While the Met Gala is quintessentially the fashion Oscars, at its core, it’s a charitable event centered around endowment for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Often the coinciding fashion exhibitions incorporate artwork as part of the curatorial theme; 2019’s iteration, Camp: Notes on Fashion, included works by Warhol and Robert Mapplethorpe, alongside gowns by Mugler and Versace. We saw this translate to the gala (pink) carpet, with attendees channeling historical and contemporary interpretations of camp-based art into ensembles. This year, there were a few looks that instantly made us think of some famous works of art from Lupita’s literal inspiration from collagist Lorna Simpson, to Gabrielle Union’s Iris van Herpen look that harkens the essence of a Richard Sweeney paper sculpture. Since the event takes place at a museum, and the worlds of fashion and art often intertwine, we thought we would pair up a few of our favorite 2021 Met Gala looks with their art doppelgängers.
Check out our mini curated exhibit, inspired by some 2021 Met Gala looks, below:
lupita x lorna simpson:
Work: ‘Touching’, by Lorna Simpson. Courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Worth.
ciara x esmaa mohamoud:
Work: ‘One of The Boys’, by Esmaa Mohamoud, 2017-2019. Courtesy of artist and Georgia Scherman Projects.
troye sivan x tom of finland:
Work: ‘Untitled’, sketch by Tom of Finland.
Leon Bridges x deana lawson:
Work: ‘Cowboys’, by Deana Lawson, 2014. Courtesy of Studio Museum In Harlem.
Kim petras x picasso:
Work: Horse Head, Sketch for “Guernica”, by Pablo Picasso, 1937.
karlie x georgia o’keeffe:
Work: ‘Red Canvas’, by Georgia O’keeffe, 1927.
Jordan Alexander x Gabriel dawe:
Work: ‘Plexus A1’, by Gabriel Dawe, 2016.
Hailey bieber x John Singer Sargent:
Work: ‘Madame x’, by John Singer Sargent, 1883–84.
dan x david wojnarowicz:
Work: ‘F*$# You F*@#&% F*&%#!’, by David Wojnarowicz, 1984.
Evan Mock x Fergus Greer:
Work: Leigh Bowery, by Fergus Greer, 1994.
whitney peak x mickalene thomas:
Work: ‘Portrait of Kalena’, by Mickalene Thomas, 2017.
Kim x george condo:
Work: ‘Untitled’, by George Condo, 1985. Courtesy of The Broad.
