Met Gala 2022: Politics Stir in Fashion’s Biggest Night

On May 2, in New York’s Upper East Side, 600 guests were invited to honor the theme: “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at this year’s Met Gala. Many celebrities took inspiration from America’s Gilded Age, an era which saw America go through great development towards the end of the 19^th century. The night provided an opportunity for celebrities to show off their own perception of the time period’s style through fashion.

Former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, arrived in a dress inspired by friendship quilts that had the names of, in her own words, “gutsy women” of the 20^th and 19^th century embroidered on it. The topic of honoring of women’s progress in reaching equal rights was brought to light as news emerged that the US supreme court has voted to overturn Roe v Wade, the milestone ruling that legalized abortion in America.

Politics once again arose when socialite Kim Kardashian showed up on the red carpet in the iconic dress that Hollywood’s Golden Girl, Marilyn Monroe, wore when singing Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy in 1962.

“Every year, the Met Gala is all about fashion and everyone is showing off their wealth through that,” said Ginger B., a sophomore at AISG. “So, it’s quite refreshing to see celebrities using this platform to spread awareness about problems occurring in the world.”

“Tonight, our hearts are with the people of Ukraine and the victims of war and displacement around the world,” said World of Interiors editor, Hamish Bowles, who was seen sporting a golden tiara and a dashing matinee idol mustache. The major sponsor of the event has been reported to have donated to the red cross and encouraged others to do the same.

“I feel that fashion is sort of like a universal language to us all, and I can’t help but think it helps us with finding our identity,” said Sandy W., a freshman at AISG. “This year’s Met Gala is really different compared to previous years, and I think I really like that.”

The Met Gala, according to fashion activists, has now become a night of opportunity for inclusivity compared to its earlier days.