The MET Gala is one of the most — if not the most — iconic events in the fashion industry. Put on by Vogue Magazine, the charity gala that takes place in May at the New York Metropolitan museum every year has only the most important A-Listers. Only, for lack of a better term, in the last few years, the MET Gala has flopped. It has failed to both provide the fashion it has always promised and the A-List themes that have always made headlines. In fact, it’s so extreme that it perhaps may even become — in the very, very far off future — irrelevant. So, how can we change it and make it relevant once again? Easy. Let me, Ivana Rodriguez, plan it.
The Theme
It is not that the themes have been lacking; it’s that the celebrities simply either don’t follow or somehow manage to come in the most atrocious outfits known to man. Anna Wintour is in charge of approving what everyone wears to the gala, having a say in everything. It is clear that she has lost her touch. I would require everyone to be rigidly on theme and have nothing less than the most spectacular, and if they weren’t I would simply ban them from the event.
So what would the theme be? Simple. Mythology in Hand– A Lexicon of Cultural Fashion. Everyone would be encouraged to don outfits based off of myths and folklore from their specific personal cultures. Guests would pay homage to their cultures and personal history by dressing in fashion inspired by the stories that shaped their countries. For example, someone of Mexican culture could do a La Llorona inspired ball gown. Someone of Greek heritage would be able to dress in the glamor of a Greek Goddess, and so on. Even in the United States, guests would be encouraged to dress inspired by heroes such as Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed.
The theme would serve not only as major inspiration, but also to remind people of the true meaning of fashion. To embrace what created us, what shaped us into who we are today. Take inspiration from what has shaped generations and transform it into something completely new and wearable. Give new meaning to old myths. More recognition of overlooked cultures. To truly embrace who you are with fashion.
The Met Gala Red Carpet Host
The Met Gala Red Carpet Host is in charge of interviewing practically all of those on the Red Carpet, asking information about their inspirations and outfits for the Vogue Red Carpet Livestream. Vanessa Hudgens was the host last year, and while she did a great job, she lacks relevancy. The perfect host for the 2023 Met Gala Red Carpet would definitely be Zendaya. A fashion icon, Gen–Z inspiration, and an all around It–Girl, Zendaya would be more than perfect for the role. She would pull in millions of viewers and make them stay with her personality as she interviewed her peers.
The Co–Chairs
As my goal is to revive the MET Gala, I will be choosing Co–Chairs who I believe to represent the future and current state of fashion and style. Last year had Lin–Manuel Mirana, Regina King, Blake Reynolds, and Ryan Reynolds as Co–Chairs. There is nothing necessarily wrong with them, it’s only that they appeal to a more millennial audience. My goal is to completely transform the MET Gala to get Gen-Z to start talking about it again. My choice of Co-Chairs would be Sophia Coppola, Taylor Swift, Jenna Ortega, and Ed Sheeran. Now, I’m sure of what you’re thinking. Ivana, the first three women are just people that literally every 16 year old girl is obsessed with, what is the variety? And why is Ed Sheeran on the list? Is he still a celebrity?
My decision for Sophia Coppola, Taylor Swift, and Jenna Ortega is based solely off of their previous works. Sophia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides and Marie Antoinette have had a recent resurgence with Gen Z, who have strongly identified with her interpretations of the whimsical point of view that many hold on the world, specifically mang girls hold on the world. Taylor Swift has proven herself to be quite the director herself, directing her own music videos such as Cardigan and Bejeweled, both of which hold the exact type of magical energy I would want at the gala. Jenna Ortega has made quite the splash in the fashion world herself, fully embracing gothic styles that I believe would go perfectly to balance out Coppola and Swift.
As for Ed Sheeran, I just think he’s a cool guy.