MET GALA 2017!
It's the most wonderful time of the year! For the fashion obsessed at least. May means flowers, *NYSNC jokes and most importantly, the MET Gala. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala is a fashion centered showcase for industry power players. From Anna Winton and Andre Leon Talley, to Beyonce, Victoria Beckham and countless more, it is the highest honor to be not only invited to the event, but a golden ticket to present a design.
Each year the MET has a themed event, kind of like an exclusive giant costume party for A+ listers while the rest of the world drools at home in their food stained clothes. As star studded as this event may be, the MET Gala has also been in the spotlight for its instances of cultural appropriation, specifically with their 2015 theme, "China: Through the Looking Glass."
Remember when RIH RIH slayed that year's MET Gala? I mean, straight up snatched Anna Wintour's wig off and left everyone else for dead at the end of the red carpet?? Well, for a themed event centered around Chinese culture, she was one of the few celebrities who actually wore a gown created by a Chinese designer (Guo Pei). In fact, that year's Gala though meant to celebrate Chinese culture barely included authentic Chinese designs by actual Chinese designers. Furthermore, the presentations of some outfits were publicly admitted to be influenced by stereotypical and outdated versions of Chinese people and their culture.
Don't get me wrong; the entire exhibit was aesthetically beautiful! There was no limit on creativity or effort from the layout to the small decorations details. Responsibly, the event’s directors hired Chinese director Wong Kar Wai to help create an authentic atmosphere and ensure cultural sensitivity. However, it fell a bit short. Don't take my word for it, watch the Netflix documentary: "The First Monday in May."
The fifth most visited exhibit of the MET’s history with over 800,000 visitors and $12.5 million raised, it proved success can be achieved through cultural diversity. So what does it mean for tonight's Gala? With this year's theme on Japanese designer, Rei Kawakubo and her fashion line Comme des Garçons, it will be interesting to see how Western designers and creatives pay homage to this designer, both due to the fact that she is a woman and a Japanese designer. Will the designers, celebrities and overall Gala presentation more accepting of the contemporary version of Japanese culture that is a multi-dimensional? Or will it unfortunately evert back to the stereotypical American perception of what they think Japanese means?
Let’s hope they prove us wrong!
(images via vogue, bustle, pinterest, the new yorker, cnn style)
