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“She’s like the greatest camp gay dinner party, ever!” exclaimed Michael Kors of Gigi Hadid at the Met Gala. Indeed, the frosty feathered pantsuit was an extravagant mash-up of “camp” in its purest form. “It’s Liberace, it’s Cher, it’s Elton John, it’s a little Great Gatsby, a little Daisy Buchanan altogether; they all walked into the bar,” added Kors.
Forever a sumptuous feast of sartorial wonder, today’s Camp-themed Met Gala turned into a deeply referential exercise, with many attendees – and designers – citing famous figures both young and old. From living legends Elton John and Cher, to unlikely sources like Louis XIV, fashion’s most significant night proved an unexpected lesson in both history and glamour.
Here, a look at the muses who inspired some of the Met’s most memorable moments.
Gigi Hadid, Liberace, Cher, Elton John and the Great Gatsby
As mentioned above, it was a big ol’ camp party for Michael Kors and Gigi Hadid, with gay icons Cher, Elton John and Liberace all credited in the making of the sparkling pantsuit. As for Kors himself, “I’m Elton at the Prom as a ringleader!”
Judy Garland in “Ziegfeld Girl”
40s flapper meets Vegas strip; Céline Dion’s shimmering Oscar de la Renta masterpiece riffed on a young Judy Garland in the MCM classic “Ziegfeld Girl”, with a little homage to Dion’s Vegas residency thrown in for good (or extra) measure. “Judy Garland and the glitzy costumes of the Ziegfeld Follies” was designer Fernando Garcia’s inspiration for the fringed feast.
Diana Ross
Take one look at Ciara – and that hair- and it’s clear who her Met Muse was. “Tonight was inspired by Diana Ross from the 54 Club,” she told Vogue US of her emerald green, cut-away Peter Dundas gown. “The 2020 version of it all. This is fun, this is camp, we get to have fun and push the limits with fashion and that’s what I wanted to do tonight and be bold with the hair. My neck is going to be so strong tomorrow!” Indeed, a ‘fro to cause some serious whip-lash; ain’t no hair high enough for the Met Gala.
priscilla Presley
With that towering raven bouffant and perfect feline flick, Lily Collins looked like a young Priscilla Presley on her wedding day to The King. Channeling the 1967 nuptials of Priscilla and Elvis, Collins even wore white – albeit an abbreviated, ruffled version – to the Met. A modern day Mrs. Presley if we’re ever seen it.
Louis XIV of France
The word “camp” doesn’t typically conjure images of the King of France, but for newly married couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, 18th Century sovereignty is exactly the look they were going for. “The camp idea as a whole kind of lets you do whatever you want, but Louis XIV was a big one for us both,” Jonas told Vogue US. Dressed in Dior and Chopard, the couple’s noble look was extravagant, but did it rival their elaborate Indian wedding? “Oh, well I did have a 75-foot train!” Chopra exclaimed. For Jonas, the extravagance level was “tied”.
