On the first Monday in May, which just so happens to be May Day, a major event is celebrated in America – one that is even bigger than the bank holiday we enjoyed in the UK. It is, after all, the Met Gala and this year’s theme for both the Gala and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Institute exhibition is Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons. In case you are not au fait, Rei Kawakubo is a designer and will be the first living designer since 1983 (with Yves Saint Laurent) to be the sole subject of the Met Ball. And if you not up to speed on the Met Gala, let us guide you through everything that went down with the hair yesterday, during what is widely considered to be the most significance fashion event of our time.
What is the Met Gala?
It starts with a major exhibition, which always has a changing theme, that showcases the museum’s extraordinary holdings. These displays have pushed the realms of the imagination when it comes to themes; from periods of history though to homages to designers including Alexander McQueen and Miuccia Prada. This year, was all about full-on adoration for Rei Kawakubo; with a showcase of 150 of her womenswear collections which are as far flung as 1980.
However, the Met is considered so much more than expo – it’s come make a contextual statement on our times and a reflection of our changing culture. Which is why it’s so important for celebrities to be largely attributed with the whole event, you aren’t anyone if you aren’t present at the ‘Fashion Oscars’ dressed in couture by the most major fashion designer in town.
Who runs it?
Anna Wintour, Editor of American Vogue and the artistic director of Condé Nast, took over as chairwoman of the gala in 1999. She is credited for transforming a somewhat philanthropic event into the only event celebrities really want tickets to. Take the lists of famous names on the guest list, fuse with fashion, business and politics and it’s easy to see why a golden ticket to the event is coveted by everyone who is anyone.
The entrance
When it comes to the Met Gala, there is only one moment that is really significant and that is the entrance. Highlights which still resurface time and time again include Kate Moss’s arrival in 2009, when she worked a lamé mini-dress and matching turban. There was also the time that Sarah Jessica Parker and Alexander McQueen wore matching tartans and Rihanna wore a (slightly OTT) yellow ruffled frock (and sparked a thousand memes). Then there was last year when Beyoncé arrived solo in a latex beaded dress and told the world all we needed to know about her relationship and her confidence.
Those who didn’t have a ticket last night (and trust us, you’d have to re-mortgage your house to get one) then read on and follow our round-up of the most monumental hairstyles set to define fashion for the whole of the following year. . .and beyond!
Kate Hudson
We’ve heard of matching your hair accessories to your gown, but it takes a real cool maiden to dye their hair the same icy white hue as their dress. Step up, Kate Hudson who looked stunning in an asymmetrical white dress and looped bun.
Rhianna
It wasn’t just Kate Hudson who was rocking a bun, Rhianna was also in full bun mode – which was probably the simplest thing about her ensemble (although critics mostly adored it).
Solange
On the other side, someone who did take a lot of slack for her fashion efforts was Solange Knowles. Donning a ripped puffa jacket, with matching train, was a bit of a let down but her hair did create a massive statment. Rocking her natural hair on the only red carpet that really counts, went such a long way to reminding everyone to embrace those curls!
And if you really want to learn more about how celebs made hair-raising statements, know that Jayden Smith took his own hair along as a date (and told the world that dreads are dead, the crop is back). You win Jayden!
If you are local, and loving any of these trends, pop by to Sixth Sense Salon (your number one hair salon sutton coldfield) to learn more about how to get this look.