The Met Gala - also formally known as the Costume Institute Gala or the Met Ball - is one of the most prestigious fashion events in the calendar year. This glamorous annual event helps to raise funds for the The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art's Costume Institute. Usually hosted on the first Monday in May every year, the event in New York sees famous icons, celebrities and stars walk the stairs draped, dressed as according to the theme; but this year will be a little different.
Pending guidelines, the Met Gala is scheduled to occur on Monday 13th September 2021, with the Costume Institute hosting a two-part exhibition over 2021 and 2022: "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" and "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" respectively. Whilst we shall have to wait a few months more for more iconic looks in Met Gala history, we at A Hand Tailored Suit thought we would reflect on some of the most memorable looks from the gentlemen who have attended over recent years.
Alexander McQueen
Theme: "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion" (2006)
This was a theme which late designer Alexander McQueen captured ever so well as he attended the 2006 Met Gala with his friend and fellow actress Sarah Jessica Parker. Wearing the late designer's attire, McQueen brought it close to his Scottish heritage as he sported a classic black satin peak lapel jacket with an angled hemline, worn with a wing collar white dress shirt and a ribbon tie. With a sporran worn in front, the tartan kilt with a with is one associated with the MacQueen clan (also used in a few of his collections) as the pleated tartan was also used as a sash draping from his left shoulder down across his front and back, leaving the end exposed at the back and secured with a brooch on his shoulder. Sarah Jessica Parker's dress also featured the MacQueen tartan, as the designer Alexander McQueen himself really left his statement and signature on the red carpet, much like he did in the world of fashion.
Ralph Lauren
Theme: "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" (2010)
Designer Ralph Lauren attended the 2010 Met Gala with his wife, Ricky Lauren - as she herself was sporting a strong three-piece suit, her husband wore a black double-breasted evening jacket with jeans, bringing a very casual take to the smart/casual attire which he just makes work. The jacket itself is a 6-button fastening with contrasting satin peak lapels and thin jet pockets as the designer wore a classic white dress shirt with a small satin bow tie. With broad shoulders accentuated by the wide lapels also, the look was a combination that Ralph Lauren made work, not what you expect to see on the Met Gala red carpet.
Tyson Beckford
Theme: "Punk: Chaos to Couture" (2013)
Attending the 2013 Met Gala in a pink camouflage printed jacket was actor and model Tyson Beckford, whose jacket combined with black evening trousers with a balance of traditional and modern design. The print was formed of three different shades of pink, with black breaking up the bold design which was picked out splendidly through the satin features of the shawl collar, bow tie and pockets. The evening jacket only required a single-button fastening which was also satin, just like the 4-button cuffs are on the sleeves as one is left unfastened to show the black buttonhole detail. There is a slight centre crease on the trousers and a touching elegant detail of ruffles on the dress shirt. It was an ensemble which suited Tyson Beckford and was a lovely balance of the gala's theme.
Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka
Theme: "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" (2014)
In attendance at the 2014 Met Gala (and looking very dapper too) was actor Neil Patrick Harris and his future husband, fellow actor and chef too, David Burtka. Both wearing Thom Browne cropped tailcoats, Neil's was more on the classic side as his tailcoat was black with notch lapels worn with black trousers featuring a centre crease and white dress with an accompanying white cummerbund and bow tie to match. The tailcoat was lined in white just like David Burtka's, whose tailcoat was more geometric with a diamond pattern paired with striped trousers. The notch lapels and edge of the tailcoat were designed in a red-to-blue feature which showcased the modern vibe embedded into a traditional tailcoat, with white buttons on the cuff and the back finishing Burtka's dapper style. Both had their double cuffs completely on show as the fashionable couple did indeed create a fashionable suiting ensemble on the red carpet.
Will.I.Am
Theme: "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.” (2016)
Rapper and singer Will.I.Am's 2016 Met Gala was a subtle and sophisticated take on the theme as he sported a black two-piece Gucci suit worn with the notable accessory of a black bowler hat with a visor for the technology part of the theme. The suit itself was a single-breasted style with satin peak lapels, collar and flapped pockets with the top finished in satin. With just a single button to fasten it, the stand-out detail of this tailored piece was indeed the sleeve, as both sides were defined with silver floral embroidery that finished with silver, blue and pink on the cuff. The 5-button cuff style was subdued to ensure more focus on the soft floral pattern which was picked out through the very short tie underneath the shirt's collar. The traditional satin stripe was included on the evening trousers along with the sharp front, an overall sharp tailored suit for Will.I.Am with a very modern hat design.
Rami Malek
Theme: "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" (2017)
A few red ensembles can always be expected on the red carpet from those who attend, and Rami Malek certainly delivered a fantastic red moment in his Dior Homme suit - with the carpet not being red that year, it truly stood out. The jacket was tailored to his waist whilst the shoulders were structured enough to create a great tailored silhouette. The jacket had a textured finish to the peak lapels as the buttons on the 4-button cuffs and front were matching the jacket perfectly. Along with the slender trousers made crisp with the front crease, the actor wore a red dress shirt with the buttons covered, a small detail that just adds to the smooth attire even more. His shiny black boots were a great choice of footwear as the embroidered black flower on the breast pocket is the finishing touch to the suit that really just makes it. Bold, vibrant and memorable is how best to describe Rami Malek's attire from 2017.
Chadwick Boseman
Theme: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" (2018)
This Met Gala of 2018 really conveyed creativity amongst those who attended in their outfits, and late actor Chadwick Boseman really turned up in what was an insanely cool choice of attire. From Atelier Versace, the actor appeared wearing a three-piece ivory suit with gold crosses on the jacket and gold embellishment on the trousers and jacket sleeves. The suit itself would have been a statement but the addition of the ivory cape falling down to the middle of his shins was just the ultimate finishing touch the ensemble needed. The jacket was a gold single-button fastened piece with a single-breasted waistcoat underneath and a small gold button fastening the shirt's collar, a great little detail, along with the thin gold chain draped between the cape. As the suit was tapered to fit the actor accordingly and with the beautiful drapes in the cape, it was just heavenly to admire - Chadwick Boseman delivered as he did always in the acting world.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Theme: “Camp: Notes on Fashion" (2019)
There was something so dashing and dapper about the actor Benedict Cumberbatch (pictured with his wife and director Sophie Hunter) at the 2019 Met Gala as he wore a three-piece crisp white suit with an ivory fedora and accessorised with embroidered loafers and cane for the completed look. The waistcoat was double-breasted with a straight hemline and the jacket single-breasted with a wide shawl collar and slanted pockets. The actor styled a gold pocket chain and green brooch on his white cravat for an extra bit of class, but what was more amazing about his suit was that it was vegan: the suit was made from super bamboo and the shirt from peace silk. His stylist and tailor Joe Woolfe revealed how important it was that the suit was vegan to the actor before finding the cloth after a few weeks - and might we say Benedict Cumberbatch looked absolutely superb.
What was your favourite look here, and what has been your favourite Met Gala look of all time? If you've felt inspired by what you have seen, get in touch with our talented tailoring team today for your statement bespoke suit!
If you liked this post, check out Met Gala's Most Memorable Fashion Moments: The Ladies.
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