Met Gala Slammed for 2022 Theme Choice
After announcing this year's theme "Gilded Glamor," many social media users accused the Met Gala planners of insensitivity in light of the brewing war in Ukraine.
After the first edition of the Met Gala's “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" theme in September 2021, the Fashion's Night Out returns this year to continue the exhibition with creations by American designers since the 1940s. Hollywood's biggest stars will parade up the stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, but this time, the second leg of the parade will focus on "Gilded Glamour." However, the choice caused controversy on social media, for embracing the glitz, glamor, and opulence.
But what does “Gilded Glamour” mean in the fashion world? In a literal way, “gilded” refers to the word golden, alluding to the idea of wealth and sophistication. Glamor is the special appeal or charm that a person or object possesses. In other words, whoever goes to this year's Met Gala should splurge a lot on gold, pearls, diamonds, and hourglass silhouettes. One of the main inspirations of this year's event, specifically, will be the royalty of the Golden Age.
According to New York Times Fashion Editor Vanessa Friedman, the focus will be on celebrities arriving well-dressed, flaunting the idea of wealth. As a result, the theme choice didn't sit well with many who accused the Met Gala of political insensitivity in light of the war taking place in Ukraine.
On social media, netizens reacted. "Golden glamor in times of war, let them eat cake," said influencer Bryanboy.
“This year's Met Gala is going to piss people off. Is the theme golden glam? And with everything going on this year, yeah people are going to be pissed lol,” said another.
The 2022 Met Gala will be hosted by Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Oscar winner Regina King, and director, screenwriter, and star of the Broadway musical Hamilton Lin-Manuel Miranda.