Hillary Clinton returns to Met Gala after 21 years, pays tribute to inspiring US women with gown
Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady and Secretary of State, walked the red carpet of the star-studded Met Gala 2022 wearing a red satin off-the-shoulder Joseph Altuzarra gown. The dress included long sleeves, subtle pleating, and a meaningful detail: Clinton had her gown embroidered with the names of American women who inspire her. Among the 60 historical figures were names like Abigail Adams, Harriet Tubman, and Eleanor Roosevelt. She opted for subtle glam for the gala, consisting of a rosy-pink lip and voluminous blown-out hair, and accessorized with gold drop earrings.
Talking to Vanessa Hudgens and Bowles on the red carpet, she said “I think we’re all happy to be back together, supporting the museum and the costume institute and also celebrating America." “Not just fashion of America, but really the spirit of America.” When thinking about her own outfit for the gala, Clinton said she talked with Altuzarra who suggested the idea of embroidery. “I would’ve filled the entire dress,” she said with a laugh. “We decided to stick with women who were no longer with us. “It also reflected Joseph’s interest in what were called ‘friendship quilts’ that women used to embroider sayings or phrases or their names of family or friends,” she continued.
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While chatting with Vogue ahead of the event, designer Joseph Altuzarra opened up about the meaning behind Clinton's ensemble for this year's theme, In America: An Anthology of Fashion: "For better or worse, whatever she wears is dissected and analyzed so thoroughly that you have to be very thoughtful about the choices that you make," Altuzarra said. "Obviously, I was thinking about making her look great, but I was also thinking about the story she's going to be telling through this dress, and how she would actually vocalize that when people ask her about it. I wanted that story to be something she felt a personal connection to."
During her last appearance, the former Secretary of State wore a cheetah print evening gown, themed Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years, which she accessorized with a shiny, oversized brown shawl and a smattering of iridescent jewelry pieces. While the notable attendee certainly looked at home at the star-studded 2022 Met Gala, the appearance marked her first time returning to the event since 2001. This is the first time in 20 years Clinton has attended the Met Gala, telling journalist Hamish Bowles she “promised” she’d only come “every 20 years.”
