I owe Lainey an apology. We were discussing the Met Gala theme—“Garden of time” to go with the “Sleep Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” exhibit in the museum—and she was down on it, predicting a boring event. 

 

I, however, defended it, hopeful that a broad, accessible theme might lead more people to take chances, but boy, was I wrong. It was a boring event. Drab, even. The lesson I learned this year is that the more generic the Met Gala theme, the worse the fashion will be. Specific themes with a high degree of difficulty, like “camp” and “heavenly bodies”, seem to inspire more risk as people rise to the occasion. But if you give them something broad, the attendees will rest on their pretty laurels and call it a night. Still, there were a few looks that caught my eye by virtue of being shiny.

 

Of the shiny set, Keke Palmer takes the cake, in a custom Marc Jacobs gown reminiscent of fishing net. I don’t think that was the intended reference, but it’s where my mind went. With a sky-high ponytail and bedazzled makeup, she looked spectacular. Single and shining!

 

I also really loved Gabrielle Union’s literal mermaid gown, with a fish scale motif and aqua ombre effect (by Michael Kors, which is shocking to me because when I think “Michael Kors” I think black dresses and handbags). Dwyane Wade wore a coordinating but not matchy-matchy lilac suit by Versace. 

 

Michelle Yeoh wore a Balenciaga gown inspired by tin foil, and sported a new bob, and once again, I am reminding myself I do not have the bone structure for a bob. Looks great on her, though. (What doesn’t?) Also working with Balenciaga was Serena Williams in a gold laminated taffeta gown with an epic train. I don’t know if this will make sense, but I hate the dress yet love the styling? Like I don’t think there’s any way for that material to look anything other than cheap, but I like how the total look is put together, with the gloves and hair and jewelry. 

 

Venus Williams was also there, in a mirrored gown by Marc Jacobs. A lot of designers interpreted the “time” part of the theme to mean fragile textiles that can only be worn once, they’re so delicate, and indeed, Venus broke one of her little mirrors. The more I look at this dress, though, the more I like it. It’s sort of like wearing a disco ball. And Venus’s hair is GREAT. There was a lot of really good hairstyling last night.

 

Finally, I would like to draw attention to Rachel Zegler. It’s not that I love this blue gown and opera cloak. It’s pretty, the color looks great on her, but it’s not earth-shattering or anything. HOWEVER, this is a MUCH less annoying interpretation of “Disney princess” than anyone else—ahemArianaGrande—did last night, mainly because it evokes Cinderella without literally looking like Cinderella. A lot of people leaned into the Disney princess thing because of “Sleeping Beauties”, and this is one of the least obnoxious takes on it. Fitting for Snow White.