The Met Gala's 'Last Gasp': Critical op-ed slams event for 'stream of Z-listers peddling filth and flesh'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: From Lil Nas X’s shiny thong to Jared Leto’s furry cat ensemble, the 2023 Met Gala saw it all at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This year, the “fashion’s biggest night” was themed "In honor of Karl," celebrating the creations of late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who died in 2019 at the age of 85. While many attendees chose vintage-inspired outfits, some chose monochromatic or black-and-white ensembles that paid homage to the body of work Lagerfeld produced throughout his illustrious career.
The celebs unquestionably put their most dazzling foot forward to appease the global fashion police. However, there are some spectators who are not very happy with the Gala. Writer Maureen Callahan slammed many of the celebrities for their ensembles as she called the annual affair "a desperate last gasp for elitism." "Monday night’s Met Gala was a cultural tone-setting, celebrity worship and Anna Wintour’s reign of terror," Callahan wrote in a scathing op-ed for the Daily Mail, before passing a final judgement — "Add this one-time legendary event, the subject of its own documentary called 'The First Monday in May,' to the list of flagging entities killed by Covid-19."
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‘Even Chanel makes mistakes’
The writer said, "We got a stream of Z-listers peddling filth and flesh, their thirst palpable" at the former ‘Oscars of fashion’. "Really, who among us was waiting to see what Maude Apatow, that great beneficiary of nepotism, was wearing? Her compatriot Brooklyn Beckham? Devon Aoki? Camila Morrone? Even the few true stars who attended got it wrong," she continued. As per Callahan, Margot Robbie wore a classic Chanel gown but her body "was sheathed in plastic". "Imagine the body heat trapped within. To paraphrase an infamous Real Housewife: Even Chanel makes mistakes," she continued.
Callahan said Janelle Monae "wore a cartoonish Thom Browne coat" while Doja Cat looked like "an alien feline." She also slammed LiL Nas X saying he "wore a thong and silver body paint, his face looking encrusted by some kind of parasite. (Perhaps not the best post-pandemic look.)" The columnist also spared a thought for the supposed muse of the evening. "One can only imagine what the late Karl Lagerfeld, the gala’s honoree, would have made of this mess. One thing’s for sure: Lizzo would never have made his guest list. Lagerfeld may have been a genius, but he was also a monster, earning the sobriquet Kaiser Karl for his ruthless diktats," Callahan added.
‘Soft-core porn look’
Callahan next called out Kim Kardashian’s "soft-core porn look," saying at least she didn’t ruin a one-of-a-kind historic dress, as she did with Marilyn Monroe’s beaded gown last year. "These are the people we're supposed to admire? To emulate? Glamour, it seems, is on life-support," the writer remarked in anger before taking digs at celebs for their after-party look. She pointed out that Vogue called it "Naked Dressing," in its own coverage, and called out celebs like Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, Olivia Wilde, and a very pregnant Rihanna for being in "various states of undress."
Callahan further said Monae was "the nadir," wearing "nothing but bra and panties, miming intercourse with a giant fake cat." "As anyone who has ever worn a uniform knows, it matters not where you are — you are always representing the institution. What a mark of Wintour’s lost power. Not a single invitee fears her wrath for underdressing or inelegance or besmirching the brand as a whole," said the writer. She next attacked Karl Lagerfeld while calling him "a hardcore misogynist" who was "openly critical of #MeToo". "Lagerfeld called those models who complained of industry-wide sex abuse 'stupid,' 'toxic' and 'sordid creatures,’’ she said.