Let's Talk Met Gala 2022: Gilded Glamour

Met Season has finally passed and while many attendees failed to capture this year’s theme, few succeeded. The Met Gala or Met Ball–formally called the Costume Institute Gala or the Costume Institute Benefit–is an annual fundraising gala held on the first Monday of May for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. According to Vogue Magazine, this year’s Met Gala theme–"Gilded Glamour"–honored the museum’s 2022 exhibition: “In America: An Anthology of Fashion" as a celebration of the overlooked backbone of American style.

The Gilded Age signifies a time in which America became more prosperous and saw unprecedented growth in industry and technology. But beyond this period of prosperity and opulent wealth, the Gilded Age also gave rise to investigative reporting (exposing the corruption of politicians and the elite), a new degree of empowerment and action for equality (including the right to vote through women’s suffrage groups) and Labor Unions (to address the large disparities between the wealthy and poor).

What is Gilded Age fashion?

Upper-class women of this age have been compared to dolls on display dressed in glamorous finery while upper-class men sported multi-piece suits–the most popular being the morning coat or frock coat as everyday styles–and a top hat. Upper-class menswear during this time included both formal options like the tuxedo and top hat and informal options like the sack suit and double or single-breasted suits without waist seams. As for the working class, men were seen wearing a sack coat (coat, vest and trousers) and a bowler hat while poor and middle-class women mimicked the styles of upper-class women.

How is the Met Gala topic chosen?

In an interview with Vogue Columnist Max Berlinger, Head Curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Andrew Bolton explained the complexity and ever changing process of choosing the Met Gala topic. According to Bolton, "What [he tries] to do is work on a topic that seems timely, and that defines a cultural shift that’s happening or is about to happen." Additionally, “[Bolton and editor-in-Chief of Vogue Anna Wintour] always try to have a menu of shows that are dynamic, that go back and forth on subjects from the past and the present, between thematic shows and monographic ones of a single designer. We try to mix it up" (Vogue, 2020). Once the theme is chosen, the hand-selected attendees–chosen by Wintour–work with a designer of their choice to create their Met Gala look. As we've seen in previous years, each Met Gala theme is open to interpretation for attendees and their designers.

Having knowledge of the history and fashion of the Gilded Age, I felt few of this year’s attendees walked the carpet in “Gilded Glamour.” Of all the guests who attended this year’s Met Gala, I felt the individuals listed below were the best dressed and truly captured the meaning of this year's theme while staying true to themselves.

Looks I Love

Blake Lively in Versace

Rather than looking to fashion to influence the dress, this year’s Met Gala co-chair looked to New York City architecture. Lively's color-changing dress was designed by Versace and incorporates elements of several iconic New York buildings completed during the Gilded Age: Grand Central Terminal, Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Lively also wore a matching crown, which included seven tiers–in honor of the Statue of Liberty’s seven sun rays and continents. One of the most iconic elements of Lively’s dress was the bustle: a popular Gilded Age fashion element that was fuller in the back than in the front, rather than being circular.

Taylor Hill in Miss Sohee

American Model and former Victoria Secret Angel Taylor Hill was a vision in Miss Sohee and true representation of the extravagance and opulent wealth worn during the Gilded Age. Highly embellished fashion that included everything from lace and flowers to feathers and whole birds, were extremely prevalent during this period of time and were often styled by upper-class women. But beyond Miss Sohee’s beautiful and detailed embroidery, the designer incorporated a lengthy satin train–which followed Hill up the extravagant gala steps–and intricate fabric floral shaping as seen around the bodice of Hill. Though a more feminine and elegant piece of fashion sported by Hill, the model added her own touch of edge by pairing the dress with a pair of over-the-knee navy blue, satin stiletto boots that incorporated a soft yellow lace detailing. She paired the look with a curled updo and dangling earrings.

Chloe Fineman in Miss Sohee

Thought her first Met Gala, Saturday Night Live star Chloe Fineman was one of few guests who dressed in “Gilded Glamour” with the help of designer Miss Sohee. Sporting Miss Sohee’s Tiger dress from the Autumn/Winter 2022 Collection, Fineman was gilded in glamor. Common styles of dressing during this age included gowns with “…metallic embroideries of silk cords, and beads-gold, silver, steel, jet and crystal…so encrusted with metallic embroidery as to conceal the fabric on which it is wrought,” according to an 1888 issue of Harper’s Bazaar.

Hugh Jackman in Tom Ford

Actor Hugh Jackman attended the 2022 Met Gala wearing Tom Ford head to toe. Men’s Gilded Age fashion consisted of the sack suit and double or single-breasted suits, stiff, high collars and jackets–which were more frequently left unbuttoned. While shirts and waistcoats during this time were brightly colored, Jackman sported a classic black tailcoat, a white shirt and waistcoat and a matching bow tie.

Cynthia Erivo in Louis Vuitton

English actress, singer and songwriter Cynthia Erivo wore an intricate, white laced drop-waisted Louis Vuitton dress that incorporated rich monochrome patterns, layered movement and a custom feather train. But what really made a statement was Erivo’s tignon: a head scarf commonly worn by enslaved women to keep their hair up while they worked. In an interview with Emma Chamberlain and Vogue, Erivo explained the importance sustainability played in her look as the dress was made from archived Louis Vuitton pieces and the headscarf was a sheet made of tulle. While the Met Gala’s “Gilded Glamour'' theme may have first indicated the opulent wealth of the upper-class, Erivo communicated what the Gilded Age meant to her and her stylist Jason Bolden. The two communicated a message of self-made glamor and found inspiration from Louisiana history when Black women were told to cover their hair through the practice known as the tignon law. This practice was first instituted in the late 18th century during the Gilded Age until the tignon law was no longer enforced, yet Black women made the choice to continue wearing them afterwards–on their own terms–as a powerful gesture of reclamation. In an interview with Vanity Fair’s Laura Regensdorf, Erivo and Bolden emphasized the strength and courage within Black culture as “what [we’ve] watched so many people be able to do is to [turn] hardship into something that becomes desirable, fashionable, and iconic” (Vanity Fair, 2022). Erivo paired her look with a diamond snake bracelet, an assortment of rings and a Louis Vuitton Petite Malle purse.

Rosalía in Givenchy

Rosalía was nothing but elegance–and edge–at this year’s Met Gala. The singer wore an elaborately embellished “princess line” styled gown: a popular Gilded Age fashion that encompassed bodices and corsets with vertical seams, rather than horizontal ones which tightly hugged the body. The Givenchy dress included an off-white, feather bustle train, sheer, dramatic sleeves and metallic embroideries of silk cords, and beads–gold, silver, steel, jet and crystals. Together, Rosalía and Givenchy truly captured the meaning of “Gilded Glamour.”

Billie Eilish in Gucci

The 20-year-old singer may be considered one of this year’s best dressed Met Gala attendees. Billie Eilish wore an eco-friendly, champagne-colored corseted Gucci gown finished with a bustle, lace sleeves and floral detail at the bust. Eilish broke the internet with a look that was not only gilded and glamorous but made from existing materials. Corsets played an important role in Eilish's look as women in the Gilded Age considered the corset to be a standard garment that was critical in achieving the small-waist look. This piece of clothing was commonly made from plain cotton, lace, silk or other decorative materials. The Grammy winner paired the Gucci dress with an elegant updo, a pair of sparkling earrings, a black choker decorated in diamonds and an array of unique jeweled rings. Between the stars floral embroidered sleeves, slim-fitting corset, silk ruffled train and decorative details, Eilish embodied the "Gilded Glamour."

Laura Harrier in H&M

Spider-Man actress Laura Harrier was one of few stars who dressed to the Met’s “Gilded Glamour” theme. Wearing a custom made H&M black-and-silver ball gown, Harrier wore a look that was not only romantic and feminine, but modern and cool. The dress included a built-in corset (a key fashion for women of the Gilded Age to achieve desired silhouettes) a square-cut neckline (a popular style of evening gown which exposed their wearers’ chests and shoulders) and metallic embroideries that ran vertical down the front and back of the gown. Harrier accessorized the H&M custom gown with stacked, chunky pearl necklaces, matching pearl drop earrings, silver eyeshadow and gelled-back hair to achieve that polished, "Gilded Glamour" look.

Vanessa Hudgens in Moschino

Vanessa Hudgens was all the glamour AND sex appeal–with the help of Moschino and it’s creative director Jeremy Scott–at this year’s 2022 Met Gala. Taking a more risqué approach to “Gilded Glamour,” the actress and singer wore what might be described as “the Bridgerton of sheer dresses,” according to Glamour Magazine. Hosting the gala’s red carpet live stream alongside Vogue's International Editor at Large Hamish Bowles and T.V. star La La Anthony, Hudgens caught the eyes of those all around her–and online–wearing a sheer black Moschino dress. The dress featured popular Gilded Age fashions like exaggerated puff sleeves, high-necklines, feminine lace detailing along the bodice and extravagant trains. Hudgens paired the Moschino gown with black underwear, matching open-toe slingback heels, tear drop diamond earrings and a sleek braided updo–decorated with Messika jewels–to achieve a gothic gilded look.

Julia Carey in Gucci

Wife to English actor, comedian, singer, writer, producer and television host James Corden, Julia Carey was the center of attention in a custom-made, emerald green, velvet Gucci gown. The dress showcased a floral pattern and detailed fringed beading along the sleeves and across the bodice of this Gucci number. Carey sported popular Gilded Age fashions like the corset (a standard garment, critical to achieving the small-waisted look), exaggerated puff sleeves, high neckline gowns, feminine lace detailing and extravagant trains. Carey paired the Gucci dress with a pair of silver heeled sandals and diamond stud earrings, creating a sophisticated and effortless look that stayed true to the Met’s “Gilded Glamour” theme.

Nicola Coughlan in Richard Quinn

Though her first Met Gala, Nicola Coughlan didn’t come to play. The Bridgerton actress wore a custom Richard Quinn dress which drew inspiration from the lavish and extravagant 19th-century style silhouettes. The dress included a dramatic black, satin train–with feather and beaded attachments–that not only followed Coughlan, but extended alongside her gown. The star’s gown included Gilded Age fashion elements ranging from duchesse satin (a high quality, tightly woven satin made of pure, natural silk) and beaded, floral embellishments to an exposed sweetheart neckline and puffed sleeves. Coughlin paired the custom Richard Quinn gown with a pair of black gloves, Jimmy Choo court heels and Swarovski jewelry.

David Harbour in Chanel

Actor David Harbour made an entrance at this year’s Met Gala in a custom Chanel multi-piece suit, matching top hat and cane. Men’s Gilded Age fashion consisted of the sack suit and double or single-breasted suits, stiff, high collars and jackets that were more frequently left unbuttoned. Though adding a matching top hat and cane, Harbour’s look was similar to Hugh Jackman’s (a classic black tailcoat, a white shirt and waistcoat and a matching bow tie).