Every first Monday in May, I would make it a ritual to divert my daily jog and pass by the Met when living in New York. If I were lucky enough, I would see the setup of the fashion extravaganza and take a moment to imagine what would later walk down the red carpet. Now let's be honest, events like this are not known for being sustainable, however, what the Met Gala offers is the opportunity to tell your team's story behind your one-night creation. There is meaning, thought, and intention behind the outfit of choice. And this right here is how I believe we should dress every day when styling and sourcing secondhand.
But 2022 proved to spotlight a few outfits that were not only intentional but also pre-loved. In all honesty, it was Blake that I trusted the most when seeing her gown and transformation. What a showstopper! But here are my top three sustainable moments that got me thinking about how to style occasion wear in the future.
My first pick was my least favourite on the carpet as, in all honesty, it was overshadowed by the wowza creations that showed up. However, Emma Stone proved that you could fit the occasion by owning a look from a past chapter- as she unapologetically wore her very own wedding dress. No customisation, no alteration, just wearing without guilt. For that, I respect. Currently rummaging through my closet, considering all of those outfits I wore for that one-time event, and considering how I can wear them at future events this summer.
My Second favourite look was the one and only Billie Elish as she wore An iconic upcycled Gucci gown. Last year, Eilish made headlines: She managed to get Oscar de la Renta to stop selling fur pieces in stores. This year, Eilish's dress not only fit the event's theme but also features upcycled, pre-existing materials. Inspired by the curation of look, this outfit inspires me to piece together more than one statement piece to layer up the vintage. In the past, I've fallen into the trap of focussing on one item that is the focus of an outfit, but Billie's look has encouraged me to think about building out the art instead of just relying on one piece.
And finally, Kim Kardashian turned heads when she showed up wearing one of the most legendary looks in American history. The original "naked" dress took the limelight in a brand new era as Kardashian wore Marilyn Monroe's most famous gown—the one she had on in 1962 when she sang "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy.
According to Ripley's Believe It or Not!, the gown hasn't been worn by anyone other than Monroe, and great care has been taken to preserve this piece of history. No alterations were made to the dress. It's the real deal. And of course it's secondhand; ushering in a new era of sustainable fashion. From this outfit, I draw inspiration from the fact that Kim made the outfit her own. She modernised it with the hair and makeup, which is a quick win so many of us can do when taking those starry-eyed vintage pieces but wanting to bring them up to date. Focus on the foundation of the look- makeup, hair and accessories.
What's your take? Let me know at @secondhandstylinguk
