The most important element of every invitation is certainly the dress code.
Since 1995, the annual Met Gala has upheld its position as the most coveted invite of the season, and the one equipped with the most rigorous standards of dressing.
For 2022, fashion’s night of nights is inviting their prestigious attendees to interpret the theme ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’.
If you think this subject sounds familiar, you’d be correct. It’s an extension of last year’s theme ‘In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion’.
If you cast your mind back, you’ll remember some hot takes on the exploration of how American fashion is presented, examined and defined. A literal definition of the different meanings of what makes fashion innately ‘American’.
We had nodes to the golden age of American cinema with 1950’s Hollywood inspired gowns, homages to quintessential American tropes like denim and Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars (worn by Timothée Chalamet) and even a gesture to the Statue of Liberty.
Now, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is once again challenging their guests to come dressed to their likings by donning looks from the period du jour—the Gilded Age of New York.
That’s right, the category is Gilded Glamour.
If your interest in certain historical dramas like Bridgerton and Gilded Age has been piqued, then you may already have a faint idea of what to expect from this illustrious soiree.
And if you think that Regencycore is no longer relevant, then just wait to see what our favourite emerging and established designers have in store.
Ahead of the 2022 Met Gala, we’ve rounded up what you can expect to see from the stylish stars on the red (gold?) carpet.
What Is The 2022 Met Gala Theme?
As explained, the 2022 Met Gala theme is ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’ with a specific focus on ‘Gilded Glamour’. TL;DR: 2022 Met Gala = Gilded Glamour.
This is the Met Gala’s elaborate way to invite guests to personify the luxurious and ostentatious fashion of New York’s style scene from the 1870 to 1890.
Guests will don white tie attire: the most ornate and formal of all dress codes. Typical tropes of Gilded Glamour are synonymous with 19th century fashion.
Think boutonnières, top hats, tailcoats and white bow ties for men and opera gloves, crinoline skirts, tulle bodices and a plethora of intricate embroidery for women.
Of course, as we all know, the fashion at the Met Gala is never what it seems.
Considering the future of fashion is a genderless approach to dressing, we can expect some of our favourite female celebrities to dress in typical masculine codes, with many male celebrities following the likes of Harry Styles and Troye Sivan donning ball gowns.
We’re picturing a red carpet filled with looks inspired by Kid Cudi’s 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards and couldn’t be more excited.
Given that the guests will be taking cues from the upper echelon of 19th century high society, we’re hoping that our Bridgerton favourites Phoebe Dynevor, Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey will be in attendance and present their own spin on the regency style dressing that differs from their on-screen characters.
Has ‘Gilded Glamour’ Appeared On The Runway?
Given that many of our favourite luxury maison’s were actually founded during the Gilded Age, we can imagine legacy brands would be referencing their own archives for the event.
Of course, when it comes to Gilded Glamour, the haute couture runways are also a source of inspiration for designers. For the recent Spring/Summer Haute Couture season, Chanel and Dior focused on the savoir faire of embroidery in the early 20th century.
For their Spring/Summer 2022 collection, Louis Vuitton explored the transcendent nature of the 19th century style by pairing these codes with modern aesthetic. With wide-hip silhouettes and delicate embroidery, here’s hoping this collection will get its time in the sun at the Met Gala.
As for who else would nail the Gilded Glamour theme? Given Rodarte and Simone Rocha have both become pioneers of the hyper feminine and avant garde dress, we’d love to see the world’s most chic celebs don their creations for the evening.
When Will The 2022 Met Gala Take Place?
As always, the Met Gala will take place on the first Monday in May.
For 2022, the Met Gala will occur on Monday May 2. Cancel your plans, apply for annual leave and get ready to judge the red carpet fashion from your couch. We’ll be covering the red carpet as it happens so be sure to check back then for our top selects from the night.
In the meantime, you can see the best dressed from the 2021 Met Gala according to marie claire’s editors.
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