Every year on the first Monday of May, all of our favorite celebrities, designers, and models gather at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for the Met Gala Ball. This event is a charity fundraiser for The Met’s Costume Institute. This year’s theme was “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” This theme was planned to honor the life and legacy of Karl Lagerfeld, a designer who recently passed after a hugely successful career in fashion. He was known for his work with many luxury fashion houses such as Chanel and Fendi.
As music fans, this event might not seem important to us. However, seeing our favorite artists express themselves on the Met carpet is another way to understand them as musicians. Fashion has played an important role in music, creating concepts like eras for different album cycles, artists appearing on runways, or even providing artists with iconic pieces. Last night was no exception and the biggest and best musicians brought their A-Game. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite and least favorite looks.
Best Dressed: Dua Lipa
As one of this years co-chairs, everyone had high expectations for Dua Lipa’s look. She did not disappoint and brought the best look of the night, before everyone else got there. The dress is a classic ball gown designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the 1995-1996 Chanel runway. Like her fashion, Dua Lipa brings perfection to the table. Her albums have had long hiatuses in between, and new music from her has come in droplets since the 2020 release of Future Nostalgia. However, despite this wait, she brings her best and makes even the longest wait worth it. I look forward to all of her future endeavors in fashion and music, with her long awaited third studio album arriving sometime this year.
Worst Dressed: Jack Harlow
As an artist, Jack Harlow has massive appeal. His hits include the earworm “First Class“, his breakthrough “What’s Poppin” and a fantastic feature on the song “Industry Baby“. As a hitmaker, it comes as no surprise why he was invited to this years Met Gala. Hopefully, this look will cause him to not be invited back. Designed by Tommy Hilfiger, this look is different from most of the male looks we saw last night. Generally, men have a habit of showing up to the Met in a typical suit. Jack Harlow choose to go a different route with a button up jacket, pants and dress boots. Nothing about this outfit is unique to Karl, and it’s another addition to the long line of male mediocrity on carpets.
Most Innovative: Doja Cat
When Doja Cat stepped out of her hotel room covered by umbrellas, we knew she was hiding something. As a musician, Doja Cat is not afraid to step outside the box. Songs like ‘Rules’ or ‘Get Into It (Yuh)‘ showcase Doja Cat’s signature eclectic rapping style and set her apart from most of the female rap game. This looks fully showcases this brand. She chose to dress up as Karl’s cat, named Choupette. As weird as this might sound, this is the best iteration of cat-themed attire last night. Doja wore prosthetics to maintain the cat look, as well as ears on the Oscar de la Renta designed gown. If her next album is as eclectic as this look. I cannot wait to hear it.
Most Surprising: Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny is an artist at the peak of his career. Coming off of a headlining set at Coachella, as well as a major tour and album cycle, he is untouchable in the music industry. Bad Bunny is not just a peak musician, he is known for being a fashionable star, wearing looks spanning from shorts and a t shirt, to a dress on a Harper’s Bazaar cover. Despite this, I did not expect this kind of look from him tonight. The outfit, designed by Jacquemus, features a suit with an added rose piece flowing from the arms down across nearly the entire carpet. The look isn’t just bold and elegant, it’s a perfect encapsulation on Karl’s style and his legacy in fashion.
Most Disappointing: Ben Platt
To give Ben credit, this look is on theme for Karl Lagerfeld. Many of his signature design elements are present in the look. However, Ben’s status as a top male vocalist should earn him a better look. Something about the design elements are off, and do not compliment the look. In addition, as a Broadway star, it is interesting to see him dressed as a marching band player. While it’s amazing Broadway is represented at one of NYC’s biggest nights, let’s hope they can shine next year.
Here at Mic Drop Music, we want to know what was your favorite Met Gala look! Who was the best dressed? Which looks flopped? Let us know in the comments below!
