In recent years, The Costume Institute’s party (aka the Met Gala) celebrated Chanel, Poiret, and then “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.” (?!) last year; I was secretly hoping this year would be better. But it’s clearly not so much of a good show but drama instead …
MODELS ON STRIKE | The Met Gala has no doubt become a fashion industry’s Oscar show now. Titled “The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion”, hosted by Marc Jacobs, Kate Moss and Justin Timberlake, despite being the subject, we see more Hollywood stars than models in the coverage. New designers escorted by new models in their gears has become the gala’s red carpet cliche, both newbies have no choice but to support. Very unfortunately and ironically so, none of “The Trinity” from the 90s show up: Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington had announced their absence early on. Naomi Campbell originally planned to “outshimmer and outshine every mannequin in sight that night” along with Stephanie Seymour called off also. Some suggested this is an act pointing to hostess Kate Moss, but judging by the very close relationship between Christy, Kate, Naomi, Linda have with Marc Jacobs, they’d have shown up 
and supported. Then in line with Seymour and Campbell’s disapproval that afternoon, it’s got to do with complaints from the Paris designer Azzedine Alaïa that his work was not included in the exhibition. The omission from Campbell’s “Papa”- Mr. Alaïa was surprising given the close relationship he had with the models throughout their careers, and who had seven dresses prepared for models to attend the event, including for Seymour and Evangelista. Although denied for having any involvement in the exhibition, this is Anna’s party at the end, whose fuels with Alaïa for many years was well recorded.
THE POWER SHOW | Also, to take a deeper look, this is very much a LVMH show too, co-hosted by Marc Jacobs (who works for Vuitton and his company owned by the group), having groupies like John Galliano, Donna Karan in presence, and not a single Gucci Group designer/gown in sight – accept Stella McCartney, who dressed Liv tyler, Kate Bosworth and Kate Hudson. Fellow Karl Lagerfeld, Dolce and Gabbana, Michael Kors, the Fendis or the Missonis and many other international peers, Vogue editors mover and shakers etc pulled a no show due to hectic schedule, or cost cutting who knows. At the end this is a big bill event we’re talking about here: $250,000 for a prime table, plus entourage, flight ticket and accommodation.
Have they (i.e. The Met & Vogue US) ever thought about celebrating living designer like Diana Vreeland did for Saint Laurent in 1982? Azzedine Alaïa should indeed be put on top of the list, but we’re unlikely to see that happen as long as Anna’s in the reign. Until then … what about American fashion? Calvin Klein? or even the late Geoffrey Beene?
