Met Gala attendees should’ve realised being camp is easier done than intellectualised
In fact, intellectualising a ‘look’ quite spoils the unique appeal of the spontaneously camp.
By ET Bureau |
Agencies
Lady Gaga posing for the shutterbugs
A cultural historian at the University of Sussex, Andy Medhurst avers that “Trying to define camp is like attempting to sit in the corner of a circular room.” No wonder the outfits at the Met Gala this year in New York — whose theme this year was ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ — went round in circles.
Some took it to mean fairy-tale exaggeration, others just exaggeration. For clues about what to wear, the rest probably did a speedread of Susan Sontag’s essay ‘Notes on Camp’, where she says camp “sees everything in quotation marks”, is probably the most apt description of the ethos.
Actually, they need not have tried so hard because being camp has always been a great way to make a mark on the red carpet — and even the pink one at the Met Gala — without being too intellectual about it.
Met Gala Pink Carpet: Isha Ambani, Priyanka & Deepika's Camp Style; Lady Gaga's Outfit Changes
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The 2019 Met Gala saw stars bring their best fashion game to the pink carpet keeping in theme with this year's theme 'Camp: Notes on Fashion'. The theme was inspired by a seminal 1964 essay by American author Susan Sontag in which she describes the phenomenon as something that shan't be talked about: "To talk about Camp is therefore to betray it."
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, whose yearly bash welcomes over-the-top looks based on a theme, saw pink and gold, trains, fringe and fur as the gala kicked off in New York City.
Singer Lady Gaga, Gucci designer Alessandro Michele, British singer Harry Styles and tennis superstar Serena Williams joined Vogue editor Anna Wintour in co-chairing the event, which raises money for the Costume Institute.
In Pic (L to R): Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Lady Gaga.
The 2019 Met Gala saw stars bring their best fashion game to the pink carpet keeping in theme with this year's theme 'Camp: Notes on Fashion'. The theme was inspired by a seminal 1964 essay by Amer..
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Priyanka Chopra and actor-singer husband Nick Jonas attended their first Met Gala as a married couple dressed in Dior. The 'Baywatch' actress, styled by Mimi Cuttrell, opted for a whimsical custom-made sheer, silver gown with colourful ruffled feathers, and completed her look with crown. The 26-year-old 'Sucker' singer complemented her in a white tuxedo paired.
The couple who tied the knot last year, had first attended the Met Gala together in 2017.
Priyanka Chopra and actor-singer husband Nick Jonas attended their first Met Gala as a married couple dressed in Dior. The 'Baywatch' actress, styled by Mimi Cuttrell, opted for a whimsical custom-..
Read More
Deepika Padukone channeled her inner barbie at the Met Gala. The 'Padmaavat' actress arrived dolled up in a metallic-pink, lurex jacquard Zac Posen gown.
Deepika Padukone channeled her inner barbie at the Met Gala. The 'Padmaavat' actress arrived dolled up in a metallic-pink, lurex jacquard Zac Posen gown.
Isha Ambani-Piramal, whose high-profile wedding last year was the stuff of international headlines, arrived at the Met Gala looking right out of a fairy tale in a pale violet tulle v-neck ballgown. The Prabal Gurung ensemble featured hand-embroidered crystal and ostrich feather, sunburst pleating inserts and sculptural shoulder flourette. The Reliance heiress also posed with the designer on the pink carpet.
Ambani had made her Met Gala in 2017 in a gold Dior gown.
Isha Ambani-Piramal, whose high-profile wedding last year was the stuff of international headlines, arrived at the Met Gala looking right out of a fairy tale in a pale violet tulle v-neck ballgown. T..
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Serena Williams attended the Met Gala with husband Alexis Ohanian Sr. While the businessman kept it simple in a monochrome suit, the tennis star opted for a Versace gown, crafted from innovative fabric with fluorescent properties and matching sneakers by Off-White x Nike. The boustier corset dress, detachable skirt and draped cape feature appliqué of the heritage Atelier Versace Ivy motif was embroidered in organza with thread and Swarovski crystals.
Serena Williams attended the Met Gala with husband Alexis Ohanian Sr. While the businessman kept it simple in a monochrome suit, the tennis star opted for a Versace gown, crafted from innovative fabr..
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Pop icon and this year's Met Gala co-host Lady Gaga stole the show with her grand entrance at the annual event.
The Oscar-winner arrived wearing a bright pink gown, before peeling off layers and revealing four costume changes. Gaga shed the Brandon Maxwell gown to reveal a strapless black ballgown by the designer, who was also her date to the event. That soon changed into a hot-pink dress, and which she went on to peel too for glittering black lingerie, fishnet stockings and platform boots.
Pop icon and this year's Met Gala co-host Lady Gaga stole the show with her grand entrance at the annual event.The Oscar-winner arrived wearing a bright pink gown, before peeling off layers and revea..
Read More
The Kardashian-Jenner clan dressed to kill at the Met Gala 2019. Kris Jenner, her boyfriend Corey Gamble, Kanye West and Travis Scott opted for black ensembles. While Kim Kardashian West opted for the wet look with outfit featuring beads that appeared as water droplets, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner were visions in bright orange and lilac gowns.
In pic:(L-R) Corey Gamble, Kris Jenner, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian West, Kendall, Kylie and Travis Scott
The Kardashian-Jenner clan dressed to kill at the Met Gala 2019. Kris Jenner, her boyfriend Corey Gamble, Kanye West and Travis Scott opted for black ensembles. While Kim Kardashian West opted for th..
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Singer Katy Perry (L) made quite the statement at the high-on-fashion event, arriving on the Met steps dressed as a chandelier. The 'Roar' singer began the night in a silver outfit complete with bulbs and a headpiece that weighed 40 pounds. When asked how she would sit, rolling her eyes, she replied, “You don’t sit down at the Met.” But that wasn't all, the singer later changed into a burger outfit through the course of the night.
Designer Diane von Furstenberg (R) brought Lady Liberty to the Met Gala, as she paid to tribute to her late mother with her ensemble. The 72-year-old fashion icon revealed that her look, representing the Statue of Liberty complete with a torch of freedom and the crown, was in honour of her mum Liliane Nahmias, who was arrested and sent to Auschwitz 75 years ago.
Singer Katy Perry (L) made quite the statement at the high-on-fashion event, arriving on the Met steps dressed as a chandelier. The 'Roar' singer began the night in a silver outfit complete with bulb..
Read More
Actor Billy Porter stole the show arriving at the Met Gala looking like an Egyptian pharaoh. Carried onto the carpet by six shirtless attendants, the 'Pose' star was dressed in all gold, complete with wings. He later revealed that his look was a tribute to Diana Ross's character the 1975 film 'Mahogany'.
Actor Billy Porter stole the show arriving at the Met Gala looking like an Egyptian pharaoh. Carried onto the carpet by six shirtless attendants, the 'Pose' star was dressed in all gold, complete wit..
In fact, intellectualising a ‘look’ quite spoils the unique appeal of the spontaneously camp. It leads to highbrow disputes over whether the LGBTQ angle of camp has been adequately acknowledged and deconstructing an ensemble for meaning when it, in fact, may not have any.
Intentional exaggeration, of course, is difficult when normal ‘dressing-up’ very often verges on overstatement. So, it is not surprising that in India, the word is not naturally associated with over-the-top dressing; terror camps, sports coaching camps and tent camps are the usual allusions.
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