Themes have long been used as a form of communication in both art and fashion. In art history, themes have been used to communicate political and social messages, while in fashion, themes are often used to evoke a certain emotion or aesthetic. As technology has evolved, themes have become an even more important tool for communication with trends and ideas spreading quickly through social media. 

In fashion, themes have the power to convey a wide range of ideas and messages. A fashion collection with a specific theme can be used to communicate cultural references, historical events, or even political statements. For example, designer Vivienne Westwood has used her collections to make statements about climate change and environmental issues. Similarly, designer Alexander McQueen used his collections to explore themes of death, decay, and rebirth. Today, themes continue to play an important role in fashion and contemporary art, with artists of all kinds using them to explore a wide range of subjects, from identity and race to globalization and technology.

As we delve further into the world of fashion and themes, it is important to remember the power that they hold. Whether it be a statement on politics or a reflection of cultural heritage, themes have the ability to communicate important ideas and messages to a wide audience. In the following sections, I will explore one of the most influential events in fashion, the event that is nearly synonymous with the word “theme” - the Met Gala and a recap of the fashion themes I found notable at Chicago Does The Met: No2.

The Met Gala

In fashion, every year the world of haute couture descends on the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for the most glamorous night in the fashion calendar - the Met Gala. A night where fashion is more than just an outfit - it’s a story, it’s a creative vision. It’s the theme. The Met Gala is a true showcase of the power of themes in fashion. The theme is not just a suggestion, it is an opportunity to make a statement, to challenge the status quo, to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of fashion. Themes have the power to communicate ideas that go beyond the fabric, the cut, and the color. They transcend boundaries and create a sense of community and connection to evoke emotions, start conversations, and inspire change. Because of this, it’s fair to say every Met Gala theme comes with controversy, but some more than others. One of the most memorable Met Gala themes was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" in 2018. This theme caused controversy and sparked conversations about the role of religion in fashion. Some saw it as a powerful way to explore the connection between fashion and faith, while others felt it was inappropriate to use religious symbols and artifacts as fashion accessories. Particularly, Rihanna wearing an intricate Maison Margiela design that closely resembles the pope’s religious garments was a point of contention.

Another theme that received widespread praise and criticism was "Camp: Notes on Fashion" in 2019. This theme was inspired by Susan Sontag's essay "Notes on Camp" and encouraged attendees to embrace exaggeration, theatricality, and boldness in their fashion choices. The theme was a celebration of self-expression and creativity, and many attendees rose to the occasion with over-the-top looks that were both playful and thought-provoking. However, some criticized the theme was too vague to really convey what a theme could leaving some looks to miss the mark. Did someone say Katy Perry as a hamburger?

This year’s theme “Karl Lagerfeld: a line of beauty” seemed to strike up its own controversy. Karl Lagerfeld was a man who had his fair share of unsavory moments throughout his life. The fashion designer was known for his outlandish and sometimes offensive remarks, which caused a great deal of backlash and criticism. In 2012, Lagerfeld caused outrage when he made derogatory comments about British singer Adele, calling her "a little too fat" and saying that she had a "beautiful face and divine voice, but she's a little too fat." The comments were met with widespread condemnation, with many accusing Lagerfeld of body shaming and promoting unhealthy beauty standards. This was not the first time Lagerfeld had made offensive remarks, as he had previously made comments that were racist, sexist, and homophobic.

Despite his talent and contributions to the fashion industry, Lagerfeld's behavior highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, no matter how talented or famous they may be. The fashion industry has often been criticized for its lack of diversity and inclusion, and Lagerfeld's comments only perpetuate harmful stereotypes and reinforce the need for change.

It is important to acknowledge that the fashion industry has made strides toward becoming more inclusive and diverse, with many designers and brands embracing models of different ages, sizes, and ethnicities. However, there is still much work to be done, and the fashion industry must continue to push for progress and hold individuals accountable for their actions. The Met Gala should be a platform that is used to showcase and promote diversity and inclusivity, and it is important that designers, stylists, and celebrities use this opportunity to create meaningful change in the industry.

Notable Themes at Chicago Does The Met 

Earlier this month, we celebrated this paramount night with a party worthy of its namesake - Chicago Does The Met: No2. Walking into Tribe Supper Club, you could feel the excitement buzzing all around as people mingled and enjoyed the spectacle while people watching. The level of thought and intention that went into each party-goer’s look was apparent. Here are a few themes I noticed during CFC’s second annual Chicago Does The Met event.

Karl’s Uniform: a line of homage and criticism

With this year’s theme centering Karl Lagerfeld, a common theme seen throughout the night was different takes on his classic uniform - white starched high-collared shirts, suit jacket, black gloves, and shades. While these looks are collectively similar, each look took its own creative liberties to create something new. The Bayoud Twins took Karl’s uniform and turned it up a notch with statement sleeves and embellished fabrics.  Adding a personal twist, President of CFC Marquan Jones swapped KL’s fingerless gloves for a football glove introducing a piece of his own story into the uniform. Other adaptations took a more direct approach to criticism of the designer, mine included. Added onto the back of my jacket was a sentence refuting Karl’s fatphobic assertion that no one wants to see curvy women on the runway. Another forward criticism seen that evening was in response to the shirts donning the phrase, “Karl is my father” which gained popularity after being worn by Kylie Jenner. “Karl is not my father” was painted onto a handbag in a similar style to KL’s line of handbags with paint-style logos.

Boucle and Pearls: an ode to Chanel

Much of Karl’s influential work was done at Chanel. Many looks featured fabrics like boucle and tweed and dawned pearl embellishments; all things Chanel is known for. Some followed the Chanel silhouettes like this chic cream dress and this black and white blazer. Others were dripping in pearls - probably too many for Miss Take One Thing Off Coco Chanel but not for me! Two of these looks pulled interesting references from both Chanel as a brand and Karl as a person. Kandy’s look featured a pattern fit for Chanel and a Choupette sidekick that also served as a handbag while Ray maxed out his KL uniform with oodles of pearls. Throughout the night, you could see hints of Chanel all over the room.

Tactile Textiles

Adding texture to looks through different textiles is one of my favorite ways to make an outfit more interesting. Over the last couple of years, this has become more common with designers reaching for fabrics that have an obvious visual texture to them. Designer Jackie Wolf-Schmidt’s dress was covered in sequins of varying sizes made from aluminum cans that created a dynamic texture. Fiber artist and Designer Chelsea B., or the Chitown Queen of Crochet as I like to think of her, rocked this incredible two-piece look consisting of a floor-length dress and jacket. I have never seen anything that has simultaneously looked so cozy and so chic at the same time. By using different yarn weights and silhouettes, great depth was added as the two pieces are juxtaposed against each other. Other looks had interesting movement based on the fabrics and fabric manipulations in addition to their evident tactile textiles.

Not your grandfather’s suit

A fresh take on a classic silhouette. Many times when we see a red carpet, most of the menswear is a basic tuxedo or tuxedo adjacent. For a long time, there was not much flexibility for self-expression in suiting. As time passes and we continue to challenge social norms around dressing, menswear and suiting have been allowed the space to innovate resulting in a little bit of a glow-up giving the fashion forward more options to choose from. Whether it is subtle enhancements, like choosing fabrics and colors outside of the cotton/wool/silk in neutrals domain, or full-on with bold prints and patterns, there is something for everyone looking to shake it up. In particular, these three jackets stood out to me elevating the classic looks - two with luxurious jacquards and one with a cheeky sparkle. 

The power of themes in fashion cannot be underestimated.

It is evident in the way that the Met Gala has become a cultural phenomenon and a symbol of creativity and innovation in the fashion world. From the playful and whimsical to the provocative and controversial, we explored some notable themes in fashion seen during Chicago Does The Met that are a testament to the creativity and artistry of the Chicago fashion community. As we continue to explore new themes and push the boundaries of what is possible, we can expect fashion to continue to be a powerful force for self-expression and social commentary.