Maybe because when one is rich/a celebrity and independence feels inherently natural, it might prove something of a challenge to imagine a world in which other people do not live their day-to-day with the false ideals presented in the U.S. Constitution. Nonetheless, Anna Wintour saw fit to make this year’s Met Gala (the first since the pandemic toppled it—and every other event—last year) theme American “Independence.” Where previously it was thought to be merely American “fashion,” the greater specificity of a word like “independence” has actually done the theme more of a disservice than the general term of “fashion” (of which the U.S. has always been a victim, or “ensembly challenged” if you prefer).
The people that live in this alternate world of celebrity make the assumption that freedom is a given just because of where they live (the U.S.), as opposed to what station in life they inhabit (obscene wealth). And so, expectedly, they were in top oblivious-to-their-privilege form as the night unfolded. With self-styled “woman of the people” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rolling up in a dress worth thousands (“sustainably focused” or not) that read “Tax the Rich” and Cara Delevingne embracing the more butch side of her “fluid” sexuality to announce, “Peg the Patriarchy,” the Met Gala was actually somehow awash in more hypocrisy than usual. Which is rather surprising considering society was supposed to have undergone some “grand change” in the wake of the pandemic. But no, people are instead content to vomit up words (on their clothes) rather than implement genuine action. Plus, who has time to think too heavily about “political things” when Kim Kardashian looms behind everyone in her reaper attire by Balenciaga, like some kind of unintentional reminder of all the plebeian loss of life to coronavirus since it was unleashed.
In many respects, truth be told, Kardashian was among the most representative of America, if not American fashion. Because yes, this country is a plague, one giant Black Death waiting to envelop its denizens if they don’t comply—to capitalism, that is. The Kardashian-Jenner clan has certainly done that millions (and billions) of times over, per their bank statement.
Those who went with the theme truly in mind took it far too literally, like Debbie Harry dressed in an American flag pattern or Billie Eilish dredging up one more Marilyn Monroe impersonation we didn’t need. But it’s all just part of her pinup drag of late, suddenly deciding to do away with the “body neutrality” that established her early “brand.” The same goes for Lorde, who showed up looking like a botched imitation of the Statue of Liberty. Another unfortunate testament to people’s subconscious reverence for New York Shitty, the supposed ultimate emblem for American independence while simultaneously being the ultimate one for subjugation. But inside the bubble of the Met, New York doesn’t feel like its true self, instead covered in the “glitter and glamor” of money and fame that even AOC was likely enchanted by as she searched the room for a rich person to sit next to and discuss her “platform”—quickly forgetting all about it amid the expensive champagne and frivolous conversation. What’s more, she was probably experiencing plenty of “you can’t sit with us” moments in that particular frock. But such is the luxury of the “independent” spirit (a.k.a. being able to take risks with “free speech”). One, we’re told, can only exist in America when, in fact, that has never been less accurate.
Why else would a Brit like Michaela Coel feel obliged to play it so safe in a blue sequined jumpsuit intended to pay tribute to the “star-spangled banner.” When Europeans (granted, the British have declared themselves decidedly not that—making them, technically, even more “indie-spirited” than the country they spawned in the 1700s) are playing it safe in the U.S., it’s a sign. And not a good one. For it not only means that people, especially “foreigners,” are actually afraid to fully express themselves here, but also that the natural assumption is Americans prefer a certain level of “safeness” posing as just the right amount of bold. Anna Wintour herself—also a Brit—would have gotten Miranda Priestly balking about her florals, dressed up in the guise of being, again, “daring.” Between her and co-chair Billie Eilish as representatives for “American fashion,” a precise portrait of the nation’s banality and lack of free-thinking was made apparent.
Elsewhere, AOC wasn’t the only Congresswoman to make a statement with her attire—albeit Carolyn B. Maloney’s was slightly less hypocritical in that it said Equal Rights for Women down the side of her dress, complete with a coordinating “ERA Yes” bag. Because sadly, to highlight just how not independent America is, the country very much doesn’t offer equal rights for women, therefore anything like total “independence” for them. So naturally, how could the Taliban take America all that seriously when its own government seems to get its jollies from suppressing women’s rights?
In that sense, Eilish and Wintour clearly needed a male co-chair in the form of Timothée Chalamet to guide them/balance out fellow female co-chairs Naomi Osaka and Amanda Gorman. And Chalamet’s outfit might speak the most volumes of all regarding American fashion—for what would it be without the very thing Karl Lagerfeld despised the most (before himself creating a line of them)?: sweatpants. To be fair, Chalamet tried his best to create an aura of the “avant-garde” chic by pairing the bottoms with evening wear, specifically a Haider Ackermann tuxedo jacket.
But if that’s the height of America’s independence, fashion-related or otherwise, no wonder the country’s future doesn’t look so bright. Even Lil Nas X, counted upon for bringing requisite “flamboyance” (read: the fashion world demands a gay presence in order to be legitimized), left one with the sense of having seen it before (certainly when Lady Gaga pulled a similar stunt). The only person who might have lent some panache to the affair was Iman, because obviously she must always do David Bowie proud, no matter what realm he’s in. Otherwise, it was a sea of people settling on red, white or blue tones as a means to express their knowledge of American “independence” and sartorial “greatness.” But it’s difficult to see anyone as being independent in an environment such as this, one where the lemmings run together so that they might congratulate each other on how progressive and forward-thinking they and their ideas are (including, of course, the notion: “tax the rich”).
This extends to Eilish’s own self-congratulatory act in “refusing” to wear her Oscar de la Renta gown unless the fashion haus agreed to stop selling fur, which it supposedly did (because, as AOC knows, that’s the power of celebrity). But how long will that last and what loopholes will de la Renta find to get around the promise? Even if it means exploiting animals or the environment in some other way? Like Lorde selling an eco-friendly product meant to substitute for a CD, a product is, nonetheless, still just that—and will invariably fuck up the Earth in some way. Just as this glad-handing event does every year, with each new batch of assholes sucking up all the air under the presumption that the $30,000 cost to enter (or $275,000, if you’d prefer a table) wouldn’t be better spent on or suited to something else. But hey, that’s just American “independence” at work. Free to do whatever you want, so long as you’ve got the cash and the faux bleeding heart activism to make the plebes outside the gate hate you a little less.
