How the Met Gala Modernized History’s Gilded Age

by Isabelle Seiler

The 2022 Met Gala was not exactly visually stimulating, especially given the perceived potential of its Gilded Glamour theme. The looks widely lacked the glitz and glamour of what one would expect. It doesn’t take much detective work to determine the internet’s take on this year’s gala: attendees did not understand the assignment. Diet Prada, one of social media’s top fashion reporters, expressed their disappointment through a series of memes which received overwhelming support from viewers worldwide and confirmed the popularized opinion that attendees failed to embody Gilded Age lavishness. While this year’s looks might appear lackluster in comparison to their 19th century counterparts, understanding the historical relevancy of the looks displayed can help us continue to appreciate the political and socially driven roots of haute couture. Through a brief refresh of haute couture’s history, I’ve determined the Met Gala’s attendees went above and beyond. 

Let’s start with a common source used for attire reference, HBO’s The Gilded Age. Set in 1882, the show demonstrates the elaborate gowns and white tie suits worn by New York City’s elite. More was more in the 19th century, as luxury was displayed through silk, lace, velvet, and the likes, making up extravagant ensembles worn on the daily.

Giving insight into haute couture history, The Metropolitan Museum of Art released a publication in conjunction with a couture exhibition they held in 1997. ‘Haute Couture’ by Richard Martin and Harold Koda discusses couture since its conception in the mid-nineteenth century. Although it’s out of print, you can read it online here. The history of haute couture is described as developing in direct correlation to the booming innovations in technology.

During The Gilded Age, the Industrial Revolution brought extreme wealth and opulence to America’s elite. Their fashion mirrored their current events. Taking into account what was considered appropriate in terms of dressing for gender and class, 19th century elite’s fashion was directly related to their current events and the Industrial Revolution’s powerful effect on the United States. Technology and productivity were at an all-time high, bringing an abundance of wealth that was exemplified through sartorial extravagance.

In the 21st century, we are now entering what is considered the fourth industrial revolution. This revolution is about call to action, about acknowledging pressing social and environmental causes and doing something about it. It’s about uniting communities, coming together and adapting sustainable methods of living to progress positively forward.

With our current events in mind, I think attendees of the Met Gala went above and beyond in their representations of Gilded Glamour in 2022. The Met Gala shows us that couture is still very much on the same path that it was during its creation in the 19th century. Couture still parallels current events. The events have changed, and so has our perception of opulence and glamour.

Admittedly less visually flashy than 19th century Gilded Age glamour, attendees channeled a modernized version of opulence with streamlined silhouettes and luxurious fabrics. Some standout examples of couture continuing to evolve with current events included Elvira Lind and Oscar Isaac challenging traditional gender roles, Dove Cameron appearing in a dress derived from digital techniques, and Hillary Clinton dressing in recognition of inspirational American women. Eric Adams made his appearance with a political message on gun violence, and Louis Vuitton’s artistic director, Nicolas Ghesquière, expressed the importance of sustainability in fashion.

Attention to details, lavishness of fabrics and excellence in craft that are the ever-present makeup of haute couture were all accounted for but were done so in ways that match 21st century current events. The looks did not mimic the aesthetic of the 19th century but rather acted as an ode to the roots of which haute couture was created, which was during the Gilded Age. This year’s Met Gala looks acted as sartorial images of innovations of our era. Attendees of this year’s Met Gala did not simply play 19th century dress up. They marked our country’s current events through fashion. Whether guests meant to or not, their Met Gala looks hit the Gilded Glamour theme spot on, in the most modernized way possible. It was Gilded Glamour: 2022 Edition.