Cheat Sheet 03: Abstaining from the Met Gala is stupid
Totally and completely missing the point
The first Monday in May is Met Gala day. Most people know that. Some watch as celebrities line up to get their picture taken in couture gowns pretending to be excited for the exhibit inside, but really just gush with Emma Chamberlain about “hanging out with friends”.
Now, the night known as “fashion’s biggest night” is kind of controversial. But it wasn’t always that way. The Met Gala began in 1948 as a modest fundraiser for the Costume Institute, organized by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert. Back then, it was a formal dinner with no themes and no theatrics.
In the 1970s, Diana Vreeland transformed it into a glamorous, themed event that mixed fashion with art and spectacle. When Anna Wintour took over in 1995, she elevated it into a global phenomenon. She curated the guest list, brought in major sponsors, and turned the red carpet into a stage for cultural commentary and couture fantasy.
This year, Zach Schlossberg, Kennedy grandson and guy I would absolutely hate to get stuck talking to at a party (seems coked-up but probably isn’t) announced that he’s boycotting the event, sharing a series of pointed social media posts explaining his decision.
In a video message, Schlossberg, son of Caroline Kennedy and only grandson of President John F. Kennedy, addressed Vogue editor in chief and longtime Met Gala co-chair Anna Wintour directly.
"Hey Anna Wintour! I am boycotting the Met Gala this year. With so much happening at home and around the world, it's not the time for a party like that–at least for me… I will not be going to the Met Gala. Thank you all so much. I think others should boycott it too."
He and his dimples are instead launching a news channel. Great.
Here is why I think this isn't a well thought out gripe and honestly just is the problem with the left right now. Nothing is good enough–we are letting perfect get in the way of good.
This is a historic year for the Met Gala. The exhibition this year centers around the theme "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." It delves into the rich history and cultural significance of Black dandyism, highlighting how fashion has been instrumental in shaping Black identities across the Atlantic diaspora. It marks the Costume Institute’s first menswear-exclusive showcase since 2003’s "Men in Skirts," emphasizing The Met's commitment to inclusivity and diversification in its curatorial practices.
The dress code for this year's gala is "Tailored for You," encouraging attendees to don finely tailored outfits that reflect the theme. Co-chairs for the event include A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, and Pharrell Williams, with LeBron James serving as an honorary co-chair.
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The 2025 Met Gala marks the FIRST TIME the Costume Institute has appointed a guest curator for its spring exhibition. Professor Monica L. Miller, Chair of Africana Studies at Barnard College, was selected to co-curate the exhibit alongside Andrew Bolton (also Thom Browne’s partner), Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute.
This move is significant for several reasons: it introduces more diverse perspectives in fashion curation, highlights the cultural significance of Black dandyism through the theme Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, and shifts the narrative of fashion history to include underrepresented voices. By focusing on Black style and appointing a guest curator, the Met Gala is taking a landmark step toward inclusivity and broadening the stories that shape global fashion.
And yet we are never happy/Jack Schlossberg is never happy.
The exhibition is the point! OK! We can be mad at this frivolous party! We can be up in arms over people having fun and celebrating when so much is going on in the U.S. and around the world. But, in my book, this money is money that funds research and education! Things that are no longer being subsidized under the Trump administration! Celebrating Black style is important right now and is a political statement (one beyond virality). I think we need to stop cutting our noses to spite our faces.
Sure, I think there is a way to do the Met Gala badly, but I think things are inching in the right direction and I can’t wait to watch.
Chit chat
Trump posted an AI image of him as the Pope that is hilarious and has people up in arms. It’s dystopian but all I can hope for is more presidential AI imagery.
Tom’s might be making a comeback? This week the 2012 staple Tom’s released a collection with Jamie Mizrahi (Stylist of Sophia Ricci, Jennifer Lawrence, Mikey Madison, and Adele). They are some sort of faux suede and I’m kind of into them. I never liked Tom’s before but I can see these being comfy this summer, sue me.
On some tennis clay courts they have established an Electric Line Calling System that attempts to electronically determine whether a ball is in or out.
The “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris, which led to Donald Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS, has now been nominated for an Emmy for "outstanding edited interview." Trump accused the segment of being deceptively edited to benefit his Democratic rival. Despite CBS’s claim of no wrongdoing, former “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens resigned last month, citing corporate restrictions tied to the Harris story. The story is also under investigation by the FCC. Paramount (the owners of CBS) is looking to settle and CBS journalists are not happy (nor should they be). This isn’t this only time Paramount has come under fire this week. Nathan Fielder in the latest “The Rehearsal” episode on HBO calls out Paramount Plus for removing an episode of “Nathan for You” in which he hilariously makes a Holocaust-centric outerwear brand. Shame on them.
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