The Met Gala Extravaganza: American Women Fashioning a National Identity

Monday night the Metropolitan Museum hosted its annual Costume Institute Gala Benefit in honor of their 2010 exhibition ‘American Women: Fashioning a National Identity.’ The event was hosted by Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, Oprah Winfrey and was sponsored by the Gap.

The partnership between the Gap, Conde Nast and the Metropolitan Museum seemed like the perfect partnership at this time. Patrick Robinson of the Gap told Vogue’s Caroline Palmer, ‘Gap is part of the American heritage, especially for the modern woman. If you look at snapshots throughout [Gaps] forty-year history, you can see it reflected in the fashion of the times–from Sharon Stone wearing a Gap tee-shirt to the Oscars, to the idea of wearing a khaki on ‘casual Fridays’..It makes sense that women would express themselves over the years with an iconic American Brand that evolves with them.’

Gap truly is an iconic American brand. But why did the gala decide to partner with an iconic American retailer as opposed to a classic American designer? Perhaps this is telling of the tough economic times we are in as there’s no contestation Gap polos are cheaper than say, Ralph Lauren polos. Perhaps the Met wanted to expand it’s appeal to a wider audience. Passing by a Gap storefront yesterday, I noticed a huge window display advertising the Metropolitan Exhibit. I thought, what a great way for the Met to embrace the public and allow fashion to transcend to the masses.

The theme of American Women Fashioning a National identity was illustrated through the designer gowns worn by guests. Red carpet Gap collaborations were abundant. Jessica Alba looked ravishing in her nude Sophie Thallet for Gap gown, as did Kristen Dunst who wore Rodarte for Gap and Riley Keough dressed in Thakoon for Gap. American Fashion can be defined as simple, classic, clean lines. Calvin Klein exemplified this definition when dressing Zoe Saldana and Diane Kruger in long gowns. Saldana wore a navy one shoulder-sleeved dress while Kruger wore a white long sleeved and high crew neck gown. Both were simple yet elegant. Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors both dressed a slew of celebrities, models and fashionistas as well. American individuality was also celebrated. Katy Perry’s dress, from French brand Cute Circuit, actually lit up! And no one could have worn that turquoise lace Proenza Shouler dress better than Chloe Sevigny.

It is interesting that both hostesses, Ms. Wintour and Operah, did not dress in American designers. Wintour wore a grey rushed Chanel haute couture gown while Operah wore a navy three quarter sleeve V-neck ruffled gown. Both looked spectacular. NY Times’s Cathy Horn asked if Wintour felt pressure to wear clothes by American designers, which Ms. Wintour replied, ‘Well, if you see the exhibition, they’re all wearing French clothes.’ Agreed– American fashion has many influences.

The Metropolitan exhibition will run from May 5th to August 15th and is using pieces from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection. American Women’s fashion from 1890-1940 will be featured and it’s influence on the modern woman will be explored. The exhibition is curated by Andrew Bolton.

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