BEST OF THE MET GALA 2019 x CAMP: NOTES ON FASHION

Monday, 6 May 2019

DEFINITION OF CAMP:

"something so outrageously artificial, affected, inappropriate, or out-of-date as to be considered amusing; a style or mode of personal or creative expression that is absurdly exaggerated and often fuses elements of high and popular culture."

-Mariam Webster Dictionary

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK—Oh, the first Monday in May. Is there any other day like it for fashion enthusiasts? This years theme, "Camp: Notes on Fashion", draws from a 1964 essay by Susan Sontag—but we've been serving Camp looks since the 17th century. The LAUR interpretation of Camp is the unexpected, purposefully exaggerated, artificially created, textbook example of extra in the best way.

Anna Wintour brought Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Serena Williams and Alessandro Michele together to host this years Met Gala. With every star that graced the pink carpet, I became more and more impressed with how much of an effort to stay on theme there seemed to be—which, if you know anything about how Met Galas usually go, is incredibly rare.

HOW GAGA TURNED THE MET GALA INTO THE MET GAGA

MET GAGA—What Beyoncé did for Coachella, Lady Gaga did for the Met Gala. In essence, she shut down the show before it even started. Gaga began in a custom Brandon Maxwell piece before stripping down three times to reveal a total of four killer Maxwell looks. This was a MAJOR moment that will go down in history as the most iconic Met Gala moment yet. Not to mention—this was all done in the most melodramatic, performative, and campy way possible. It's simply in Gaga's nature to put on a show. She re-invented Camp. Period.

BEST DRESSED: LILY COLLINS

LILY OF THE VALLEY—Looking back on last years Met Gala post, I put Lily Collins at #2 on my best dressed list. Well, there was no settling for second place this year. Serving Priscilla Presley meets Lana Del Ray vibes, Lily was undoubtedly my personal favourite. Lily took us to the chapel embodying the perfect camp bride in a white Giambattista Valli ruffle gown with a dreamy floor-sweeping train. Trading a bridal veil for a thick white headband, Lily channeled Priscilla Presley's wedding day look with an over the top bouffant teased-to-the-gods with dainty flowers all throughout. Lily continued paying homage to Priscilla with the quintessential '60s makeup look—thick, bold lashes and liner with a pop of pastel eye shadow behind, finished with a glossy pale lip. Totally Twiggy. Yes, Rihanna will always remain the Met Gala Queen, but I'm crowning Lily the Princess.

ON THEME: SERVING CAMP REALNESS
And now, for the rest of my personal favourites—on the basis of who fit the theme best (in no specific order).

Yara Shahidi in Prada

Céline Dion in Oscar de la Renta

Kacey Musgraves in Moschino (CAMP BARBIE!)

Janelle Monae in Christian Siriano

Aquaria in Maison Margiela by John Galliano

Kendall Jenner in Versace

Kylie Jenner in Versace

Ciara in custom Dundas

MEN IN CAMP
In last years post, I challenged the men to take note of the theme and bring their A game, and that is exactly what they did. So, here they are (in no specific order).

P.S: I crown Ezra Miller Camp KING.