The Met Gala flirts with MAGA

The Met Gala, hosted by the almighty Anna Wintour, will see the world’s most fashionable float up the red carpet on May 5 in New York City. The throngs of designers, models, influencers and celebrities who manage to get the golden-ticket invitation must dress in a style inspired by the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”

This theme is inspired from Monica Miller’s 2009 book, “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.” Dandyism, we’re told, has its origins in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in the 18th century when slaves were dressed up in an extravagant fashion to please their master’s aesthetic. Over the years, dandyism has evolved into men standing out by creating an immaculate look, from the tailoring of their clothing down to sharp accessories including cravats, scarves, ties, hats, cufflinks and shined shoes. Think stylish men like LeBron James, Dapper Dan, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton and – dare we say it – Richard E. Grant.

Hamilton told Vogue that he hopes that the gala “sparks conversation and reconfirms the connection between fashion and self-expression, and how deep it runs in black culture.”

“If you think about where we are in the world – and particularly in the States, in terms of people pulling back on diversity – I think this Met Gala sends a really strong message that we must continue to celebrate and elevate black history.”

While this upcoming Met Gala focuses on masculinity, Emil Wilbekin, an assistant professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, says the gala and accompanying “Superfine” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has a strong political message. “In this era of [Donald]Trump and anti-DEI, the rolling back of civil rights bills, laws and policies, here comes this exhibition that’s celebrating the very thing being rolled back. It’s a very high and very intellectual form of resistance,” he explained.

Wilbekin believes dandyism is the antithesis to the hyper-machismo manifested by Trump, his cabinet, and his billionaire buddies Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. He conceded in a Huffington Post interview, however, that even Republican men have become more “preppy and well done”.

Wintour, the influential figurehead of Vogue and Global Chief Content Officer at Condé Nast, curates the Met Gala guest list, and the list is kept far more secret than Pete Hegseth’s Signal messages right up until when the guests begin gliding in. A famed supporter of Democrats, Wintour’s gilded group include Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin, and her fiancé Alex Soros, son of billionaire mega-donor George. Also expected is Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez – now center-stage in the party – who caused a sensation with her gown with the words “Tax the Rich” emblazoned on the back at the 2021 gala. Tickets now cost $75,000 each.

Wintour, who has previously endorsed Clinton and Barack Obama, expressed her support for Joe Biden in a 2020 Vogue article, saying, “He is unmistakably a man of character and has so many qualities that we are in desperately short supply of in Washington right now: decency, honor, compassion, trustworthiness, and best of all experience.” That quote didn’t age well.

But not so fast! Wintour is also famed for shrewdly keeping her finger on the pulse, and fashion watchers wonder if she may include a few MAGA figures or Republican influencers to the world’s fanciest fancy-dress party, just to stir the pot. A fashion insider said, “While the Gala is all about the theme, the fashion and the hosts, Anna is known for adding a few surprises.” Plus, on the business side, “Tariffs are not good for fashion,” given luxury brands’ reliance on foreign-made fabrics, animal skins for Hermes handbags, and skilled sewing labor. “Anna may wish to play the part of a diplomat.” Perhaps she may still be eyeing the Ambassadorship to London, though Vogue has denied this, and sources say the residence isn’t quite to her taste.

Of all the MAGA billionaires, Jeff Bezos must be high on the guest list. But oddly, it seems he and fiancée Lauren Sanchez – likely still giddy from her trip to space with Katy Perry – may be skipping the lavish event to focus on their own monsters’ ball, their late June wedding in Venice. Elon Musk has been a regular at the gala and previously attended with his model mother Maye and another time with former girlfriend Grimes, having designed her dress. He certainly has the capability to grasp the dandy theme and could even wear his ubiquitous black bejeweled MAGA hat. Plus, there will be a bounty of beautiful women at the gala for him to potentially impregnate as he purposefully plans to repopulate the planet. But is he now beyond the pale?

Ivanka Trump, who has previously attended and opted for a gorgeous high-fashion Givenchy gown at the Inauguration Ball, could make the guest list. Her spokesperson would not confirm. Meanwhile Rihanna’s partner, rapper A$AP Rocky – who is a co-host of the upcoming gala – was freed from a Swedish jail thanks to pressure on the country’s prime minister from Trump after he was involved in a 2019 street brawl. Rocky flew back to Los Angeles wearing a Gucci headscarf and trousers.

Fashion insiders are also wondering if The Don could start his own fashion trend with his gold Trump sneakers, known as “Never Surrender High-Tops” which feature the American flag. The fashion insider said, “The high-tops go well with a suit – but will anyone be brave enough to wear them to the Met Gala?” Don’t expect to see the President on the red carpet. “Nuclear Wintour” has a frosty relationship with Melania, having neglected to put her on the front page of Vogue, as she did with Dr. Jill Biden and Michelle Obama.

Vogue published a stinging piece critiquing Melania’s January White House portrait, in which she stands behind a desk wearing a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo jacket. The magazine served up lines that sounded ripped from the script of “The Devil Wears Prada,” stating the shot makes Melania appear, “more like she was guest starring on an episode of The Apprentice than assuming the role of first lady of the United States,” and “more like a freelance magician than a public servant.” Trump, with his usual charm, probably didn’t help matters by describing the Empress of Conde Nast “Crooked H. Anna Wintour” in 2017.

The award for the biggest dandy in the administration goes to Vice President J.D. Vance, who has his suits handmade by his 90-year-old Italian tailor in Ohio, Romualdo Pelle. But that won’t get him up the red-carpeted stairs at the Met Museum. Multiple fashion sources say there is no chance that Wintour would even bat an eyelash at the Hillbilly veep.