Kori Barnes 
The battle of the elite and fashion hunger games is finally making its big return for the upcoming 2021 season. Although the date for the Met Gala may have changed for this stylish event, it will still be based in New York and gathering more attention now than ever.
Despite the Met Gala usually taking place on the traditional first Monday in May, it was officially announced that it’ll be held on September 13th. Thus, making this event one of the first red carpet and highly anticipated events of the year. If you miss seeing how some of the A-list celebrities come dressed to impress on your social media platforms, you won’t be deprived from seeing these looks hit your timelines for much longer. One of the most intricate aspects of the Met Gala is the different themes that it takes on each year. The 75th anniversary of the Costume Institute is being celebrated at this upcoming gala with the theme of: American Fashion.
It was recently announced that youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman will co-chair this year’s Met Gala alongside tennis champ Naomi Osaka, Grammy-winner Billie Eilish, and actor Timothée Chalamet. As co-chairs, Gorman, Osaka, Eilish, and Chalamet, will help host and plan the event alongside Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and this year’s honorary chairs, designer Tom Ford and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri. The Met Gala event is considered one of the most exclusive events in the fashion calendar. According to CNN, only invited guests can attend this special occasion that has a ticket price starting at $35,000 per person.
One of the most jaw-dropping moments in Met Gala history (and personally a favorite of mine) is of the IT girl herself: Rihanna. When Rihanna debuted this one of a kind yellow draping gown on her brown skin in 2015, all eyes were demanded to rest upon her. “I’m so in love with this dress, but the train is insane!” Rihanna told VF.com on the red carpet. “I can’t really walk in it without any help—but it’s so worth it. I love this dress so much! It’s Chinese couture and it’s made by Guo Pei. It’s handmade by one Chinese woman and it took her two years to make. I found it online.” If you need a reminder of this legendary look (which you shouldn’t and if you do, I’m definitely judging you), here’s a recap of the moment below.
What’s the hype surrounding the Met Gala you might ask? In a nutshell, this epic event is one of the strongest and most appreciated expressions of fashion and its history. It paves the way and gives recognition to all the designers within the fashion society and upholds fashion to the status of art that it truly is. It gives respect to the designer’s imagination, the craftsmanship and detail, and the overall aesthetic that gives inspiration to all of the very clothing items we wear now. Essentially, this is where the history of fashion and couture starts.
By Kori Barnes, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Instagram: @korixnicole
