Did you catch all the celebrities strutting down the pink carpet during the Met Gala on Monday? The famed annual event is one of THE fashion hot spots of the year — a veritable who’s who of Hollywood. But this year, one celebrity alone came to tell all of 2019 that the future of fashion is now. And that celebrity is named Harry Styles…
Before we get into Harry’s amazing attire, we must discuss the theme of this year’s Met Gala. Why? Because that in itself #WHOA amazing — yes, it’s so amazing that it’s worthy of a hashtag with ALL CAPS.
This year’s theme was Camp, a term coined by cultural critic Susan Sontag. In 1964, she penned the seminal essay Notes on Camp to describe this most unique style…
“Indeed the essence of Camp is its love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration…It is the love of the exaggerated, the “off,” of things-being-what-they-are-not…The hallmark of Camp is the spirit of extravagance…The androgyne is certainly one of the great images of Camp sensibility.”
In other words, think flamboyant, fanciful, flashy, over-the-top — or, as the young people say in 2019, EXTRA.
To illustrate her point, Sontag also included examples that typified the camp aesthetic, like Tiffany lamps, The Enquirer headlines and stories, King Kong, women’s clothes of the twenties and the old Flash Gordon comics.
And, thanks to the Met Gala, one Mr. Harry Styles can also be added to that long list of what qualifies as essential Campness! To see him walk the pink carpet was truly a thing of beauty. It was revolutionary. Clad in a black Gucci ensemble with lace cuffs and a ruffled neckline, complete with painted nails and a lone pearl earring, he owned the carpet and everyone knew it. As he told Vogue of his look…
“I mean, I think it’s about enjoyment and about fun; no judgement. And having fun with clothes. I think fashion is supposed to be fun. And I think it’s a good time for that as well — people being who they are.”
THIS. YES. THIS. This is what it’s all about. With just a few words, Styles ushered in the future of fashion! It’s all about that gender-fluidity and finally throwing out those tired, outdated gender norms that serve no one, instead, holding us all back. Because the future of fashion is all about moving forward You can break out of those gender-conforming boxes and be whoever you want to be! You don’t have to let societal rules and norms define you! As cliche as it sounds, you do you is good, solid advice!
My awesome writer friend Megan Mann wrote an incredible piece for InStyle this week on the lasting impact of the former One Direction singer’s outfit. She described it perfectly — a future where conversations about men’s fashion isn’t so narrowly defined and where personal expression can fully flourish. Wouldn’t that truly be a wonderful world?
“Harry Styles showing up as he did at the Met Gala, following years of bold style choices, opens up the conversation about what men wear…It’s permission for guys like these and any stars to come to continue showing up, to be asked who are you wearing, and to have a damn good answer.”
So, is it a stretch to say Styles has, with this one sheer jumpsuit, Changed Red Carpets Forever? Let’s hope it isn’t, because it would be a change for the better.
Thank you, Harry Styles, for changing the future of fashion!! Who had your favorite look on the carpet, friends?? Are you a fan of all things camp? xoxo
