Camping out at the Met Gala – from Jared Leto to Billy Porter, how the men stole the show
The theme of fashion’s biggest night out was ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’, which was interpreted any number of ways. One thing is certain, though, the belles of this year’s ball were the boys
The theme for this year’s Met Gala, the annual party that celebrates the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, was “camp”, as in flamboyant, over-the-top fashion.
It was the perfect opportunity for guests to go wild with their outfits and the rare red-carpet occasion where fashion faux pas were welcome rather than frowned upon.
Women, however, didn’t embrace the theme as exuberantly as the men did. Except for a few exceptions, such as Katy Perry in a chandelier dress from Moschino, Celine Dion in an Oscar de la Renta Las Vegas-ready tasselled jumpsuit and Serena Williams in a Versace confection that was a reminder of the “omelette” dress worn by Rihanna that went viral in 2015, female guests’ idea of camp was conveyed through a smattering of feather appliqués, fluffy ruffles and lots of sequins.
The guys, on the other hand, went all out. From actor Jared Leto in a red Gucci ensemble accessorised with a severed head in his own likeness to director Ryan Murphy and Vogue’s Hamish Bowles in stunningly decorated capes, it was a feast for the eyes. Darren Criss deserves a special mention for his make-up, which was a perfect match for his heavily beaded Balmain jacket.
The piece de resistance, however, was Billy Porter in a winged sequinned jumpsuit from The Blonds, the most daring and unapologetically camp outfit of the night.