The Met Gala, renowned for its extravagant fashion statements and A-List guest list, can’t be simplified to a splashy event in the name of the Met’s Costume Institute. It’s a platform where the worlds of art, culture, and politics intersect, capturing the attention of millions worldwide. Despite raising about $26 million at this year’s event, one glaring omission stood out: the absence of any mention or representation of the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
Fashion has a long history of being intertwined with political activism. From the suffragettes’ use of purple, white, and green to symbolise their cause, to the Black Lives Matter movement’s iconic symbols sewn onto garments, clothing has often been a canvas for social and political messages. The Met Gala, with its global reach and influential attendees, presents a prime opportunity for celebrities to leverage their platforms for meaningful activism.
In previous years, celebrities have used their Met Gala outfits to make bold statements on pressing issues. From Cara Delevingne’s “Peg the Patriarchy” slogan to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s red “Tax the Rich” letters plastered across her white dress, the carpet has regularly been a stage for activism as much as it has been for fashion.
This year, however, their silence surrounding Palestine was not only deafening but deeply uncomfortable. Against the backdrop of Rafah attacks and evacuations, a war crime made somehow further cruel as more than 1 million Palestinians, half being children, sought shelter in Rafah according to UNICEF, they stood and posed for photos before eating lavish meals.
While some may still argue that addressing the issue may be too political for this prestigious fashion event, subtle nods could have been made. For instance, incorporating the colours of the Palestinian flag, using watermelons (a nuanced representation of support for Palestine due to its shared colours with their flag), or even more overt messages demanding change could have been powerful statements of solidarity. Even making a small point by using a Palestinian designer to craft the look would have been an important sentiment.
Instead, some outfits at this year’s gala inadvertently echoed the distressing imagery emerging from Palestine. Charli XCX’s dress, inspired by “ripped old white tees,” felt eerily reminiscent of the torn clothing worn by those affected by conflict. It’s a stark reminder that fashion can sometimes unintentionally mirror real-world suffering.
Even off the red carpet, the Met Gala’s influence was felt on social media platforms like TikTok. Videos spread across the platform, such as one featuring model @haleyybaylee with the audio “Let them eat cake,” which drew parallels to Marie Antoinette’s infamous callousness, a comparison that struck a nerve with viewers feeling marginalised and oppressed. Many of her video comments have aligned themselves with being in ‘District 12’ - a reference to Suzanne Collin’s cult dystopian story, the Hunger Games, with the Met Gala being likened to events at the novel’s ‘Capitol’.
Additionally, influential content creators like @venetialamanna highlighted the harsh irony of attendees struggling to breathe and move comfortably in their restrictive outfits. Such as Tyla, whose restrictive dress stopped her from being able to climb the stairs, instead being carried by her security, and Kim Kardashian, whose corset was so tight she was seen visibly struggling to breathe - a side note is the ridiculous body expectations Kardashian also perpetuated with this outfit, but that’s a separate argument. This discomfort serves as a poignant metaphor for the distressing living environments of the communities in Palestine.
Whole collections of clothing making a political message have been created, including Burberry’s AW18 Pride collection and the documentation of Black history in Kerby Jean-Raymond’s spring 2019 Pyer Moss show at Weeksville in Brooklyn. These were essential movements and demonstrated how the celebrities attending on the first Monday of May would have had no difficulty sourcing or creating something that spoke out for the people of Palestine. If they can craft clothing from recycled cans for Niki Minaj’s Marni dress and use literal sand to plaster Tyla’s body for the event, they can sew on patches to draw attention to our need for freedom and solidarity.
The Met Gala has always been about more than just fashion; it’s about making a statement. Whether raising money for charitable causes or using clothing to spark conversations about social justice issues, the event has a history of political engagement.
In a time when the world’s attention is increasingly focused on global conflicts and human rights, the absence of any acknowledgement of Palestine at the Met Gala feels like a missed opportunity. Fashion can amplify voices and effect change, and it’s time for celebrities and designers to recognise and embrace that responsibility. When they create bespoke and lavish outfits, surely they can find ways to show solidarity with those fighting for freedom and justice in Palestine.
Despite these billionaires' lack of accountability, our own students are making their voices heard. They demand our university to divest from weapons manufacturing, cut ties with Israeli universities, and be accountable for their compliance with the genocide. On Instagram you can find out more via @palestine.sccp
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