By Chinazam Ikechi-Uko.
A Tale Of Two Brothers is one of the beloved episodes from the final season of the hit anime, Attack On Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin). The 19th episode of the final season which aired in 2022, not a standalone episode, focuses on the complex relationship between Eren Yeager and Zeke Yeager, half-brothers who share the Founding Titan power. There also bears a supporting tale about the relationship between another pair of brothers, Colt Grice and Falco Grice, which ended with one dying yet both living on.
The creation of the Met Gala has a similar story to the latter storyline. Despite being a male-dominated industry, the fashion industry is heavily perceived as a female-dominated one, so it comes as a surprise to none that the fashion version of the episode’s secondary plot began with A Tale Of Two Sisters.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MET:
The first Monday in May marks the day of the Met Gala. Before the annual anticipation of Rihanna’s looks on the pink steps or reuse of Karlie Kloss’s meme of “Looking Camp (2019 theme) right in the eye” just for her to show up in one of the worst-ranked looks. There was an exhibit, a struggling museum and a dream.
The dream started with sisters, Irene Lewisohn and Alice Lewisohn Crowley in the 1920s. They embarked on a journey as collectors of clothes they believed could be used as costumes for different garb, historical, geographical or cultural. By 1939, they established it as the Museum of Costume Art (now The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art, MMoA) on 5th Avenue, New York with Aline Berstein.
The three women oversaw the costume exhibitions which were in collaboration with the MMoA from 1940 to 1944. As Irene passed on from lung cancer in 1944, not allowing the dream to die, the museum enlisted the help of Eleanor Lambert who would entirely change the game.
As P.T. Barnum discovered in The Greatest Showman, to sell museum tickets, one needs something more than wax figures, one needs something “alive” and the new boss knew this. Her solution to the financial crisis of the exhibits? Create the party of the year, although it was once called Party Of The Year, today, it is known as the Met Gala.
THE MET GALA OF TODAY:
This began in 1948 as a fundraiser dinner, tickets were $50 and it raised $350,000, which accounting for inflation, would be around $5 million today; attendees were mostly New York high society and fashion insiders.
Diana Vreeland (then Vogue editor-in-chief) joined the team in 1973, introducing themes, and attracting international attention. By the 1990s, current Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour created the star-studded extravaganza with elaborate outfits and a focus on celebrity fashion.
Despite some complaints that the event has become more entertainment-focused than educational, its donations keep the lights on and water running at the MMoA. Moreover, it has significantly increased the museum’s popularity and as Irene and Alice hoped, it has raised awareness of dress in human history and has made the case for fashion as one of the decorative arts; according to the book, Empress Of Fashion: A Life Of Diana Vreeland, that was their very aim.
THIS YEAR’S MET GALA:
This year’s theme not to be mistaken for the costume exhibition’s theme is Garden of Time. The 2024 Met Gala is held on May 6th at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. It celebrates the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” exhibit with a “Garden of Time” dress code.
The Costume Institute will showcase ~ 250 rare pieces from its collection, spanning 4 centuries. Look out for iconic designs from Schiaparelli, Dior, and Givenchy, as well as delicate garments such as an 1877 Charles Frederick Worth gown, brought to life through innovative displays featuring video animation, light projections, and AI/CGI technology.
WHO GETS TO ATTEND AND WHO DO WE WANT TO SEE?
The Met Gala’s guest list is kept secret until the event. Instead of selling tickets, corporate sponsorships are incorporated, allowing designers to make donations and choose their muses. The guest list strives to reflect the current cultural scene, creating a night where fashion and fame merge.
Lately, the fashion industry has become aware of the juggernaut that is the Nigerian entertainment industry with Tems being recognised as an emerging fashion icon. Last year, we saw Tems, Burna Boy and Skepta grace the pink carpets at the Met Gala. This year, these are the African stars we hope to see and we know they can interpret the theme.
ASAKE:
Mr. Money with the Vibe is undoubtedly a fashion lover, he is constantly photographed in creative and unique silhouettes. One never to shy away from avant-garde, Asake can easily slip in as a Junya Watanabe, Thom Browne, Schiaparelli or Comme des Garçons muse.
AYRA STARR:
In January 2021, Ayra Starr made her big debut, at only 18, she came out swinging, and by August of the same year, she dropped her debut album. This introduced the public to her, her sound and her style. A style she has held onto dearly, her love of mini skirts. She has sat front row of high fashion brands such as Balmain and Off-White. Her style can be easily adapted into a Met Gala-worthy look with brands such as Mugler, Vivienne Westwood, Area and Marc Jacobs (she has a kiki boots obsession, check her Instagram and performances).
TYLA:
2024 has been a big year for Tyla and the fashion industry has taken a liking to her as she has starred in campaigns for Gap and has been photographed in fashion magazines wearing brands such as Poster Girl, Loewe, Isabel Marant, AVAVAV and many more. Her love for deconstructed garments makes her a suitable fit for Sacai, Ottolinger, Dilara Fındıkoğlu and a Nensi Dojaka for the after-party.
ADEKUNLE GOLD:
Adekunle Gold is so stylish that he has surpassed the levels of steeze expected for a man and crossed over into the “I am so stylish people question my sexuality” zone. A zone that was once filled with A-list stars such as David Bowie, Prince, Kurt Cobain and many more. The internet often jokes about why men stopped dressing to match their lovers’ fire, but no one has given us a proper thesis on where the stylish men went, leaving Lenny Kravitz as a relic of the dying breed. Adekunle Gold and the other men on this list are here to provide a glimmer of hope for a renaissance of stylish men. Gold is often on the lookout for young emerging brands as he was one of the first stars to embrace Nigerian-Indian designer, Ahluwalia after her LVMH prize win. Peter Do, Aubero, and Dion Lee are right up his alley.
REMA:
Rema established himself as a high street lover, often donning brands such as Off White, Places + Faces, Daily Paper, and Supreme. These days, he seems to have opted out of the predictable menswear and has started playing around with avant-garde and other aspects of high fashion as seen in his Ravages era. Brands such as Bottega Veneta, 1017 ALYX 9SM, Louis Vuitton and if he has it in him, Maison Margiela are perfect for exploring the extremities of high streetwear in menswear.
AMAARAE:
Di Pesta, Seks, Mugler, Christopher Esber, Blumarine, Dion Lee and Miu Miu; one look into Amaarae’s socials and the image is clear, she is a fashion girl. Although she often takes on a dominant a la fetishwear style, Amaarae’s style portfolio ranges from established designers to emerging ones and she knows the cult classics. Brands such as Versace, Mowalola, Balenciaga, Chrome Hearts and LaQuan Smith are the best at executing a sexy dominating borderline fetishwear fashion.
