Here’s HUNGER’s guide to throwing your own Met Gala themed party
Throwing your own Met Gala-themed party? You are now. This year’s Met Gala, titled ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’, will honour the artistic brilliance of the late designer and trace his evolution through fashion. We predict to see the hottest looks from latest runways, maybe the odd Chanel couture bride or Fendi-tastic bodysuit number. With co-chairs of Blake Lively, Michaela Coel, Dua Lipa, Roger Federer and, of course, Anna Wintour – this could be one of the most stylish Met’s to date.
But here at HUNGER, we would like to take that a step further. Sure you can create your own iteration of the best runway looks and try and predict what the stars will be wearing this year, but why not also go back and pull out some of their best looks to date. As the red carpet unfurls, grab your nearest and dearest and throw a bash to remember. This may be the closest you will get to having your own Kim K, Frank Ocean, Lady Gaga and Jared Leto in one room after all. So whether it’s Gucci or Givenchy, a red carpet strip or robotic drip, we have got you covered. The only question that remains is – which icon will you be this 2023?
The hostess with the mostest
The woman who presides the doings of the Met Gala, the hostess if you will, has to provide inspiration for whoever is hosting your own Met party. In 2019, Anna Wintour pulled out one of her best looks to date. She never necessarily takes centre stage but lets her guests do the talking – a true leader we say. For her ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ look she opted for a tribute to the late Karl Lagerfeld with a floor-length beaded gown in pink, blue, yellow and green pastel embellishments. Over the top of it, she effortlessly slung a large blush feathered cape, that you can DIY with a huge box of feathers and some superglue. Maybe glue your iconic Wintour wig down with it too, because that ‘do should not be moving at any point in the night.
The one that’s here for the pics
Let’s kick off with the news that Kim Kardashian is infact attending this year’s Met Gala – despite the rumours the Kardashian clan wouldn’t be. It’s hard to choose between the likes of the headline-hitting Marilyn Monroe ripped artefact and her granny’s curtain-esque floral Givenchy number while she was preggers with North West. But, the one that pips all the others at the post has to be the 2021 ‘In America’ interpretation, where she was covered head-to-toe in all black. The first thought when she stepped out was – who tf is that? And that is what makes it so iconic. Made by her now ex-husband Kanye West in collaboration with Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia, to get the look yourself you just need a black catsuit, a large black t-shirt, a black face covering, black stilettos, and black gloves. Preferably out of breathable material, mesh perhaps, as that long train could cause a tripping hazard when you can’t see. Make sure to get the hair extensions just right also, as they should resemble a long horse tail. Although Kim K allegedly paid 10k for hers, you can achieve the desired effect by looping together as many party wigs as you can find and straightening to the high heavens. Just ensure you get your pre-Met Gala-themed party shots in as this look doesn’t leave too much room to be able to drink – paper straw anyone?
The one that’s not ready to mingle
Single and not ready to mingle? Frank Ocean has got you covered. Bring your own date as the singer did to the 2021 Met Gala. Granted, his was a mechanical, green alien doll called Cody, but who are we to judge? It is definitely sure to ward off any unwanted attention, and it’s also pretty cool. It was a big talking point of the night and gained him some fashionable points even though the ‘Chanel’ singer (ironic) was dressed in a basic Prada ensemble: a black suede three-piece suit with a plain white t-shirt. Simple, we like it. For your own animatronic companion, get in touch with the independent American luxury company Homer, and maybe prepare a mood board on what the children of Shrek were to look like had they been given sparkly grills and galactic-print onesie. Alternatively, source your own small doll and do some Frankenstein-like work to bring it to life, just make sure it can definitely move, blink and respond to you as Cody did for Ocean. It’s the ultimate romance-repelling accessory.
The couple that always argues on a night out
Zayn Malik made his first and only appearance at the Met Gala in 2016 with then-girlfriend Gigi Hadid. Under the theme ‘Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology’, the pair debuted sporting matching robotic looks. Hadid took on Tommy Hilfiger with a metallic gown, including a bustier, sheer skirt, and armour-like rings on her fingers. Malik was head-to-toe Versace in a suit with a full silver metal armour sleeve – and they looked darn good together. But no matter how much the relationship looked like it was written in the stars on the carpet, behind the scenes it was a different matter altogether. Malik never attended a Met Gala again, telling GQ “I’d rather be sitting at my house, doing something productive, than dressing up in really expensive clothes and being photographed on a red carpet….To do the self-indulgent ‘Look at me, I’m amazing’ thing on the red carpet, it’s not me.” There’s always one. Claims that Anna Wintour then banned the singer from the event were swirling, but all we can do is feel for Hadid who attended every year since. After all, in the supermodel profession, this is very much her bag. For your own iteration, all you need is a few rolls of tin foil and a vision, and the attitude can do the rest. So if there is a couple that is seemingly disappointed with your own Met Gala-themed party, take a leaf out of Wintour’s book and disinvite the unamused half. Maybe take some pictures before they are blacklisted, however, as the toxic pair can look quite good in matching themed outfits.
The one who brings too many plus ones
Billy Porter, we are looking at you. In a majestic entrance to the 2019 Met Gala, Porter turned up to ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ with not one, not two but six shirtless men in tow. The Pose star was dripping in gold to show off a custom Sun God-style outfit by The Blonds. To get the fit, bring out your childhood fairy wings and cover them in whatever gold material you can get your hands on. Craft shop trip done, your feathery accessory should be accompanied by a 24-karat headpiece. Eeek. No one has to know you opted for gold tissue paper, as the Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and fine jewels by Andreoli, John Hardy, and Oscar Heyman can also get the DIY treatment. It’s all about the attitude anyhow, as the trip to your own Met Gala party should include you being carried in on the shoulders of your lovely plus six as you smoulder your way past the guest list. Ensure to bring an extra tub of oil to keep the abs of your golden companions shining all night.
The one that always spills a drink
If you are prone to spilling a drink or two, then take a leaf out of Blake Lively’s book at the ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’ event. The Gossip Girl actress came and served in a sweeping rose gold gown with an embellished sweetheart bustier. With tiny fragments of metal and jewels studded all over the dress, the look was paired with a tiara and an oversized bow at her waist. Pink, orange, and golden hues adorned the skirt, and one swift pull on the bow revealed a whole new dress, as her evening gloves and the train took on a Tiffany blue colour and exaggerated length. Perhaps it was designed with the intention to cover the common drink spill faux pas, or that may just be a perk. Either way, the stunning look is stealing all the attention from any Merlot related goings-on, and with a tiara as an accessory, no stain is going to steal that crown.
The couple that shows too much PDA
There is always that couple at the party who show a tad bit too much PDA, and the Met Gala is no different. But here at HUNGER, we are all about protection – masked protection. When Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rekindled their relationship and shocked the world, they simply couldn’t keep their hands off each other! But pandemic-wise, they had to ensure they remained fully masked when heading in for a kiss in 2021. So, to recreate this Met Gala moment, all you need to do is keep a box of masks by the door to hand out to the usual romantic suspects, maybe even DIY some diamontes onto the fabric to get that J-Lo glitz. As iconic as any couple may be (Bennifer included), sometimes the cringe needs to be controlled. Mask up!
The one that leaves before 12
Bippity Boppity Boo and she’s gone. But she made an impression whilst she was here. When Zendaya took to the Met Gala in 2019 for ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’, she was fully princess-ified by her stylist Law Roach. She arrived at the Met in a full-length grey Cinderella dress with puff sleeves, modelled on the blue ballgown worn by Disney’s Cinderella. The Tommy Hilfiger number transformed into a sparkling blue ensemble when her fairy godmother (Roach) waved his magic wand and light technology lit up strips under the full skirt. With a french twist and split corset, this is the perfect look for those who have to leave before midnight. To get this look, grab your bestie and do some glow stick work on your own gown. Layer those sticks underneath the skirt and crack them when the time is right (perhaps not as elegant, but just as fun). When the clock strikes twelve, just make sure you at least have both your shoes on the way out.
The one talking to themselves in the corner of the room
Is it such a crime to love yourself that much you sometimes just carry a 3D replication of your head around? Of course not! Just take Jared Leto’s Met look in 2019 as inspiration, where he wore Gucci and carried his head around all night. For the iconic Alessandro Michele designed look, you need a head of luxuriously silky soft hair (maybe a wig or a lot of leave-in conditioner), a long red robe and an oversized sparkly body necklace. To get the beheaded version of yourself, maybe doll up a mannequin head or order one especially if you have the time and a spare $10k to $30k. The cherry on top of the cake is the piercing blue eyes that look slightly dead on the inside – contacts and an illustrious career in the depths of Hollywood will do that to you.
The stripper
No no, you have it wrong. Before your mind jumps, we are talking about a performance piece with various versions of designer outfits underneath… enter Lady Gaga. The campest of all the 2019 Met gala looks has to be when Lady Gaga stripped down from her dress into sheer undergarments on the red carpet. It was bold, fearless, dramatic and downright iconic. So for your own Met party, put on a show like Gaga and layer up until the room begins to swelter, taking away layers of your DIY Brandon Maxwell masterpiece until you get to the final layer. First up, an immense pink number with a matching hair bow will be replaced by a black corseted ballgown with an umbrella overhead. Then comes the body con hot pink sweetheart dress, with a pair of diamonte fishnets and matching bustier underneath. Finish the look off with a pair of six inch boots and a powerful stance. It’s not a Met party if someone doesn’t put on a risque show, right?
