After a 2 year-long hiatus, the Met Gala is officially set to return (in 2 parts). Abiding by the social distancing guidelines, fashion’s most-awaited evening will be celebrated twice, as smaller soirées. For round one (Sep 13), the theme for your favourite celebrities to adapt is In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, and round two on May 2, 2022. In an attempt to celebrate American designers, Andrew Bolton, the curator in charge of the Costume Institute has shifted the focus on the home country’s design houses that have been supporting the museum as well as emerging as the woke voices of fashion.
Speaking of important voices, this year’s hosting duties lie on the shoulders of America’s most influential millennial and Gen-Z celebrities. From Timothée Chalamet and Billie Eilish to Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka, along with honorary co-chairs Tom Ford, Adam Mosseri and Anna Wintour. While the guest list of the event is always safely guarded, ardent fans of the gala know the regulars that make splashing appearances. To make things more exciting, we asked Indian celebrity stylists Harmann Kaur, Eka Lakhani and Akshay Tyagi, and fashion journalist Manish Mishra to weigh in on the celebrity-designer pairings we will see this time around. Here’s what they have to say.
1. Manish Mishra
I’d love to see Timothée Chalamet in a Thom Browne grey suit (jacket-skinny tailored shorts combo). Timothée has often cut a fine figure in edgy Haider Ackermann tailoring, but I would love to see him in a Thom Browne corporate-with-a-twist attire. Thom has been the pioneer of sartorial finesse with a fun spin and it would be interesting to see how TC emotes that exuberant American spirit with his outing at the Met.
Thom Browne S/S 2019 and Timothée Chalamet in Haider Ackermann for Venice Film Festival
I’d also love to see Emily Ratajkowski in a bodycon Narciso Rodriguez dress—minimal, clean, cut close to the body and impossibly chic! Narciso’s refined minimalism and his precise and punctiliously executed dresses are the real gems in the American fashion lexicon. It would be incredible to see someone so elegant like Emily lending gravitas to Narciso’s couture-level perfection.
Narciso Rodriguez S/S 2017 and Emily Ratajkowski at the Vanity Fair Oscar after party
2. Eka Lakhani
Let me begin by saying, I’m obsessed with Rihanna! There is no one that commits and rules the Met Gala themes like her. She goes all out and dominates with so much drama. Met Gala, fashion’s biggest night out, especially this year, after a gap of 2 years—it will be totally worth the wait. I feel she will be true to the theme and go for one of the pioneers of American Fashion, designers like Ralph Lauren or Tom Ford that celebrate American Fashion with each collection. Her look this time should tap upon American social or political issues in a dramatised fashion that screams all things America! It’s been said that masks are going to be mandatory except while eating and drinking, and I’m most excited to see what she does with her mask.
Tom Ford F/W 2020 and Rihanna in Guo Pei for Met Gala 2015
3. Akshay Tyagi
Timothée has always been at the forefront of breaking boundaries of masculinity in fashion – and his pairing with American fashion legend TomFord is a natural match. With supreme cuts and luxe fabrics, there could not be a better match. Lizzo is all about crushing body positivity and body neutrality – her confidence is oozing with sex appeal, which will be complemented best by either Michael Kors’ classic tailoring or statement-making designer Christian Siriano, who is a champion at inclusive dressing.
Michael Kors F/W 202 and Lizzo at the Grammy’s 2020 in Versace
4. Harmann Kaur
I’d go with LaQuan Smith for Gigi Hadid. This edgy outfit is from LaQuan’s Fall 2020 collection and this collection is special as it was inspired by the “unapologetically sexy” women of the world who are tapping into their own inner strength. This outfit is eye-popping with a form-fitting silhouette that accentuates the body and Gigi is going to look unapologetically sexy in it!
LaQuan Smith F/W 2020 and Gigi Hadid at Met Gala 2018 in Versace
And I’d pick Oscar de la Renta for Kendall Jenner. The Guru of Glamour has a knack for combining old-world craftsmanship with modernity and the Resort 2022 collection has effortlessly captured the feeling of optimism and possibility during tough times. This outfit comes in a fresh colour story of nude with multiple hues, along with Oscar’s classic floral embroidery. I would consider this a dream-fulfillment dress!
Oscar de la Renta Resort 2022 and Kendall Jenner at Met Gala 2019 in Versace
