The Met Gala, known as “fashion’s biggest night out,” took place last night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Typically held on the first Monday in May, yesterday’s event paid tribute to “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” a forthcoming exhibition at the museum’s Costume Institute. The exhibition is the first in a two-part series about the emergence of American fashion. (The second exhibition, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” opens on May 5, 2022: the date of Met Gala 2022.)
Last night’s gala featured designs from emerging and notable American fashion designers: Christopher John Rogers, Michael Kors, Pyer Moss, Prabal Gurung, on the world’s most famous celebrities, models, and A-listers. Here’s what three local celebrities wore to Met Gala 2021.
Erykah Badu in Thom Browne
Erykah Badu grabbed photographers’ attention in a Thom Browne ensemble, accented by a black top hat, enveloped in a matching lace circular head garment, and dachshund shoulder bag. The undisputed queen of Dallas accented her monochrome outfit with a mixed assortment of silver and gold chains.
Leon Bridges in Bode
Leon Bridges brought the Lone Star spirit to New York in a Western-inspired outfit, constructed by CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner Emily Bode. In a Vogue livestream, the Fort Worth singer said his look was inspired by his home state of Texas. The cowboy centric look references country singers of the past, like Charley Pride.
Sha’Carri Richardson in Theophilio
American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson made her Met Gala debut in a piece by Jamaican-born designer Edvin Thompson. Richardson said the colors of her red corset bodice and black fringe skirt was inspired by the mythology of a Phoenix. “Just showing the world that no matter what you may see at the mud or the ashes, you can always rise up,” she said. “The red is fire, and always ablaze.”