Why the MET GALA Sucks...
Why the MET GALA Sucks...
Every spring, every fashionista around this glorious globe looks forward to the first Monday of May. It’s like the second coming of Jesus. The return to Mecca. Dorothy finally being able to tap her red shoes to get back to Kansas.
We’re talking MET GALA, baby!
And while the red carpet gives us drama (and notorious memes), what’s more interesting is what it reveals about the state of influence, the evolution of brand storytelling, and where power lives now.
Let me explain.
Fashion is culture’s “soft power” so when we’re talking Met Gala, I want you to focus not so much on the clothing (yes, we can talk about that in a later post), but about the positioning of people/celebrities. Who was invited this year? Who dressed them? Who paid for their table?
And let me be super freakin’ clear that these are not shallow questions. They’re actually strategic ones when we look at the Met Gala from the lense of solely a business. Because, let’s face it, in this room, access = influence, and appearance = alignment.
So when a brand like Loewe, Chanel, or Thom Browne dresses a starlet, it’s not just a gown. It’s like the igniting of the bat-signal. A non-verbal cue to the industry and to the world: She/He/They made it.
What I personally find interesting to analyze is who has staying power. The ones who aren’t there for their first viral moment, but for the fifth. The ones who aren’t chasing hype, but owning their lane. Take for example Sarah Jessica Parker, or even Zendaya (my ultimate favorite).
In today’s social age, it’s WAY too easy to go viral. It’s harder to become inevitable.
So as the first Monday of May approaches each year, I love seeing who elevated their personal brand. Who understood the assignment (and no I’m not just talking not theme but also message). Who is using the Met not to show off, but to show us who they are becoming?
How does this relate to you? Well, iff you’re building a brand (don’t care if you’re a founder, a creator, or florist), look at the Met Gala as a blueprint, not a fantasy. Ask yourself:
If my brand were a fashion house, what values would it be known for?
What’s the silent message my presence sends in every room I enter (online or offline)?
Am I intentionally building relationships that elevate my positioning, or simply expanding my reach?
Your particular niche has its own ecosystem. And your place in it is as much about how you design your narrative as it is about who you know.
So use the Met Gala is a mood board for ambition. It's a reminder that art, business, identity, and visibility are always in conversation.
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XX Idalia