Celebrities flocked to the Met Gala 2021 red carpet on Monday, Sept. 13, flaunting their interpretations of the “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” theme through creative attire. Though, many outfits were questionable in terms of the theme and overall appeal. 

One celebrity in attendance was Kim Kardashian, who wore an all-black, head-to-toe Balenciaga t-shirt dress fit with a diverging train. RCHS students were divided about the implications of the garment and what an all-black shadow had to do with American fashion. 

RCHS Junior Kathleen Gurning said, “I’m really not sure what her creative intentions were. It was just black, not even her face was showing.”  

On Instagram however, Kardashian elaborated on the meaning of her outfit, captioning her      

Met Gala post with “What’s more American than a T-shirt head to toe?”

Many were stunned by the brilliance and simplicity of the garment. Kardashian reposted the review of fashion blogger BryanBoy on Instagram, who declared her outfit a portrayal of “pure brilliance.” He commended her outfit for the American statement of “making yourself known while disguising yourself.” 

While the idea is quite powerful, it is unclear how BryanBoy’s walking paradox encompasses American Independence. 

“It was just not stylish at all,” Gurning said.  

Whether she was truly making a statement about American fashion or cosplaying a dementor, one thing remains true: Kardashian’s garb, politely, belongs in the garbage.  

Many couples also participated in this year’s Met Gala. Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello were pictured together with Mendes in suspenders, a leather jacket, and black trousers while Cabello donned a sparkly purple Michael Kors dress with a feathery train.

How this relates to the theme of “America: A Lexicon of Fashion” is questionable. So is the look overall. 

“Shawn looks like he’s ready for a rodeo and forgot to put a shirt on,” RCHS Junior Precious Ani said. “Camila, beautiful Camila had so much potential with her outfit but it fell short, lacking in creativity and overall significance with the theme.”  

A few other celebrity couples in attendance include Justin and Hailey Bieber as well as Rihanna and ASAP Rocky. 

Ani said, “Rihanna looked dashing in her extravagant dress, however, ASAP Rocky came looking like he was ready for a slumber party with that fruity pebble quilt.” 

Not to mention, neither couple stuck with the theme, clearly.

Another renowned face seen strutting down the Met Gala 2021 red carpet was artist Troye Sivan, who donned a black Joseph Altuzarra tank dress with a plunging neckline and side cutouts accompanied by a leather belt around his arm, and a string of diamonds around his neck. 

According to Vogue red carpet host Keke Palmer, Sivan said the outfit was heavily inspired by the elegant, minimalist styles and the black and white color schemes of New York fashion.

Moreover, Gurning said “I love it because yes, he’s finally showing off his femme side, but like I wish he was more extra. I feel like it was lacking a little.” 

Though, both visually and thematically, Sivan took the cake as compared to the celebrities above. While it could have been more ornate, confidence and pride emanated from the look, coincidentally coinciding with his music and eliminating gender stereotypes in fashion. 

In the end, celebrities wore what they wore for their own reasons, whether their outfits made sense or not.