Met Gala 2019: The Stars Who Did Their Camp Homework

May 07, 2019

Image result for billy porter met gala gif

The Met Gala is as much a national holiday as any for fashion snobs and those who simply enjoy the act of tearing bitches to shreds for never following the event's annual theme. Nearly a decade has passed since I first became a regular spectator and nothing could interrupt my focus the second a foot steps on that carpet. It's not like I'm trying to live vicariously through the attendees, but rather see what they can accomplish with their extensive contact list of designers and of course, major cash. More often than not, it's quite disappointing to see guests stick to rather conventional evening wear. Whether it's due to fear of the avant-garde or being ignorant to the given theme, I don't see there being a good enough excuse. In celebration of art and fashion, go big or go home.

Good news, no one dressed downright awfully this year, so I'm going into this post full of positivity, even including looks that weren't necessarily on-brand, but still hot nonetheless. Let's get to it!

BILLY PORTER

Designer: The Blonds

After a suggestion by Pose creator Ryan Murphy, Porter took on Diana Ross's Egyptian-inspired look from Mahogany (read more on the film here) and injected next-level extravagance à la camp divination. The Blonds cited Pepper LaBeija, the '80s ballroom scene icon as their muse for the extremely detailed and time-consuming catsuit. Did I mention Billy was toting 10ft 24k gold wings? I think we have our winner, ladies and gentlepeople.

GEMMA CHAN

Designer: Tom Ford

I may be biased as her #1 fan BUT... which one of you is going to dare argue that this isn't goddess material? The actress revealed the glorious Swarovski adorned headpiece was inspired by the one Elizabeth Taylor wore in her 1968 film Boom. To me, this also greatly resembles what Chinese opera performers have worn for centuries, and greatly aligns with Chan's cultural pride. Lest we forget this tiny homage to the LGPTQ+ community on her bedazzled left hand!

LADY GAGA

Designer: Brandon Maxwell

The Gaga I know and love came out in full swing last night. The pieces on their own weren't all that great aside from the original flowing, electric pink gown, but the performance was there. Camp isn't only about the clothes, but how you wear them and the attitude you exude. She knew exactly what she was doing. Thank you for leaving the yeehaw at home, queen.

JANELLE MONÁE

Designer: Christian Siriano

Milliner: Sarah Sokol

Even if Picasso and Dali weren't already dead, they would be after seeing the glory of this ensemble. Janelle's style has been admired by many since her debut and she's never one to disappoint. Every inch of this gown is superb, even the back was lined with lips like vertebrae down her spine. And best of all: THE EYE BLINKS.

EZRA MILLER

Designer: Riccardo Tisci for Burberry

Make-Up Artist: Mimi Choi

One of the best examples of a man who truly defies gender roles is our dearest Ezra. He won't just paint a nail or wear a kilt and call it a day. No, he'll sit in Mimi Choi's make-up chair at 4am to get an optical illusion painted on his face, put on a diamond encrusted cage corset, and wear a Victorian-era woman's suit to the Met Gala. Speaking of genius Mimi Choi, yes, she hand-painted that mask to look like Ezra's face too.

EMILY RATAJKOWSKI

Designer: Peter Dundas

As some of you may have guessed, I spent a good amount of last night internally screaming over Cher being the night's main entertainment. Who better to pay homage to Cher's unbeatable 1974 Met Gala look than Emily with one of the hottest bodies on the planet. Opting to incorporate the feathered sleeves as an ethereal fairy headband was a marvelous choice and I'm just bitter that I'll never pull off something this sexy.

ZENDAYA

Designer: Tommy Hilfiger

Saying goodbye to her Disney days in the most elegant of ways, Zendaya stepped out in what appears to be a mash-up of Claire Danes's 2016 Met Gala dress and that of Brandy's role as Cinderella in 1997. Not sure what's more charming, the ordain carriage clutch or stylist Law Roach parading around as her fairy godmother.

LIZZO

Designer: Marc Jacobs

If Vesper Lynd was recast as a black woman, the role is Lizzo's. No inspiration for the look was reported by the star or designer but this is screaming Casino Royale 1967 Bond girl goes camp. She also kinda looks like a mega-hot red carpet strawberry shortcake ice cream.

TESSA THOMPSON

Designer: Chanel Haute Couture

Pull the lever Kronk! Okay but really I love this dominatrix Yzma stunt she's going for and was actually surprised it was Chanel. Reminds me a bit of Rei Kawakubo's work if she was designing for the next live-action Disney villain.

CÉLINE DION

Designer: Oscar de la Renta

Milliner: Joel Stewart

The vocal legend has really become a fashion god and I look forward to every event she attends. It's near impossible to hold a candle to Hedy Lamarr's star-spangled look from the 1941 film Ziegfeld Girl, but Dion took to young Judy Garland's shapeless glitter cape and crafted a couture dream.

BETTE MIDLER & SOPHIE VON HASELBERG

Designer: Michael Kors

Milliner: Stephen Jones

Bette Midler serving Winnifred Sanders in 2019? Consider me SOLD. And her daughter Sophie said F that Hunger Games chick I am the girl on fire. Didn't even know Michael Kors was capable of designs this dazzling.

TRACEE ELLIS ROSS

Designer: Moschino Couture

The dress may seem lackluster, but the message is so impactful. Lorraine O'Grady was a conceptual artist of immense importance in the '80s and '90s especially. Her art revolved around the subjectivity of black women and aimed to express how the terrors of the past and continuing racial discrimination affected her fellow black women and sought to empower them. Her famous 1983 performance piece "Art Is.." included herself and 15 African-American and Latinx volunteers holding gold frames and either framing themselves or onlookers of the parade. Seeing Tracee bring this icon to light at an event meant to cheer on art and culture is really amazing.

LENA WAITHE

Designer: Pyer Moss

Another awesome ode to culture was Lena Waithe's periwinkle pinstripe suit decked out with a powerful statement that had everyone talking. Beyond the meaningful words, I read up on the design further and found the pinstripes are actually lyrics to Diana Ross's "I'm Coming Out" and Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" which are two anthems of the black, gay, and disco-loving communities. Even more badass are the gold buttons on the front that form the faces of drag and camp icons such as Pepper LaBeija, RuPaul, and Benny Ninja.

LUPITA NYONG'O

Designer: Versace

Hair: Vernon Francis

Make-Up Artist: Nick Barose

Lupita is one of my absolute favorite actresses, philanthropists, and style icons. Seeing her walk out in star-patterned chainmail, a rainbow fan and collar that would send Queen Elizabeth flying off the throne, and the sickest gold Black Power fist laden afro picks almost had me faint. MUA Nick Barose didn't let her stop there, giving her the '80s Divine-inspired eye makeup she deserved.

LILY COLLINS

Designer: Giambattista Valli

Make-Up Artist: Fiona Stiles

Not a day passes by that I don't reminisce upon last year's Met Gala when Lily paid tribute to Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2007 Couture collection. This upgraded Priscilla Presley wedding day garb is a pretty solid follow-up especially thanks to that stunning make-up and hair.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA

Designer: Dior

If Tim Burton's ever in search of a new Mad Hatter or Red Queen, Pri's clearly got her eyes on the prize. Straight out of Burton's version of Charles Dickens's wonderland comes a delightful fairytale design breaking out of the regularly skinny, white box these characters regularly pertain to. Kudos to her for making a bold choice out of her typical red carpet range.

DANAI GURIRA

Designer: Gabriela Hearst

She didn't even have to do anything crazy to look this uniquely incredible. Danai's camp version of Oscar Wilde is now the only one I will ever remember. That cape blazer has my jaw on the floor. My girl brought out a top hat and a cane she said I don't need a rich man, I am a rich man. Phew.

ZAZIE BEETZ

Designer: Thome Brown

My other fave gender-bender suit was Zazie's dual-sided Victorian wedding fit. Business in the front party in the back. The turban being made out of tuxedo sleeves while incorporating a veil is the pièce de résistance.

JORDAN ROTH

Designer: Iris van Herpen

This is my first time seeing anyone sport one of Iris's couture pieces off the runway. This custom design was made to create the illusion of the curtains opening and closing on an opera house. Roth's career involves producing plays and owning several Broadway theaters so the cape stands as representation of his entire being.

BEAUTY

INDYA MOORE

Make-Up by Sherri Laurence