Last night marked the first MET Gala in May since the pandemic, and a triumphant return to fashion’s biggest night out in support of the museum’s Costume Institute. With the theme being In America: An Anthology of Fashion, part two had the creative directive of gilded glamour and white tie. While many veered from the theme or wore some abstraction of it, we were pleasantly surprised with the number of archival and repurposed garments stepping out onto the carpet. At an event where maximalism and one-of-a-kind couture is praised, to see vintage take centre stage was a euphoric sight to behold.
Kim Kardashian brings out a coveted and rare archival piece back to the limelight. Wearing the "naked dress" which was originally worn by icon Marilyn Monroe to serenade President John F Kennedy in 1962. That Kim was the other person to have worn the Jean Louis design solidifies this momentous occasion. The dress is worth $5 million dollars, suggesting why Kim decided to change into a replica for dinner.
Arguably one of the few celebrities that recognisably kept to the theme, Billie Eilish wears upcycled Gucci designed by Alessandro Michele. A "duchesse satin corseted gown with lace underlay", her moment is most reflective of the glamour of the late 19th century.
Paloma Elsesser's corset moment is evidence enough of the options for repurposed fabrics. Made in part from vintage lace sourced from '30s dresses, Coach melds old materials with new and fresh designs in a spectacular medley that brightens the red carpet.
In a dazzling ode to Gianni Versace's 1992 spring/summer look, Emily Ratajkowski dons this beaded runway masterpiece to this First Monday in May. The ensemble was originally worn by supermodel Yasmeen Ghauri, a fact that Emily has made sure to emphasise as she shares the behind-the-scenes to her look on Instagram.
Nicholas Ghesquière poses with Louis Vuitton ambassadors HoYeon Jung and Emma Stone as they wear archival ensembles. Emma repurposes her custom wedding reception mini-dress designed by Ghesquière and HoYeon wears a leather and suede look from the house's Cruise 2017 collection.
We know a Christian Lacroix number when we see it - even if it's worn backwards! Adut Akech wears an emerald gown in a reversed fashion from the designers Autumn/Winter 2003 collection. Sourced by Shrimpton Couture's Cherie Balch, to have such a gown resurfaced on such a big night is just magical.
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