Met Gala 2022: Gilded Glamour and ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’
Explore the opulent Gilded Glamour theme and the historical American artistry that defined the Met Gala 2022, from A-list hosts to standout looks.
The Met Gala 2022 marked a return to extravagance and cultural reflection, celebrating American fashion’s formative eras under the dual banners of Gilded Glamour and In America: An Anthology of Fashion. The event served as both a dazzling spectacle and a historical retrospective, drawing inspiration from the nation’s Gilded Age while examining the evolution, artistry, and complexities of American fashion.
Below, discover everything you need to know—from the theme’s origins to the standout looks and the underlying societal messages of this year’s Met Gala.
Table of Contents
- What is the Met Gala?
- Date and Location
- Theme Explained: ‘Gilded Glamour’ & ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’
- Hosts and Co-Chairs
- Historical Context: The Gilded Age
- Fashion Highlights & Influences
- How Stars Interpreted the Theme
- About the Costume Institute Exhibit
- Cultural Impact and Controversies
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Met Gala?
The Met Gala is an annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Since its inception in 1948, the gala has evolved into the world’s most anticipated fashion event, where designers, celebrities, and other notable figures push sartorial boundaries in creative harmony with each year’s theme.
The gala not only raises funds but also sets the tone for fashion discourse, often sparking conversations about art, history, and identity.
Date and Location
- Date: May 2, 2022
- Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
- Exhibit Opening: The exhibition “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” opened to the public on May 7, 2022, running until September 5, 2022.
Theme Explained: ‘Gilded Glamour’ & ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’
The Met Gala 2022’s official theme is In America: An Anthology of Fashion, serving as the second installment of the Costume Institute’s two-part exhibition. Alongside this, the gala’s guiding dress code was Gilded Glamour, a nod to the United States’ Gilded Age between 1870 and 1900—a period associated with economic expansion, industrialization, and opulent aesthetics.
This year’s theme prompted guests to reinterpret historical American fashion through contemporary lenses, paying homage to lavish silhouettes, intricate embellishments, and the complex societal backdrop of the period.
- ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’: A retrospective exploring foundational moments in American fashion from the 19th to mid-20th centuries.
- ‘Gilded Glamour’: Inspired by the Gilded Age’s extravagant style and contrasts between wealth and underlying social struggles.
Thematic Duality: Artistry & Critique
The word “gilded,” as derived from Mark Twain’s novel The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today, references not pure gold, but a thin golden veneer masking deeper complexities. Thus, the theme not only celebrated opulence but also invited reflection on issues of inequality and transformation.
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Hosts and Co-Chairs
For 2022, the Met Gala featured an impressive panel of hosts and honorary co-chairs, each contributing their style sensibilities and cultural influence:
| Role | Co-Chairs / Hosts |
|---|---|
| Main Hosts | Regina King, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Lin-Manuel Miranda |
| Honorary Co-Chairs | Anna Wintour, Tom Ford, Adam Mosseri (Instagram Head) |
- Regina King: Award-winning actress and director.
- Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds: A-list celebrity couple known for bold sartorial choices.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda: Acclaimed creator of Hamilton and advocate for arts and representation.
- Anna Wintour: Vogue editor-in-chief, longstanding architect of the Met Gala.
- Tom Ford: Renowned designer and former Gucci creative director.
- Adam Mosseri: Instagram’s executive, bridging fashion and digital media.
Historical Context: The Gilded Age
The Gilded Age (1870–1900) was a period of immense economic growth and sweeping transformation in the United States. Business magnates like John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, and Cornelius Vanderbilt built vast fortunes, resulting in displays of extreme affluence. However, beneath the gold surface lay pronounced social challenges: income inequality, tenement living, political unrest, and ongoing racial discrimination.
Mark Twain’s characterization of the era points to its “gilded” nature—beauty and luxury as superficial masks for deeper societal fissures. The 2022 Met Gala invited fashion’s elite to reflect this duality: grandeur paired with subtle critique.
- Economic expansion and industrial prowess defined upper-class aesthetics: corseted silhouettes, lush fabrics, elaborate accessories, and prominent gold motifs.
- Contrasts with social realities: While the privileged displayed opulence, the majority faced economic and social hardship.
Fashion Highlights & Influences
Guests were inspired to blend historical references with modern flair, leaning into Gilded Age elements but often reimagined through contemporary design and personal branding. The result: a kaleidoscope of corsets, ruffles, bustles, ornate gloves, fascinators, shimmering gold details, and—true to the age—lots of lace.
- Popular historical influences included bustled gowns, intricate beadwork, headpieces, and gloves.
- American designers were spotlighted, but labels like Louis Vuitton, Schiaparelli, and Versace also featured prominently.
- Celebrity stylists drew opulence from both period research and innovative reinterpretation, producing ensembles ranging from ultra-traditional to avant-garde.
Though strict adherence to the theme was encouraged, past Met Galas (including 2021’s) showed that many guests prioritized personal style or statements over theme compliance—just as this year saw global designers join American labels on the red carpet.
How Stars Interpreted the Theme
The Met Gala is famous for inventive and sometimes provocative approaches to its themes. In 2022, stars balanced period costume with modern glamour, drawing both praise and critique for their interpretations.
- Blake Lively captivated with an elaborate gown inspired by New York architecture and Gilded Age grandeur.
- Rihanna (in 2021) notably wore Balenciaga couture—a reminder that not all guests strictly adhere to American designers.
- Iman referenced the extravagance of bygone eras with a dramatic gold ensemble.
- Many chose American designer labels such as LaQuan Smith, Ralph Lauren, or AREA, but international couture was well-represented.
Some celebrities interpreted “Gilded Glamour” literally, embracing gold metallics, oversized jewels, and show-stopping silhouettes, while others opted for subtle historical nods, merging past and present.
About the Costume Institute Exhibit
The Met Gala coincided with the launch of In America: An Anthology of Fashion, the second part of the museum’s American fashion series.
- Exhibit Dates: Opened May 7, 2022; ran through September 5, 2022.
- Exhibition Focus: Showcased historical American fashion, with period-centric museum rooms offering immersive storytelling and a “collection” approach to fashion, rather than a lexicon or dictionary of terms.
- Part One: “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” (September 2021)
- Part Two: “Anthology of Fashion”—deeper dive into the art and craft of American style.
Comparing the Two-Part Exhibit
| Part | Focus | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Lexicon of Fashion | Individual moments, defining terms of American fashion | Language as fashion; fragmented, varied looks |
| 2022 Anthology of Fashion | Historical retrospective, curated American fashion collection | Period-piece inspiration; cohesive, story-driven ensembles |
Cultural Impact and Controversies
The 2022 Met Gala’s “Gilded Glamour” theme drew both fascination and criticism for its reflection on current societal challenges. As in its namesake era, the event’s pageantry highlighted economic divides and cultural tensions made more pronounced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Positive Impact: Renewed focus on American fashion history and craftsmanship; platform for diverse designers and creators.
- Critique: Some argued the theme was “tone-deaf,” juxtaposing billionaire-level opulence with real-world struggles (housing, inequality, public health).
- The celebrity interpretations underscored fashion’s power to navigate both artistry and activism, though theme execution sometimes sparked debate about authenticity and sensitivity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: What does ‘Gilded Glamour’ mean in the context of the Met Gala?
A: ‘Gilded Glamour’ references the extravagant fashion of America’s Gilded Age (1870–1900), marked by opulence and intricate detail, but also underpinned by social inequity and historical complexity.
- Q: Was the 2022 Met Gala only about American designers?
A: While the official exhibit and theme spotlighted American fashion, celebrity attendees wore both American and international labels.
- Q: Who were the main hosts of the event?
A: Regina King, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda hosted, with Anna Wintour, Tom Ford, and Adam Mosseri serving as honorary co-chairs.
- Q: Why is the Gilded Age significant for American fashion?
A: The era saw major industrialization and wealth, translating into elaborate dress, innovative textile use, and foundation of American style identity.
- Q: What was the controversy surrounding the theme?
A: The focus on Gilded Age luxury invited critical comparisons to modern economic disparity, sparking debate about fashion’s role in social commentary.
Conclusion
The Met Gala 2022 celebrated American history’s grandeur and tension through Gilded Glamour and the Anthology of Fashion. By examining the opulence and inner contradictions of the Gilded Age—and their resonance today—the event reaffirmed the Costume Institute’s role in shaping not just fashion but the cultural narrative of style, identity, and power.
References
- https://vmagazine.com/article/the-met-gala-2022-theme-has-been-officially-announced/
- https://hypebae.com/2022/3/met-gala-in-america-an-anthology-of-fashion-theme-hosts-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-regina-king-lin-manuel-miranda
- https://www.elle.com/fashion/celebrity-style/a39491391/met-gala-2022-theme-guests-date-explained/
- https://instyleaustralia.com.au/fashion/the-met-gala-2022-hosts-and-theme-have-been-announced/
- https://hypebeast.com/2022/3/met-gala-2022-in-america-an-anthology-of-fashion-regina-king-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-lin-manuel-miranda-announcement
- https://www.esquire.com/uk/style/a39471509/met-gala-theme-2022-in-america-an-anthology-of-fashion/
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/04/28/met-gala-2022-theme-how-to-watch/9553882002/
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