It’s that time of year again, the Super Bowl of fashion is upon us. It’s almost time for the first Monday in May—also known as the Met Gala. As the fashion industry prepares to walk up the Met steps in their Monday best, let's take a closer look at what this year’s theme is and what we should expect to see on the red carpet.

What is the Met Gala?

The Met Gala started as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute in 1948. Called “the party of the year,” it was a midnight supper for New York society and has given us iconic fashion moments that can still be found on mood boards today. The gala is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC and the event happens on the first Monday in May every year. Anna Wintour, now a global chief content officer at Conde Nast, began planning it in 1995—a period when the museum wanted to reignite buzz around the Costume Institute—and turned it into an event that had representatives for celebrities calling and asking for invitations.

Source: *Dazed*
Andre Leon Talley and Anna Wintour at the 1999 Met Gala

The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum has also been seen as a pivotal point of conversation in the bridging of art and fashion. For a long time, the Met didn’t really consider fashion as an art form, symbolized in the HQ of the institute being the basement level at the museum. But over the years, the exhibitions curated by Andrew Bolton have exemplified that fashion is not only an art form, it is an art that you live your life in. Over the years, the exhibits have gained industry-wide recognition—collections like “Savage Beauty,” an exhibition on the late Alexander McQueen, coming to mind. “China Through The Looking Glass,” “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” and “Heavenly Bodies” are also some of the Met’s recent exhibitions that have gained notoriety.

What is this year’s theme?

This year, the dress code on the invitation reads, “gilded glamour,” with specific instructions to wear “white tie,” not black tie. “Dust off Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth,” Vogue explains. “The 2022 Met Gala will ask its attendees to embody the grandeur—and perhaps the dichotomy—of Gilded Age New York.”

But, what is the “Gilded Age”? Coined by Mark Twain, the “Gilded Age” term refers to the period of time from 1870 to 1890 when American innovation boomed and the upper tier of New York society thrived. It’s when all the names we know today, like Astor and Vanderbilt, built and flourished in their enormous fortunes. It’s also right around the same time Vogue was founded, in 1892.

Now I’m no history buff, but I’m thinking Bridgerton vibes (I know that’s not American, but it matches). Big, poofy dresses with powdered wigs. Regal money looks. Think Gilded Age on HBO. A real “I own 51% of this company” feel to the looks.

Although people like Tom Ford have been quoted saying “[The Met Gala] used to just be very chic people wearing very beautiful clothes going to an exhibition about the 18th century, you didn’t have to look like the 18th century,” the Met Gala has evolved over the years, giving us more over the top looks each time.

This is a really straightforward theme, with a clear idea presented to the guests, so it should be a good year on the red carpet. Let’s not forget the train wreck of a carpet we saw the year when Rei Kawakubo was the focal point of the exhibition.

This year’s theme is also slightly connected to last year’s exhibition, which focused on American fashion and redefining the way we speak about it. The Gilded Age theme might seem a little disconnected, given that the 1800s is not really something that pops into mind when thinking about American fashion. But, there does seem to be a focus on New York City high society, so we’ll let it slide Mr. Bolton!

What should we expect on the red carpet?

Now is where the fun begins! What will our favorite celebrities be wearing on the Met steps this coming Monday? Although I am not at the point where I can provide insider tea of who will be wearing what, I can at least speak on what I would hope to see on the red carpet.

These are some designers that I think will fit the bill for a myriad of reasons, whether it be that they’re American or they just fit the costume aesthetic to a T. While some designers like Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta would be safe options for the carpet, due to their classic silhouettes, I’m going a bit larger for my predictions. This is the one night a year where more is actually more—so I want to see theatrics!

Unfortunately, some of our Met Gala experts might not make an appearance at this year’s event. Zendaya has already said her schedule is too busy, and Rihanna is currently in Barbados. But for everyone else, this is what you should be looking into:

Moschino

Although Moschino is an Italian fashion house, it is helmed by Jeremy Scott, an American designer. Moschino is also known for being over the top and campy, two key characteristics for the Met steps (in my opinion). Ideally, if you had the connections, you should be trying to pull looks from Moschino’s fall 2020 RTW collection, which is heavy on the “Gilded Age” vibes.

Area

Area is an up-and-coming New York City brand that recently got permission to produce couture collections. Although Area has a young and edgy feel to it, at last year’s Met Gala it showed that it can create voluminous couture gowns—covered in crystals. If done properly, and accessorized accordingly, Area would be a hit on this year’s red carpet.

Christopher John Rogers

Another local New York face! Christopher John Rogers can work wonders with volume and color, and I think that his use of playful details on classic silhouettes will stay within the confines of the theme, while also offering something new. His fall 2020 collection showed numerous big-bodied dresses—perfect for a modern-day “Gilded Age.” One of the looks from this collection was actually featured in the first installment of this two-part exhibition.

Simone Rocha

Although Rocha is a London-based designer, her aesthetic fits the theme perfectly. Big ruffled sleeves, voluminous silhouettes, and dainty details—what more could you ask for? Rocha also offers silhouettes that differ from a classic dress shape, for those guests that want to flirt with the theme but are not fully committed. Her fall 2022 collection is perfect for the gala red carpet, you just need a little bravery and a large powdered wig!

Viktor & Rolf

If you want regal, Viktor & Rolf is the way to go! Taking on a very literal approach to the theme, the fall 2021 couture collection offers looks fit for a queen (or king). Although this collection might lean a little bit into Marie Antoinette's territory, I think it would be show-stopping on the red carpet. The looks might miss the target just slightly, but when we think about some hard misses we’ve seen in the past, Viktor & Rolf will offer options that feel regal and gilded. The historians can argue amongst themselves!

Berluti

This one is for the boys. Usually, the men on the carpet play it safe, and this year I don’t anticipate it being any different. That is why my option for men is Berluti—because they can make a really mean suit. With the right creative direction, and a change in the color palette for the faint of heart, your suit will be tailored to perfection and you’ll be ready for the Gilded Age. Their fall 2021 collection is a good starting-off point.

Pyer Moss

Our last option is also an American designer. Pyer Moss, with its creative director Kerby Jean-Raymond, recently debuted a couture collection. Focusing on American innovation, a theme also highlighted in this year’s exhibition, Jean-Raymond presented beautiful couture gowns made for a red carpet. Although some of the looks are overshadowed by large props, if you pick the right one, the carpet should be yours!

Now that you’re armed with all the knowledge needed, it’s time to start planning your looks for the Met Gala live stream on Monday. Or, you could partake virtually during the HFT (High Fashion Twitter) Met Gala event. What do you think you’ll be wearing for this year’s Met Gala? Let us know in the comments section.

Traveling to The Gilded Age: Everything You Need to Know About This Year’s Met Gala