CAMP

The Met Gala is my Super Bowl. It's when I decide who brought their A game to the carpet. In 2019 the theme was Camp, and in the summer of 2019 I got to visit the exhibit. It was my 3rd time visiting the The Costume Institutes exhibit and it did not disappoint. As much as I am invested in fashion, I was not aware of the true definition of CAMP. Susan Sontag wrote in her 1964 essay, “The essence of Camp is its love of the unnatural". David Bowie, Cher, and so many more embody what Camp means. Before I even talk about the celebrities on the carpet, I have to discuss the beautiful exhibit. I felt as if I was in a whole new universe full of eccentric clothing, clothing that is truly art. Wether dresses made from money, or designs based on the concept of t.v dinners. Every single piece in the exhibit was extraordinary in its own way. What I loved so much about this exhibit is that is pushed new boundaries that many don't see in the world of fashion, unless they look through every designers collection dating back from the 90's like me. To me visiting these exhibits is my front row seat to a fashion show, very different from an actual fashion show but I'll take it. Every year I look forward to visiting the Met, seeking new inspiration and a new love for fashion.

Now it's time to discuss the red carpet at the Met Gala, and I can't even lie I absolutely love looking at these photos. When it comes to me judging the looks I can always say "Yeah, that's a great look", but what matters more to me is that celebrities are following the theme to me that is most important. I'm gonna discuss a series of looks which I liked, disliked, or absolutely loved. Of course I would just like to note, that none of these photos are mine. Also these are only a few of the many looks that graced the Met steps.

15. At 15 we have Ashley Graham in Gucci. This was one of the 1st looks I saw, and honestly I was disappointed, Gucci knows how to go all out, and Ashley Graham is one who is known for her style, I just think she played it safe. Now I did love the hair but nothing screamed out to me calling this look CAMP, I just wish she went all in with her outfit like she did her hair.

14. Now I absolutely love me some J.Lo, I don't think I've ever met someone who didn't like her. At the 2019 Met Gala she wore Versace. Now you may say but this is CAMP and while it is I can count a number of times where J.Lo has worn an outfit just like this. That's why I was so disappointed to see this because she has pushed boundaries before for instance in 2017 she wore the most sensational blue Valentino dress. The headpiece was different and I appreciated it, but I just know she can do so much better.

13. Before anyone gets seriously mad at me I just need to make it clear, Zendaya has some of the best style in the game and I absolutely adore her. Zendaya opted to wear Tommy Hilfiger fittingly since the pair collaborated to create a 2019 Fall/Winter Collection. With that being said I wasn't impressed by this Met Gala look, I do though love the concept and find it quite impressive to mixing technology and fashion. But it just looked cheap, the fabric didn't look up to par. What I can always say about Zendaya's Met Gala looks is she never shy's away from the theme and I love that tremendously.

12. I've been a fan of Katy Perry since I was a young girl and she likes to do things out of the box (is that even a saying). She opted to wear Moshcino to the 2019 Met Gala. I have to give her credit that must have been very heavy to wear, and it is EXTREMELY campy. But, I must say the first time I saw this I immediately thought of Beauty and the Beast, she wasn't a candlestick or a clock but she was the chandelier. There is such a thing as going over the top, as Coco Chanel says, "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off".

11. This is one of my favorite looks Hailey Bieber has ever worn, from the hair to the makeup to the dress I absolutely love this look. Dressed in Alexander Wang the open back with the high thong brings a different aspect of CAMP. For many stars it is hard to push to new boundaries when it comes to fashion. My reasoning for it being number 11 on this list is because it's very simple. But I won't even lie its absolutely stunning.

10. Lets just say if I saw Candice Swanepoel in the street I would turn around and go home. She is absolutely stunning. She wore a blue Prabal Gurung gown for the 2019 Met Gala. I can't deny that she can pull off anything she wears which helps. But it's truly the train of the dress which represents the CAMP side, with the addition of the styling of her hair. From the front it may be simple but once she turns around it's all CAMP.

9. I know she may be a world known model, but I give any lady credit who's willing to expose themselves, because it does take a lot of confidence. Bella Hadid stunned as always in her Moschino gown. While writing this it occurred to me that Bella has only ever worn a black ensemble to the Met Gala, can't lie that makes her lose some points, I wish she would try a new color. Jermey Scott knows CAMP, and this dress proves so. It's just the right amount with open sides, gloves covered in jewels, and of course the pixie haircut helps. She looks stunning while also following the theme, which if you can't tell I love.

8. Emily Blunt wowed in Michael Kors. She hadn't been to the Met Gala in 3 years, and looking back at her past outfits, this is THE BEST ONE YET. She looks like a golden goddess. The dress took over a thousand hours to put together, and she took the time with Kors to look and study Camp icons. Everything in this look comes together so well, it focuses on style while not going overboard, with perfectly matching hair and makeup.

7. When it comes to Lily Collins and the Met Gala she is never afraid to go for the theme, and I absolutely adore her for it. She showed up to the 2019 Met Gala wearing Giambattista Valli, paying homage to Priscilla Presley's Wedding Day look to Elvis Presley. Wearing a beautiful ruffle gown, while also having teased hair, and purple eyeshadow takes a lot of guts. It's out there which is what Camp is all about experimenting the unknown. (Also I always appreciate some Cartier jewelry)

6. What's crazy to me is that this was only the 2nd time Celine Dion had attended the Met Gala. Giving you 21st century flapper girl realness in Oscar De la Renta. The look was inspired by the infamous Judy Garland, and the film Ziegfeld Girl. I've never seen a look quite like this, but I absolutely fell in love with it. The feathered headpiece, which may not look like it but weighed 22 pounds. The look radiates glamour and camp.

5. Now before I even discuss this look may I just say picking these top 5 looks was HARD. But, here is Janelle Monáe wearing Christian Siriano embodying the meaning of Camp. Hats galore, a blinking eye on the breast, what more could you possibly ask for? The look was inspired by Pablo Picasso, particularly the work he made in the 1990's. Two opposite sides made into one dress, and I don't think anyone but Janelle Monáe could pull off this look.

4. I won't lie I always wonder what Kim Kardashian is going to wear to the Met Gala and from years past this is definitely in my top looks from her. Inspired by California girls, Thierry Mugler created what they called the "wet look", made out of silicone. Her waist is barely visible, snatched for the Gods, I wonder truly how she even breathed. The look is executed from the top of her head to her toes, with hair with jewels supposed to be looking wet, to crystals on her feet. It truly is amazing to think that dresses like this can be designed.

3. Now I've had problems with the Jenner girls looks in the past, not because they weren't beautiful but because they didn't follow the theme. I can say they totally nailed it this time and I'm sooo happy that Kylie choose to wear this purple Versace number instead of the blue one she wore for the after party. Both sisters wowed in Versace wearing feathers, for some reason the looks reminded me of Old Hollywood glamour which I'm obsessed with. I can only hope that in the years to follow the girls will continue to stick to the theme.

2. Cardi B has attended the Met Gala twice, and she is never afraid to embrace it full force. She showed up in Thom Browne. Cardi B stated that the dress was inspired by feminism by accenting the female body. While it can be called extravagant it does not go over the top, keeping enough attitude and elegance all at the same time. I praise Cardi B for stepping out of the box, and creating what she believes Camp is.

1. Are you surprised, probably not. Lady Gaga put on a whole performance for photographers and fans, when she debuted her multiple looks at the 2019 Met Gala. She was co-host of the Met Gala which probably helped her and her team to create an amazing red carpet moment that will go down in history. Her longtime friend and designer Brandon Maxwell created the epic looks she wore. Gaga said the first time she tried on the pink dress it catapulted her to a childlike place. Her style told a story, relating to Susan Sontag's essay that, "Camp is its love of the unnatural", pushing boundaries and barriers just as Lady Gaga did in her storytelling through fashion.

These are only some of the looks that graced the steps of the Met, each individually brings something different to the table. Again these are not my photos and if you wish to learn more about any of these looks or the Met Gala go to Vogue.com.