Celebrity statements at the 2021 Met Gala

OPINION By JO EARLY

Online Editor

The 2021 Met Gala was held Sept. 13, with the theme of “American Independence” to mark the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s fashion exhibition titled “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” As in years prior, celebrity attendees used their red carpet fashion to make a statement. Here are some of the night’s best, worst and most controversial looks.  

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Nikkie de Jager attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)

Best: Nikkie de Jager in Edwin Oudshoorn Couture 

YouTuber Nikkie de Jager’s beautiful tulle and floral look paid homage to the late transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson. Johnson was a leader in the Stonewall Riots, and the “P” in her name stood for “Pay it no mind,” the answer she would give when asked about her gender. Jager came out as transgender in January 2020, and later posted on Instagram about the look “Marsha P. Johnson paved the way for so many of us, and I hope I made my community proud tonight.”  

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Kim Kardashian attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Worst: Kim Kardashian in Balenciaga  

Kim has reached such a mind-boggling level of fame that she’s recognizable even without being able to see any of her. While I respect her for taking masking so seriously, I have no idea what about this look was meant to say “America.”  

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )

Controversial: Representative Carolyn B. Maloney in Antonios Couture 

This look isn’t controversial itself. Representative Maloney’s suffragette-inspired gown calls for the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment, a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution designed to guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of gender, the first version of which was proposed in 1923. The look is controversial because this isn’t the first time Representative Maloney used clothing to make a statement. In 2001, following the Sept. 11 attacks, she donned a burqa to advocate for the invasion of Afghanistan, using feminism as an excuse to push an Islamophobic rhetoric, an action she still defends. Maybe her idea of feminism is also stuck in the suffragette era.  

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: CL attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )

Best: CL in Alexander Wang 

Korean rapper CL was able to pay homage to both Korea and America in her denim hanbok-inspired look. Denim is a fabric that feels distinctly American, and the gown is tied in the front with a knot called a goreum, usually seen on hanbok. Along with Blackpink’s Rose, CL’s appearance marked the first time female K-Pop stars attended the Gala.  

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Cara Delevingne attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Worst: Cara Delevinge in Dior 

The model’s white outfit doesn’t have style or creativity, just a slogan. Luna Matatas, a queer person of color and independent artist, trademarked the phrase “Peg the Patriarchy” in 2017. I guess a white, wealthy woman appropriating a phrase from somebody less privileged than her to attempt to make a statement on feminism is appropriate to the American theme. 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (L) and Aurora James attend The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Controversial: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Brother Vellies  

AOC faced severe criticism for this look by Brother Vellies founder Aurora James. AOC also faces severe criticism for appearing in magazines, drinking coffee, talking about her past, doing her job, not doing her job, being young, being Hispanic and being a woman. I agree with the criticisms calling the look performative, but not with the critiques about wearing it to the Met Gala, where tickets cost $35,000 to attend. Where else would she have worn it? 

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