Let's start with something about me: I hate Colleen Hoover books. I despise how TikTok convinced the world that her writing was revolutionary, her plot lines intricate, her style original. It's a step above airport romance novels in my opinion...so when one of her hit novels, It Ends With Us, was adapted to a movie starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, I was disappointed but not surprised.
And to make matters worse, I was constantly reminded of this fact because it was filmed on my street in Hoboken, New Jersey...but enough about me.
It Ends With Us finally hit theaters on August 9, and the press tour has been nothing short of catastrophic.
We have the internet up in flames ready to burn Blake Lively at the stake for a multitude of reasons (including, but definitely not limited to) her fashion sense, her "pick me" attitude, or her dismissive commentary on domestic abuse, which is a main focus of the film itself. Not only that, but there's clear tension between Justin Baldoni and the rest of the cast, who stumble over cute press questions like "What was it like working together?"
It's all very reminiscent of Olivia Wilde's
Don't Worry, Darling, which starred Florence Pugh and Harry Styles, and was riddled with obvious cast member drama from the beginning...yet, it's less hilarious and more annoying. But let's break down the It Ends With Us press tour drama before you get even more confused.
Let's put it into perspective. Things have gotten so bad that director and actor, Justin Baldoni, has hired the same PR crisis manager (Melissa Nathan) that both Johnny Depp and Logan Paul have used. As the press tour surged on, fans began to notice Baldoni was absent from group press events as reports swirled about disputes between himself and Lively during post-production.
If you see Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni on the same couch together during this press junket, then consider yourself lucky. They've split up their press tour with respective outlets: Baldoni gets
Access Hollywood, Today, ET!, and GMA; Lively gets Vogue, Capital FM, and CBS Mornings.
Sources told
The Hollywood Reporter that disagreements arose during the final cut while filming. Lively, a producer on It Ends With Us, had scenes she wanted and even commissioned her own cut of the film. However, Forbesassures this can happen without indicating a feud.
Fans have been reading in between the lines during press interviews. Lively has made a few interesting comments furthering the creative control rumors. At one point, she even mentions her husband, Ryan Reynolds, wrote a scene in the film, which some believe was the start of their fight. Then, in another interview, Lively shares she got in a fight with an unnamed person about removing a Lana Del Rey song from the film.
However, given the film's references to domestic violence, this Lana Del Rey song could have been considered controversial. "Cherry" details loving a man despite all of the hard times in an extremely toxic and unhealthy relationship. So, if Baldoni was the one Lively had to fight, he may have had a point.
In his own interview with
Elle, Baldoni admits to tensions on set: “There are all these things that happen every day on set, there’s always friction that happens when you make a movie like this. Then at the end of the day, it’s that friction, I believe, that creates the beautiful art,”
Cast member Jenny Slate adds fuel to the fire by dodging questions about Justin Baldoni. Slate told a reporter that it "must be difficult working two jobs" when asked what it was like working with him. When Baldoni was asked about Lively, he claimed it "seems like she's ready to direct."
There's been nothing but shade, and apparently, the movie isn't even that great. What I think everyone can agree on is this press tour needs to end.
Blake Lively has managed to pull off the impossible. It used to be rare for a television star to make the crossover to movie stardom. From George Clooney to Will Smith, few actors in the 90s pulled off that feat. And while it’s a bit more common now, only a select group have soared from teen drama to A-List status.
In recent years, we can point to stars like
Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Charles Melton as proof that there’s life beyond the soapy high school drama. But let’s be honest: they’d be nothing and nowhere without the original cast of Gossip Girl.
The 2000s drama was ahead of the curve. Shows like
Succession and White Lotus have taken up its mantle by commenting on the lives of the elite from the inside but those prep school kids blazed the trail. And leading the pack, forever changing what we think of Grand Central Station, is Blake Lively.
Decades later, she’s still on top. She’s a beloved A-Lister with an enviable marriage, an even more enviable friend group (Taylor, if you’re looking for more besties look no further), and a thriving career.
But how did she go from preppy headbands to Hollywood royalty? And, even more recently, why does her career feel like it’s always on an insane upward trajectory? Especially when, if we have to admit it, she’s not the
greatest actress around. Likability and beauty can get you far — but Blake’s career is astounding. Is she really all that or is she just... really pretty?
Blake Lively's Rise to Fame
Before she was Blake Lively: Hollywood Icon™, she was still the coolest girl on our screens. Her role in
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was pivotal for millennials everywhere. Alongside America Ferrera (Hey Barbie!), Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, this ultimate girl gang rivaled her current Swift squad. We all wanted to be them. We all wanted to wear her pants.
She retained that mantle of being unattainably cool in her pivotal role:
Gossip Girl.
As Serena van der Woodsen, Lively became the ultimate It Girl. Just like her character, she was the epitome of elite 2000s girlhood. She was like Paris and Nicole with an old-money sophistication. She was all bandage dresses and blowouts both on screen and off. Who didn’t try to recreate at least one of Serena's outfits — and with disastrous results! — in the show’s heyday?
Post
Gossip Girl, Blake faced the stingy choices available to young female stars once their adolescent drama rolled its final credits. For women, the desire to grow up in the public’s eyes leads to a string of sexualized roles. Or, the need to branch out manifests in less-than-successful career pivots — sorry to Leighton Meester’s one song.
While Blake didn’t go any of these routes, she didn’t make the splash she yearned for, either. She did a string of subpar movies that are not worth the watch. She starred as a perpetually beautiful woman who didn’t age in
The Age of Adaline — kind of a reverse Benjamin Button except her biggest problem was staying hot forever. Then she starred in the clunky, Gone Girl-esque thriller A Simple Favor alongside Anna Kendrick. Though critics panned it for its nonsensical plot, confusing characters, and flat acting, it found cult fans on streaming and is even an iconic role for many fans — even recently announcing a sequel (we’ll get to that).
She also had forgettable roles as the hot love interest in films like
The Town, a cult Boston crime film for which she put on an okay Boston accent, and Savages, a movie recently revived by Netflix.
As her most notable works post
Gossip Girl, this isn’t the most robust resume. Yet Blake has retained A-List status. I wouldn’t call her an It-Girl, she’s not out partying or having abrat summer, but every time she steps out, she makes headlines. At this point, she’s known as much for her idyllic marriage with Ryan Reynolds and her friendship with Taylor Swift. Her daughter even has a feature in Taylor Swift’s “Gorgeous” — probably a bigger career credit than anything Blake has appeared in since Gossip Girl.
Meanwhile, many of her
Gossip Girl castmates have found success beyond the series. Penn Badgley stars as the creepy serial killer Joe in Netflix’s You. As one of the streamer’s biggest shows, Penn has been catapulted back into the hearts of audiences everywhere — even if his character isn’t the typical heartthrob. Chace Crawford is subverting his pretty-boy looks in The Boys on Amazon, another smash hit series. His character, The Deep, is disturbed and dumb, and played with a brilliant blend of criticism and compassion by Crawford, who doesn’t merely rely on his looks … though he definitely could.
Not to mention her
Sisterhood co-star America Ferrera starring in Barbie, the hottest movie of last summer, and being nominated for an Academy Award. Not her first award buzz, never forget Ferrera’s Emmy-nominated turn as Betty Suarez in Ugly Betty, one of the most addictive shows of the 2000s.
With everyone else in her orbit going on to transcend their roots and prove their actual talent, why hasn’t Blake done the same? And however has she managed to stay the most relevant? So the question is: Is she actually a solid actress, or are we all just distracted by how outrageously gorgeous she is? It's like when your crush says something and you laugh even though it wasn't funny. Are we all just crushing on Blake Lively?
Blake Lively Is The Queen of the Met Gala: Why did she skip Met 2024?
Testament to her enduring A-List status, Lively is one of the people’s favorites at The Met Gala, which she generally attends with her husband year after year. As one of the biggest and most exclusive annual events on the planet, only a handful of celebrities are invited to the Met steps each and every year. Blake is one of the lucky few.
Usually, the invite list is determined by who was most relevant that year. Whose press tour dominated culture and fashion headlines? What musicians were everywhere? Who were the industry It-Girls? Lively hasn’t fit that bill since the 2010s, yet there she is, smiling on the Met Steps each and every year.
It makes some sense when you consider how viral Lively’s looks go every year. She’s an easy muse — so designers never miss when dressing her. Therefore her absence at the
2024 Met Gala was remarkable. Many were hoping she’d revive the success of her most memorable gown from the Heavenly Bodies exhibit. But alas, nothing. Some speculated a falling out with Anna. Others, another pregnancy. Or was Blake finally just … uninvited?
Turns out, she was just busy being a mom and working on her various projects. I’ll admit, I was skeptical when I heard this. What projects? Lively’s biggest projects are The Met and
Kansas Chief’s games. Sometimes I think she’s as much of a nepo bestie as Travis Kelce is a nepo boyfriend. But I recently ate my words. Blake Lively has a stacked Q2 — proving we too can finish the year strong even if we were lagging in the first half.
Blake's Been Busy: Everything Blake Lively has been up to in 2024
So what are all these projects Lively is so busy with? Surprisingly, a slate of blockbuster films and a brand new business. She’s already embarked upon various press tours, which is why she’s everywhere right now.
Her most prominent, and controversial, venture for the year: starring in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s blockbuster
It Ends With Us. This BookTok favorite is divisive to say the least. While Colleen Hoover’s genre of easy-to-read romantic fiction went viral, the literati aren’t a fan. The main point of contention: the writing is stinko. But to each their own. And on this particular book, Hoover’s critics are accusing of profiting from abuse and trauma because the film romanticizes an abusive relationship.
Yet, the power of BookTok compelled the studios to adapt this novel into a big budget movie starring Lively alongside Justin Baldwin, known for
Jane The Virgin. For a minute, thanks to last year’s succession of strikes, it looked as though the movie might be scrapped. Call it Lively’s luck, but production continued against all odds and here we are: moments away from its big premiere.
Watch the Trailer for It Ends With Us here:
But that’s not the only press tour Blake is on. She joined her husband Ryan Reynolds on the press tour for
Deadpool and Wolverine, even upstaging Reynolds and his co-star Hugh Jackman with her look for the final premiere.
Alongside Gigi Hadid, she appeared on the red carpet at
Lady Deadpool. Little did we know, this was a hint of things to come. In case you forgot (I definitely did) Lively had a brief role as Lady Deadpool in the canonically awful Green Lantern films. She kind of reprised the role as the voice of Lady Deadpool in this new movie — just one of many cameos and Easter eggs in Marvel’s latest bloated action flick.
When not campaigning for wife-of-the-year, bestie of the year, or promoting
It Ends With Us, she’s been filming the much-awaited sequel to A Simple Favor. She and Anna Kendrick have reprised their roles: mysterious Hot Mom (Lively, obviously) and Bored Mommy Blogger (Kendrick in an abundance of floral sundresses and wedges).
This sequel comes so long after the original because, despite the initial bad reviews, it found another life on streaming platforms. So, get ready to comfort-watch or hate-watch when it comes out — I'll be doing both.
But Blake isn’t only trying to pump some much needed life back into her acting career. She’s enetered her Business Mogul Era. She’s already founded the brands Betty Buzz and Betty Booze and now she’s branching into beauty. Known for her scorching flowing locks, why
wouldn’t she make a haircare brand?
The collection is called Blake Brown Beauty after her maiden name — which Reynolds joked he only just found out. Priced at $25 and under, Blake Brown Beauty is launching exclusively in Target to corner the affordable haircare market. The line consists of shampoos, masks and styling product. If there's one thing the world needs more of, it's celebrity beauty brands, right?
Promising to give the world that Blake Lively shine, the brand is a departure form many DTC celebrity beauty ventures, such as Cecred by Beyonce, Rate Beauty by Selena Gomez, or Hailey Bieber’s rhode. Instead, Blake is doing what she does best: going for mass appeal. It’s worked so far, might as well bet the house (or the hair) on it. But let's be real, unless her shampoos come with a personal stylist and a Hollywood paycheck, we might just be setting ourselves up for disappointment.
This approach is similar to another celebrity whose success Blake takes major cues from: Jennifer Aniston. Before there was Serena, there was Rachel. From inspiring trends to becoming the people’s princess, Aniston and Lively have a lot in common. Namely that they’ve built gigantic careers on an average amount of talent. Pretty privilege is really kind to some.
Now, I’m no hater. I love looking at beautiful people as much as the next person. But as we brace ourselves for a Blake resurgence, someone
has to say it: she’s prettier than she is talented.
The truth is, Blake Lively, like Jennifer Aniston, has found her niche. She's good at being likable, at being the girl next door (if the girl next door lived in a mansion and was married to Deadpool). And in Hollywood, that's a skill in itself.
So, is Blake Lively overrated? Maybe. Is she the second coming of Meryl Streep? Probably not. But is she good at what she does? Absolutely.
At the end of the day, Blake Lively is like that really pretty, really nice girl from high school who you want to hate but simply can't. She's not changing the world, but she's not trying to. She's just out here, living her best life, making us all wish we could pull off headbands and making Ryan Reynolds Instagram posts slightly more tolerable.
So here's to you, Blake Lively. You may not be perfect, you may not be revolutionary, but damn it, you're doing your thing. And sometimes, that's enough.
So while I won’t be tuning into her latest slate of films or buying her beauty brand, I’ll be enjoying her press tour simply for the opportunity to decide which of her looks hit, and which of them miss.
For sports fans, there's the Super Bowl. For fashion fans, there's the Met Gala.
Every year on the first Monday in May, Anna Wintour, reigning editor-in-chief and pinnacle of fashion at
Vogue, hosts the Met Gala. It's technically a charity event to raise an egregious amount of money for The Costume Institute...but in reality, it's an excuse for the biggest celebrities in the world to flaunt looks from the biggest fashion houses in the world.
All we ever get to see from the elusive Gala is the red carpet, but for about three hours the world circulates photos of outfits...judging like they have degrees in fashion and are the next Joan Rivers. But this year's theme was especially exciting for me.
What was the 2024 Met Gala Theme?
This year's theme was
Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, with the focus being "Garden in Time." A "sleeping beauty" in fashion refers to a piece that is only worn once before being stored away forever. These pieces are often tarnished after they're worn once.
But as always, there's a theme within the theme. "Garden in Time" implied nods to nature, which would explain the floral prints and natural elements like mother of pearl and wood. These themes also opened the door for sustainability: reworking and re-wearing pieces that have already existed. Not creating an entirely new costume from scratch.
Once these pieces go on display, they can't be touched again or they're considered ruined. While many celebrities weren't wearing original "Sleeping Beauty" pieces, there were references to vintage collections from classic designers like Versace, Alexander McQueen, and, of course, Loewe.
Loewe happened to be the belle of the ball this year. The hottest brand of 2024 (by far) secured high-profile celebrities like Taylor Russell, Ariana Grande, Dan Levy, Omar Apollo, and more. And not only was
everyone wearing Loewe, the craftsmanship and detail was breathtaking in every way.
As I continued to watch notable figure after notable figure grace the famous Met staircase, I continued to wonder where every Met Gala icon was? Where was Rihanna and A$AP Rocky? Blake Lively? Hailey and Justin Bieber? Selena Gomez, perhaps?
THE Bella Hadid? Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce? Harry Styles? Billie Eilish and FINNEAS?
Perhaps a few literally slept through the Met Gala this year...but nonetheless, the celebs showed up. And I'm here to critique them.
Best Dressed
Lana Del Rey
Her first Met in six years and Lana Del Rey shines in custom-made Alexander McQueen. She's on-theme, the embodiment of Mother Nature.
Mona Patel
Of course, this was a Law Roach style. But Mona Patel had, by far, the best dress of the night. The animated butterflies on her arms were magical.
Tyla
Nothing says "Sleeping Beauty" more than a gown made of sand specifically molded to Tyla's body. She even had to get carried up the stairs in her custom Balmain.
Zendaya
Law Roach, the stylist you are. Zendaya treated the Met stairs as her runway with multiple show-stopping looks.
Kendall Jenner
I mean, the dress literally was only ever worn on a mannequin and fit Kendall Jenner - with no tailoring. That's fate.
Mindy Kaling
The dress, titled "Melting Flower of Time", was designed by Gaurav Gupta. It was walking art, stunned.
Harris Reed
Harris Reed is responsible for some of Harry Styles' most iconic looks...but tonight, they were the moment.
Taylor Russell
Speaking of Harry Styles...Taylor Russell had one of my favorite Loewe pieces. The wood bodice corset contrasted with the gown.
Worst Dressed
Kylie Jenner
I just think she could've done more than a vintage bridal look...
Leonardo DiCaprio at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 09 Feb 2020
John Salangsang/BEI/Shutterstock
Updated: September 15, 2022
Did I not warn everyone below that this was happening? Was anyone listening? Yesterday, Page Six reported that Leonardo DiCaprio saw that chart and decided to skew the data by dating 27-year-old Gigi Hadid.
The reports began flooding in yesterday morning that the two were "spending time together" during New York Fashion Week...and then later that day they were officially a couple. What I see here is that Zayn Malik is now single.
Gigi Hadid, the coolest supermodel ever, dating Leonardo DiCaprio just mere seconds after he broke up with Camila. It's all a bit too much for me. I don't know how to feel but I'm still convinced Leo is up to no good.
“That’s what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age…”
–Matthew McConaughey in
Dazed And Confused, and Leonardo DiCaprio, probably.
Leonardo DiCaprio, 47, doesn’t care if you’re short, tall, what
ever… He only cares if you’re under the age of 25. After his split with Argentine model and actress Camila Morrone, his dating trends strike the public as odd. It seems as though once his girlfriends become a certain age - the ever-ancient 25 - he ditches them for a newer model.
A Reddit chart detailing all of his love interests is going viral. And they all have one shocking thing in common. They’re in their early 20s to 25 years of age, and are certainly never older.
“By the time girls reach 25, they’re looking for more — they’re looking to get married and settle down. That is not what Leo wants. He does not want a family and does not want to be around women who may press him for that,”
Among current, eligible A-List bachelorettes on the market are the likes of Kim Kardashian and Emily Ratajkowski. But it appears Gigi Hadid has taken the early lead, as there are reports of the two hooking up shortly after his breakup. At 27, she’s a tad old for his taste…but nothing surprises me anymore.
The girl Leonardo DiCaprio will dump when he’s 72 was born today — Peachy Keenan (@KeenanPeachy) August 31, 2022
The Once Upon A Time….In Hollywood actor has dated the most beautiful women in the world like Blake Lively, Gisele Bundchen, and Naomi Campbell. He’s also dated some of the youngest.
This behavior is a bit concerning, but luckily Leo is off partying in Malibu - so don’t think he’s too worried! Who needs to do the necessary mature, introspective work when you’re Leo?!
Why Does the Met Gala take it out of me? It’s my Super Bowl — and every year I feel like I’ve played the big game, or attended the big event — falling into my bed completely wrung out. All this, after doing nothing but sitting on my couch. Why?
Despite not actually participating in the official festivities on the first Monday in May, I do participate in my own way. The mental, and sometimes physical, strain of judging other people’s outfits has me furiously texting group chats, drafting think pieces in my head, and leaping off my sofa to cheer at the TV when I see something I adore.
For hours, my eyes are glued to Vogue’s live stream of the most glam, red-carpet event of the year. This is fashion’s equivalent of the Oscars, the Grammys, the New York City Marathon, and any other seminal event — and it’s mine too. So I take my prep seriously. I prepare a full spread of snacks, charcuterie, and wine. I get in my comfiest clothes. And I load up on Red Bull and Gatorade. Then I make up fun drinking games like “whenever a Kardashian shows up looking off-theme - TAKE A SHOT.” Well … usually.
Arriving at work sluggish and sleep-deprived the wine and sugar crash is not my favorite part of this ritual. And “it was the Met Gala” is not a good excuse to explain my grouchiness. This year, I made one small change that made all the difference.
I wasn’t really willing to relinquish all my traditions, and with Cure Hydration I didn’t have to. I’m old enough to know that loading up on hydration is crucial to a speedy recovery from a long woozy-boozy night. I learned this lesson the hard way in college — who knew I’d need to rely on it for a night basically spent alone in my apartment.
With Cure Hydration, all you need is a glass of water and one of their hydration-boosting sachets. Cure Hydrationpackets contain 4 times the electrolytes of leading sports drinks without all the extra sugar and restore balance to your body.
Stir one Cure Hydration sachet in water and you have the equivalent electrolytes of four sports drinks. Goodbye Gatorade, hello Cure Hydration. Their formula is based on the World Health Organization’s ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). This has been used to successfully maximize hydration for water-insecure communities and has been proven to hydrate as effectively as an IV drip.
Plus, with no added sugar, there’s no crash. I’m the proof: I watched the Met Gala with all the impassioned fervor I usually do and woke up this morning feeling better than I did the day before.
With increased stamina, my takes on the event are more invested, sharper, and a titch more brutal —just how I like them.
The 2022 Met Gala’s theme was “Gilded Glamor.” Drawing from the Golden Age —a time of excess and ostentatiousness — it was the perfect theme for creativity and drama. Too bad it was a tawdry parade of skintight sequin dresses.
We were expecting Bridgerton vibes, inspiration from the show The Golden Age, and lots of big skirts and OTT hairstyles. While some understood the assignment — and some more subtle approaches work — the majority of the attendees fumbled the bag — as per usual.
From my point of view, here are some of the highlights of the good, the bad, and the … intriguing?
One thing about Lizzo is she’ll always put on a show. One of the best-dressed of the night, Lizzo wore a dramatic black gown and gold-adorned cape with matching accessories. Thom Browne’s flair for updated traditional pieces was on full display here, and so was Lizzo’s performance acumen when she brought out her golden flute to play a song. Iconic!
The Good: Quannah Chasinghorse in Prabal Gurung and Lenise Omeasoo
In a similar vein, Indigenous model and activist Quannah Chasinghorse wore a decadent blue gown accessorized with jewelry by Indigenous artist and activist, Lenise Omeasoo. Omeasoo posted the statement necklace on Instagram, saying: “Each beaded tipi upon her necklace represents her community’s love and support. May she inspire many and break countless more boundaries in the fashion world.”
As one of the hosts of the night, of course Blake Lively brought the drama. A Met Gala favorite, Lively had a lot to live up to. So she stunned in a dress that transformed before our eyes right there on the red carpet. Inspired by New York architecture and the epochal buildings which rose up to form the Manhattan skyline during the Gilded Age, her metallic dress paid homage to buildings like Grand Central and the Empire State. It then transformed to teal? Turquoise? Teal-y Turquoise? to symbolize Lady Liberty — shocking in the best way.
Hailey’s elegant look achieves precisely what Kim Kardashian was aiming for (more on that later). This masterclass in minimalism was super on-theme. The accessories were world-class. Her fur shawl added the necessary drama, while her nylons and black heels took the look from basic to perfectly sleek and subtly glamorous. Brava.
Is it me, or does this remind you of a product on an episode of the show Is It Cake? where it’s way too obvious that it’s cake? The fit is off, the skirt is somehow too sensational and not sensational enough. And her glam is giving Selena Gomez in 2019 at the Heavenly Bodies gala — which is to say, greasy and regrettable.
Respectfully … no. Kylie was giving 2012 Tumblr vibes with her backward snapback and mesh tee … which turned into a cake-topper-like gown. While the bottom of the dress was adequately big and dramatic, the top half was confusing and unrelated to the theme. One of the most egregious looks of the night.
Unfortunately, many Met Gala looks are lackluster and forgettable. Somehow, Amy Schumer’s drab dress was so poorly executed that I can’t forget it — and instead makes the Worst Dressed List of the night. What is gilded or glamorous about this, Amy? Nothing.
The … Intriguing: Kim Kardashian as Marilyn Monroe
For weeks, rumors had been flying around that Kim Kardashian would wear the for-real Marilyn Monroe dress that she famously wore to sing “Happy Birthday Mr. President” to JFK. While rumors proved true, the execution left a little to be desired. Just one night before the Met Gala, Kim K attended the White House Correspondents Dinner and was hyper-primed for the Marilyn era. Although she went blonde for the occasion, her slicked-back hair would really have rocked had it been styled like Ms. Monroe’s. Instead, the glam was too predictable — where was the signature red lip? And that shawl — that shawl! — where’d she get that? Looks like some polyester schmatta from FashionNova. It seemed to me that she’d just shimmied into that quintessential vintage dress — can it be true that the dress is 60 years old??! — then strutted onto the carpet. There's also discourse around the unhealthy amount of weight she lost to fit into the dress and the glorifying of diet culture. Yikes.
Skater boy Evan Mock has quickly become Fashion It-boy Evan Mock due to his trademark pink hair, Instagram fame, and being cast in the Gossip Girl reboot. This experimental look was so close to being one of my soiree favorites… if only it had fit better. The corset rests awkwardly on his hipbones and the oversized pants weren't closely tailored. I wanted a shorter corset! I wanted abs! I wanted a full-on daring look — he has it in him to pull it off! I did — however — love that he supported a young designer. Definitely a notable look of the night. But good? So close, but no cigar.
There are lots of aspects to admire in Billie Eilish’s look. But after she was one of the best dressed last year as one of the hosts, this Gucci ensemble falls short. The dress is definitely on-theme, and its reference to a Gilded Era portrait is artful. However, the dress itself is far less impressive than the inspiration. The skirt draped oddly and that dark hair looked off-kilter. One commendable thing about the dress is its use of “existing materials,” making it a zero-waste outfit. We love to see it … I just wished I loved it more.
The… Intriguing: Ansel Elgort being invited at all
Proof that “cancel culture” doesn’t exist: Ansel Elgort copping an invite to the most exclusive event of the year after allegations against him emerged during the pandemic. Did they imagine we’d forget? And did he think we’d be swayed by an outfit that looks like he’s cosplaying as a dumbwaiter? No to both.
Who are the 2022 Met Gala hosts? What is the Met Gala theme? Who will be Best Dressed at the 2022 Met Gala? And all the questions we need answered before the first Monday in May
Each day we get closer and closer to the most momentous, most glamorous Monday of the year: The Met Gala.
For the first time since 2019, the first Monday in May will mark fashion’s most spectacular event once again. With 2020 being canceled outright and the 2021 event postponed to September, this sensational evening is finally back and bigger than ever.
Bring me Rihanna in elaborate ball gowns with giant skirts, bring me Zendaya floating up the stairs — and Jason Derulo tumbling down them — bring me Harry Styles (with Olivia Wilde, please-please?) looking ethereal, Billy Porter transported in by shirtless models, and Lil Nas X strutting about in metallic armor or dripping diamonds.
After the stunning displays of sartorial experimentation at the 2022 Oscars (Read our Best Dressed list here!), I can’t wait for this year’s (hopefully redemptive) Ball.
The 2022 met gala theme is a continuation of last year, culminating in a two-year exhibition. 2021 was In America: A Lexicon in Fashion, and In America: An Anthology Of Fashion premieres on May 2nd, 2022 — a regularly scheduled Gala. Although the theme was decided years ago by Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute feels timely as the country reckons with its very identity.
This year’s event also celebrates the Costume Institute’s 75th anniversary. According to Bolton, the night pays homage to the American fashion community “to acknowledge its support, and also to celebrate and reflect upon American fashion.”
Compared to more established houses in Europe, American fashion has been an underdog in fashion‘s Western landscape. While American designers have often helmed major European powerhouses — such as Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton — American brands find it more difficult to gain the same pedigree.
While fashion can be exclusionary in many ways, often the best parts of American fashion reflect the best parts of American culture.
In Highsnobiety’s recent tell-all interview, “Read This Before You Decide to Work in Fashion,” which is a cutting insider’s take on the fashion industry, Eugene Rabkin highlights the most redeemable part of the industry. He describes this as: “the aspirational class — the immigrants, the expats, the minorities, the restless souls with the kind of passion that often comes from desperation and the desire to make something out of nothing.”
This year’s Costume Institute Exhibit endorsed designers’ concoctions that represent marginalized communities and use fashion as a tool for creativity and storytelling, rather than as a marker of status.
Many visionary designers will grace the red carpet at the Met Gala for their pioneering work. However, last year’s disappointing showing at the Met Gala makes us wary of what this year will bring.
Despite the opportunity for unique, refreshing fashion showings at the 2021 gala, we ended up with boring tat, prom-like gowns, and garish ensembles. Current maximalist trends were at odds with the classic silhouettes which inspired the event’s motif. Lackluster wares made for mighty a weak statement on American Fashion.
In fact, most of the looks made us cringe.
Controversial guests like Addison Rae and Madison Beer proved the skeptics correct by pulling up in ill-fitting prom dresses. Some of the more statement outfits fell so flat they were hard to look at. I mean … I can barely believe Ciara wore a neon green, sequined cutout dress. And let’s not forget that it was emblazoned with a jersey number and she accessorized with a football — Kaepernick is taking a knee somewhere.
Even the highly anticipated guest list of the night was controversial. The elephant in the room: Timothee Chalamet wore converse. And sweatpants? The outfit was confusing and the juxtaposition was debatably successful — but his charm carried it.
This year, however, the theme is similar but it’s thankfully not a repeat.
“Gilded Glamor” is a more traumatic view of American fashion. Thematically taking cues from the Gilded Age of oil money, railroads, and big skirts with big hair. This year’s chairs are Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Lin Manuel Miranda, and Regina King. Perhaps this overtly dramatic affair will inspire gowns with trains as long as the carpet, wigs so heavy you worry for the wearers’ necks, and fashion that reflects the theatre of our times.
As usual, I’ll be in sweatpants watching from my couch, critiquing thousand-dollar dresses and ensembles that took days to assemble.
But even if I’m merely watching from the comfort of my sofa, the Met Gala, which takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, inevitably inspires my summer fashion year after year. I love daring to dress up. And feel like I’ve been granted implicit permission from the Met Gala. to express myself through audacious and dramatic clothing choices.
One of my most recent places for some fabulous inspiration has been Vivaia. It’s my go-to place for my clothing and accessory needs. After all, no matter the cost of your outfit, the accessories can make or break it.
If I learned anything from the 2021 Met Gala is that details matter. Every piece of an outfit is important, from your statement pieces to your jewelry or footwear. And good shoes and accessories can run you a pretty penny. But they don’t have to. Vivaia has high-quality products that check all the boxes: affordability, style, and sustainability.
Vivaia's core mission is to create stylish, sustainable footwear that is eco-friendly and responsible. They have carved out a line of luxurious and fashion-forward footwear with exceptional quality at a fair price. They expanded into accessories to broaden the scope of their mission, and now they’re my favorite place to shop.
While thrifting for second-hand or eco-friendly clothing is getting easier, I found that there are few brands that feature sustainable accessories or stylish shoes. Vivaia is changing that landscape and changing the world.
This year, I hope to see a similar focus on sustainability in the fashion world at large. One sustainable, Vivaia-clad step at a time. We can only hope.
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