The Met Gala 2022 – a night that traditionally celebrates newness from the industry’s largest players – was under pressure to make sustainable choices as fashion takes steps toward a greener future. Several celebs stepped up to the plate, demonstrating that wearing archive is everything but the past.
Emma Stone and HoYeon
For fashion’s famed fundraiser, Emma Stone upcycled something special. Her friend Nicolas Ghesquière made an ivory flapper-style minidress with feather sprays for her wedding celebration in 2020, which she wore again. Stone joined several Louis Vuitton ambassadors in wearing archival pieces for the event, rather than letting her fun, flippy bridal ensemble languish in the back of her closet, as is so frequently the case with wear-once wedding confections. HoYeon Jung’s bold leather and suede Cruise 2017 minidress with knee-high heels is our personal favorite.
Kim Kardashian
On Met night 2022, Kim Kardashian delivered her own pop cultural triumph. Marilyn Monroe’s original nude gown, which she wore to serenade President John F Kennedy on his 45th birthday in 1962, was substituted with the Skims founder’s favorite Balenciaga. It’s unimportant that Kim only wore the dazzling Jean Louis gown on the red carpet for a few moments before changing into something less delicate and expensive. The Met Gala’s photographs of the dedicated fashion plate, who lost several pounds and bleached her hair blond for the occasion, will go down in history as a witty lesson in American history.
Kim Kardashian also disclosed on Instagram today that she wore two outfits to the Met Gala, one of which was previously worn by Marilyn Monroe. Monroe’s green Norman Norell gown, which she wore to the Golden Globes in 1962, was Kardashian’s second look of the evening.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish’s totally repurposed Gucci gown also delighted eco-conscious fashionistas. The ivory and duchesse satin corseted dress, which had a stunning green lace underlay, conveyed a powerful statement to her young fans (102 million Instagram followers and climbing) that eco-friendly fashion is hip. Her platforms were also vegan.
Paloma Elsesser
Paloma Elsesser’s corseted Coach ensemble, which was made in part from antique lace borrowed from 1930s American dresses, offers inspiration on how vintage might find a place in all red-carpet design in the future. Looking back in time, even if it’s merely for the purpose of reusing a concept or editing, lends a sense of gravitas for all the right reasons.
Emily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski, a Versace girl, emphasized her supermodel status by wearing a spring/summer 1992 ensemble that was originally worn on the runway by Yasmeen Ghauri.
Amber Valletta
In high-shine gold vintage Azzaro, Amber Valletta gave a precise interpretation of the gilded glamour concept.
Adut Akech
In emerald Christian Lacroix autumn/winter 2003, Adut Akech upped the atmosphere.
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo wore a one-of-a-kind headdress crafted from repurposed fabric cut-offs to complement her vintage Louis Vuitton ensemble.
