JOANNE Watkinson
PAST WAS PERFECT FOR MET GALA
THE theme for last week’s Met Gala, as chosen by organiser Anna Wintour, was Gilded Glamour.
Given the Vogue editorin-chief’s reputation for being scathing about those who dare to drag down the calibre of her glittering event, I like to believe this theme was a polite way of ensuring celebrities avoided novelty gowns.
Gilded Glamour doesn’t leave much leeway for hamburger dresses (see Katie Perry at the Gala in 2019) or full body stockings (Kim Kardashian 2021).
It demanded the guests, or rather their stylists, looked to the past for inspiration: old Hollywood, timeless elegance.
Some took the theme quite literally. Kim Kardashian, keen for fashion redemption no doubt, opted for the exact dress Marilyn Monroe wore to serenade President JFK in 1962 – albeit for just 10 minutes.
The gown is so valuable it is kept in a temperaturecontrolled vault in Florida, meaning Kim had to change into a replica for the rest of the evening.
While the reality star’s Marilyn moment might have been a carefully controlled PR stunt, Kim looking to vintage wasn’t new. The 41-year-old has been wearing archive pieces for some time, although how much she appreciates the environmental benefit of
vintage remains to be seen.
Other celebrities chose their gowns with climate change absolutely in mind.
Billie Eilish’s Gucci gown was custom-made from upcycled fabrics, while Emma Stone took her Louis Vuitton wedding dress for a second spin. And they weren’t the only ones showcasing sustainable looks.
It confirmed for me that the stigma of wearing pre-loved is slowly slipping away.
If dresses we have seen before can be worn at high-profile events, when the images will be beamed around the world, mere mortals need to remember not to be too precious, especially when it comes to our own special occasion dresses that are rarely afforded multiple outings.
The rental market is growing and occasion wear is its strong point.
Websites such as Herr, Rotaro, By Rotation and Girl Meets Dress are making it easier than ever to hire a gown for a big event. These are new season clothes from contemporary brands, all available for rent, some from as little as £30.
If you have ever dreamed of wearing a designer dress but couldn’t justify the price, renting is a game changer, proving that sustainable and super fancy are not mutually exclusive.