The Met Gala’s attendees had one task at hand: dress according to this year’s theme, Camp: Notes on Fashion. For some, there seemed to be a bit of confusion (Celine Dion admitted at first she thought there was going to be a sleepover at the museum), but others pulled off their looks with ease. They understood that camp is supposed to be over the top, slightly tacky, and oddly beautiful, but above all else, fun. Read on for a brief list of who I thought brought their campiest looks to the Met Gala.
1 Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell
2 Billy Porter in The Blonds
Inspired by Elizabeth Taylor’s turn at Cleopatra, Porter arrived shortly after Gaga—not even allowing me to catch my breath after her performance. Carried by broadway actors, the Pose star hopped off of his bed and showed off a beautiful bird-like look.
3 Billy Porter in The Blonds
Porter in a custom The Blonds catsuit, 10-foot wings, a 24-karat gold headpiece, plus gold-leaf Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and jewelery by Andreoli and Oscar Heyman, and John Hardy.
4 Janell Monae in Christian Siriano
Monae and stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn took a surrealist approach to her gown, looking to Picasso and Dali for inspiration. Christian Siriano made the creation, adding a blinking eye for peak camp effect.
5 Cardi B in Thom Browne
Let’s be real: it couldn’t be a campy occasion without Cardi B. She went the unexpected route, wearing a down-filled dress layered in oxblood tulle and silk organza, complete with an almost 10-feet long train. With hand-embroidered bugle bead detailing, 44-carat Stefere ruby nipples, and 30,000 burned and dyed coque feathers, the dress took 35 people and over 2,000 hours to create. A crystal encrusted bugle bead headpiece (made in collaboration with Stephen Jones) topped off the look.
6 Lena Waithe and Kerby Jean Raymond in Pyer Moss
Though their actual suits weren’t camp in and of themselves, what was written on the back of Lena’s jacket is everything you need to know. It read “Black drag queens invented camp.” How’s that for a history lesson?
8 Kylie and Kendall Jenner in Versace
A huge part of current camp culture derives inspiration from the iconic stage looks Bob Mackie made for Cher. It’s clear that Kylie and Kendall Jenner took a page from his playbook, going with all the glitz, glam, and feathers for the evening. One could say the Kardashian’s are the first family of camp, and this just proves it.
9 Celine Dion in Oscar de la Renta
Despite her initial confusion, Celine Dion killed this red carpet. Part show girl, part fringe queen, Dion is the definition of camp.
10 Kacey Musgraves in Moschino
Clearly inspired by Barbie, the campiest doll we know, Musgraves looked beautiful and bonkers at the same time. If that’s not camp I don’t know what is.
11 Honorable Mention: Joan Collins in Valentino
The Dynasty actress helped usher camp sensibilities into modern day TV. Just showing up as herself is enough to land her on any best dressed list.
Nikki Ogunnaike Style Director Nikki Ogunnaike, Style Director of ELLE.com, is the go-to style expert for the 25 million+ users, fans, and followers of what is now the largest fashion and beauty magazine website.
