makes it more disappointing is the fact that Harry Styles was a co-chair of the gala, wearing the designs of one of his other co-chairs, Alessandro Michele. I think this outfit is a bleak look at what could have been, but sadly a mesh top with grandpa-ish high-waisted trousers and a ring on every finger is a weak attempt at Camp. And I’m surprised, Harry Styles normally pulls out some really vibrant, creative and avant garde looks and I think that this one simply fell short. I feel like there’s nothing exciting about a head to toe black outfit with a big bow and exposed nipples. I think Harry has so much more reverence for fashion than what he’s showing and I’m hoping he toned down his own look to make this looks of his co-chairs all the more vibrant, but really Harry? Really?

And there you go! My top toots and boots from the Met Gala! To see every look from the red carpet, be sure to check out Vogue’s red carpet coverage here!

All images via unless otherwise specified.

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Camp: The 2018 Met Gala Highlights Fashion’s Sense of Humor

The Met Gala was established in 1948 to raise money for the Costume Institute at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and  to celebrate the opening of its annual fashion exhibition. The Gala brings together the most acclaimed figures in fashion, art, television and more, presenting themes such as Heavenly Bodies, Manus x Machina, Punk, and China: Through the Looking Glass. Despite the intensive publicity surrounding the Gala, all the events of the night following the red carpet are not publicized. Guests are not permitted to post on social media, nor is there any coverage of the actual event.

Kendall Jenner snuck in a personal camera during last year’s ball. Photo via

This year’s Gala will take place on the Monday, May 6th and will be presented by Andrew Bolton, who has chosen “Camp: Notes on Fashion” as the official theme.

The exhibition will feature 200 fine art and fashion objects, ranging from artifacts from the court of Versailles all the way to ready-to-wear and couture pieces of the present day. This year’s chairs will be Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Anna Wintour and Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele. Undoubtedly, we can expect a lot of the red carpet and exhibition to feature some of Michele’s collections over the years.

Franco Moschino shirt. Spring 1991. Image via

Michele has publicly expressed his enthusiasm for the event, claiming “Camp is a beautiful word and a crucial element in the expression of human nature.”

Susan Sontag’s Notes on Camp, the inspiration for the exhibit’s title and theme, approaches the word “camp” in terms of sensibility. She describes it as love of the unnatural, a form of performance, rebellion from aesthetic restriction and a comic vision for the world, among 54 other definitions in her essay.

Clearly, “camp” is a pretty broad theme, and one that is hard to pinpoint theoretically, let alone imagine on the red carpet for one of the biggest fashion events of the year. Bolton is keen to focus on what gives a subject its personality, with an emphasis on elements such as exaggeration, theatricality and artifice. In many ways, the ambiguity–or perhaps even the mystery of camp–allows attendees to really define for themselves what the term means.

For more information and media about this year’s Met Gala, or on Camp: Notes on Fashion, be sure to check out the Met’s event page.

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Candice at the MET: A Case for Classics

MET Gala 2017 brought about many buzz-worthy looks (think Rihanna's Comme des Garçons confection, Kendall's La Perla silk-crystal creation, P. Diddy's Rick Owens suit...) as designers and celebrities grappled with this year's theme: "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between". 

However, within the aesthetic excess and visual overload, Candice Swanepoel managed to stand out. Her outfit was deceptively familiar—a classic-cut Topshop dress accented by Lorraine Schwartz diamonds, a high ponytail, and a thick swoop of eyeliner—and that's what made it so breathtaking. The look plays upon silhouettes and contrast; it is the in-between of minimalist versus maximalist philosophies of style.

Candice herself completes the look—it's undeniable that the gown was made for her, and that her interpretation elevates it to something special. Be sure to check out Gordon von Steiner x VOGUE's video portrait of her below!

A post shared by Gordon von Steiner (@gvsgvs) on May 1, 2017 at 10:38pm PDT

3,857 Likes, 102 Comments - Gordon von Steiner (@gvsgvs) on Instagram: "Candice came to slay. 🌷 @angelcandices @voguemagazine @kelmcgee23 @silasveta @toddbanhazl"

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And This Year's Met Gala Theme Is...

Yesterday may have been "Nerd Prom" (the White House Correspondent's Dinner even if it was sans White House) but tonight is "Fashion Prom". The first Monday of May is the biggest night of fashion - the Met Ball Gala. You know you've made it in the fashion world if Anna Winter deigns you worthy of joining the star-studded fête.

This year's gala focused Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo - only the second living designer honored since Yves Saint Laurent in 1983. The accompanying exhibit at the Met in New York City is titled "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between".

Kawakubo is one of few major female designers and she owns her line. She founded Comme des Garçons in 1973, focusing on austere "anti-fashion", earning her followers in Japan the nickname "the Crows". In an age of sensationalized fashion shows and social media sweetheart designers (looking at you Jeremy Scott, Marc Jacobs and Olivier Rousteing) Kawakubo has remained an enigmatic figure mostly out of the public eye.   

Comme des Garçons is most well known for its heart-with-peeping-eyes logo that can be found on Converse and striped t-shirts. In 2008, the brand collaborated with H&M for a limited edition collection. 

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Kawakubo's collections exist in their own parallel universe with little explanation or ties to the real world. Deliciously aloof and untethered, they are sculptural explorations of shape, color and texture that answer to no one. 

The exhibit, curated by Met' Costume Exhibit Curator Andrew Bolton, features nearly 150 ensembles based on eight themes: (1) fashion/antifashion; (2) design/not design; (3) model/multiple; (4) then/now; (5) high/low; (6) self/other; (7) object/subject; and (8) clothes/not clothes.

According to Vogue, the installation took a year to plan and 69 days to construct and install.  

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And the Met Gala 2017 Theme Is...

Next spring's Met Exhibit will explore Rei Kawakubo's unparalleled career at the helm of Comme des Garçons, the museum's "first monograph show... to focus on a living designer since its Yves Saint Laurent exhibit in 1983" (Vogue.com).

The exhibition will showcase over 100 Comme des Garçons designs from various points in Kawakubo's career, and will hone in on concepts and motifs she has explored since her inception of the prolific Japanese fashion house. "The pieces will be arranged by contrasting themes (East/West, male/female, past/present), which touch upon Kawakubo’s fascination with “in-betweenness.” The mannequins featuring Kawakubo’s designs will also be more accessible than ever, as they will be placed at eye-level without any glass or other physical barriers between them and the viewer" (Vogue.com).

If the Costume Institute's previous track record of shows is any indication of Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons projected success, fashion lovers and curious observers alike are in for a memorable and immersive introduction into Kawakubo's creative universe.

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The Most Standout Looks from the Met Gala

If you didn't spend your Monday night glued to your computer and phone, tracking all the latest looks and arrivals at the Met Gala, then don't worry, MODA went ahead and did all the heavy lifting for you. Keep scrolling for a roundup of our favorite standout looks from the Super Bowl of all fashion events. And if you haven't had a chance to flip through Vogue's 100+ photo album of all the best celebrity looks from the Met Gala red carpet, click here.

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Lupita Nyong'o is universally considered a fashion icon for a reason. She never disappoints with her red carpet style and pulls off any ensemble, hair or makeup look–no matter how effervescent, zany or daring–with effortless grace and charm. Her body-hugging, sequined gown for the night was designed by Calvin Klein Collection, and the airy, diaphanous train contrasted nicely with her bold hair and makeup choices.

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FKA twigs (pictured here with fiancé Robert Pattinson) managed to look demure and sultry in her Atelier Versace gown. The simple silhouette was elevated by a harness that followed the seams of the dress underneath and Jennifer Fisher jewelry that gave the look an ethereal, otherworldly appeal.

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Claire Danes looked positively radiant in her custom made,glow-in-the-dark  Zac Posen gown. The look really hit its full stride when the actress transitioned into the darker interior of the party, which illuminated the layers of gossamer in a sea of shimmery fabric! Head over to Posen's Instagram account for some great photos of the gown pre and post construction.

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While feathery trains, silver and sparkles reappeared over and over again on the red carpet, Rita Ora's jaw-dropping Vera Wang gown definitely reigned supreme. This intricately constructed gown will definitely be remembered as one of haute couture's most standout moments.

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Never one to shy away from statement-making looks, Zendaya looked sublime in her slinky,gold-encrusted Michael Kors Collection gown. While her dress and makeup leaned towards the more traditional, her unique hair styling stood out in an endless sea of chignons and high ponies.

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It's all in the details; Emma Watson's two-piece, off the shoulder Calvin Klein Collection ensemble offset its simple color scheme with a handful of quirky details and an asymmetrical silhouette. To make matters even more interesting, the gown was also made entirely out of recycled materials.

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All eyes were on Kendall Jenner when she stepped onto the red carpet in this sexy Atelier Versace number. The modern cutouts and detailing combined with the gown's impeccable craftsmanship are the perfect take on the Gala's Manus x Machina theme.

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Nicole Kidman positively glowed in her Alexander McQueen celestial-inspired look. The dazzling gown's sheer cape, plunging neck and cutout bodice highlighted the actress' figure without appearing gaudy and was a fitting ode to the handmade portion of the exbhibit.

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Blake Lively was the belle of the ball in her peony pink Burberry gown. A peachy, floral embroidered train and shoulder grazing Lorraine Schwartze earrings perfectly complemented the elegant mother-to-be's bold makeup look and bun.

What are some of your favorite looks from this year's Met Ball? Let us know in the comments below! 

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The Best Men's Fashion @ Met Gala 2016

Watching celebrities strut in their custom designer clothing at the Met Gala is a favorite annual pastime of mine. Some play it safe and elegant, some take bold risks and wow the audience; others fumble with fit, color schemes, and accessories. There is much to learn from their outfits—what went right, what could've been fine without. Here are some choice looks of the night that hopefully will give you pointers on how you could develop your own style, especially for formal occasions. 

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Alexander Skarsgard demonstrates how a classic formal look is done right: perfectly form-fitting tuxedo with an all-black ensemble of shoes and bow-tie. So simple, so elegant. His use of accessories is sparing in comparison to his peers, but he proves that a single, well-placed lapel pin is better than a dozen jewelries.

What to learn: Before diverging from traditional formalwear, learn to master formalwear first. Make your suit at any price-point look impeccable by taking it to a tailor. It is a good idea to have your measurements in handy, not just for suits but for clothing in general for shopping and tailoring purposes. Remember: you can never go wrong with all black. Have one or two accessories that really shine while not taking away the spotlight from the outfit.

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Nick Jonas is wearing Topman, an affordable mid-tier brand, and he looks absolutely stunning in it, challenging the stalwart dominance of major fashion houses in red carpet fashion. What he is nailing here is the inclusion of one statement piece - his double-breasted blue tuxedo jacket - that pops in color. The other aspects of the look are complementary to the jacket. The result: breaking the mold, but not overwhelming.

What to learn: Spice up your outfit with an interesting statement piece, whether it contrasts with the style of your overall look, or has a distinct pattern/color.

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White suits are notoriously difficult to master, yet Jared Leto manages to not only pull it off, but outdo the competition while at it. The key to a killer all-white look is choosing the right hue of white, and tasteful contrast between the white tones. The snowy-white ivory Gucci smoking jacket is both regal in form and color, and fits well with the pure white of his time-old rendition of the band collar shirt. Every detail, from the cane to the collar pin to the covered placket of the shirt, is deliberate and exacting. Sure, he does resemble a duke from the Victorian era, but the modern twist on it is undeniably refreshing.

What to learn: Avoid wearing all white unless you can devise a cohesive and thoughtful outfit. For formalwear, be as close to form-fitting as possible. ABSOLUTELY NO BRIGHT SILK TIES OR VESTS. Wearing white well requires subdued elegance.

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Love him or hate him, Jaden Smith is new the face of millennial, avant-garde fashion. Whether he pulls out his white Batman suit or a Louis Vuitton dress, he challenges the status quo of men's fashion, which can be rigid and inflexible compared to its female counterpart. There is an interesting element at play here: Jaden's look is reminiscent of the 90s Prada reinvention of the suit for women, now integrated back into men's fashion. The Rad Hourani-esque silhouette and the lines on his jacket say enough: he is on the top of his game. Will formalwear evolve in this direction? I wouldn't mind if it does.

What to learn: Incorporate traditionally feminine elements of apparel into your style to give a twist to your look. Experiment with silhouettes and fit - check out his pants, for example.

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What exactly is Zayn wearing? He looks like he's filming for a superhero movie featuring a celebrity who discovers his secret identity as Thor. Having said that, I would be lying if I said I didn't want that arm brace in my life. His tailoring is perfect, and I see the increasing trend of the air-tie replacing neckwear as a chic alternative.

What to learn: When you question your bold style move, remember: if it's cool, just do it.

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It seems that Kanye has slightly departed from his street style dominated look of 2015. That's okay, because I believe that after years of experimentation, the self-proclaimed god is finally finding his own stylistic voice. His look is similar to what Lucky Blue Smith, GQ's Best Dressed finalist who lost to Kanye, would tend to wear: slightly Bohemian, faded but classic tones, exuding swagger. The gaudiness of the Fear of God (the name befits the wearer) jacket and the classic white shirt and jeans combination sends a layered message of Kanye the everyman and Kanye the outspoken music icon.

What to learn: Don't be a "hypebeast" who blindly follows the latest fashion trends and fads. Of course, pay attention to them, but at the same time construct your own distinct look from the bits and pieces of each style.

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The First Monday in May: A Met Gala Introspective

A scene from last year's Met Gala

For fashion lovers around the world, the annual Met Gala represents the pinnacle of fashion, celebrity and the arts as the biggest names in design, film and music ascend the red-carpeted stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in the most decadent haute couture. Last year's theme, China: Through the Looking Glass, examined the intersections between Western and Chinese fashion and culture, with a sprawling exhibit that spanned the Met's entire Asian art wing and featured the works of Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Guo Pei and more. Looking Glass' wildly successful and positive reception from the public–the exhibit drew in 815,992 visitors, becoming the fifth most-visited exhibit in Met history.

Rihanna as the belle of the ball in her canary yellow, custom-made Guo Pei gown at the 2015 Met Gala

As a precursor to this year's Costume Institute exhibit, the all-access Met Ball documentary The First Monday in May was premiered on April 13th at the Tribeca Film Festival (watch the trailer here). The film provides an extensive behind-the-scenes tour of everything from the hectic planning process to the red-carpet and celebrity clad debut of the Looking Glass exhibit.

A interior snapshot of the Looking Glass exhibit.

This year's highly anticipated exhibit Manus x Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology, will observe the dichotomies between haute couture or hand made versus machine made fashion. Over 100 looks will be featured by some of the most influential names in the industry and will undoubtedly epitomize decades of fashion history. Cochairs Idris Elba, Jonathan Ive, Taylor Swift will join fashion industry leaders and Anna Wintour and honorary chairs Nicholas Ghesquière, Karl Lagerfeld and Miuccia Prada.

Will you be in NYC over the summer? Swing by the Manus x Machina exhibit in the Met's Costume Institute and let us know what you think!

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China Through the Orientalist Looking Glass

This year's Met Gala theme-- China: Through the Looking Glass-- has been the source of great debate. Take a peak through blogger Gordon's glasses to see what he thinks about some of the star's ensembles.

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Sarah Jessica Parker in custom H&M Dress, Philip Treacy hat

Fresh off her win at Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, American Pharoah, [sic] celebrated human actress Sarah Jessica Parker struts her stuff in a black silk dress adorned with those paper poppies that British people wear to remember World War I (see SJP’s starring role in the equine WWI epic War Horse) and what appears to be the Tibetan prayer flags that your cool roommate who’s really “spiritual” got from an Amnesty International vigil. Adding to her jumbled orientalist fantasy is a flaming headdress replete with dangling tassels, a slightly more #culturallysensitive option than her original choice of walking the red carpet with chopsticks in her hair.

On a scale of 1-5 Edward Saids, I give this outfit a 5.

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Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in vintage Dior

Taking a break from their normal Monday ritual of making hair bracelets and posing for post-mortem tintypes, formerly conjoined twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen got down from their widow’s walk in order to slouch across the Met’s red carpet in two stunning examples of Edwardian mourning attire. While the twins channeled Civil War widow realness in Mary Todd Lincoln for Tom Ford at last year’s Met Gala, the two decided to scandalously ditch their bustles and whalebone corsets for these form-fitting numbers that say, "My husband may have died in a trench at Verdun, but you Ver-don’t see me being any less fabulous.”

On a scale of 1-5 Edward Saids, I give these outfits a 1 (maybe they were Boxer Rebellion widows).

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Chloë Sevigny in custom J.W. Anderson.

Remember that time when Emily Dickinson was shanghaied and brought to Singapore to live as a pirate captain’s concubine? Noted polygamist-cum-Opening Ceremony model Chløë Sévîgny sure does. This sexually liberated Belle of Amherst has ditched her high-necked black dresses and modest shawls for this revealing embroidered silk number that shows a level of décolletage unbefitting a bourgeois poetess of her stature. Assembled out of castaway scraps of fabric collected during a trip to the dumpster of Jo-Ann Fabric’s Chinatown branch, Chloë’s bold look makes it clear that this starlet is certainly not a “Nobody!”

On a scale of 1-5 Edward Saids, I would give this outfit a 4.

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