Mary Portas has slammed some Met Gala looks as ‘uninspiring and out of touch’ as she took aim at celebrities who ignored the real meaning of the theme.
The retail consultant and broadcaster, 63, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share some looks from the star-studded event held in NYC on Monday night.
In the caption she criticised those who misunderstood The Garden of Time theme and just opted for ‘florals’ – when actually her interpretation was that the theme should have inspired ‘sustainable looks’.
She explained that the theme was inspired by JG Ballard’s 1962 dystopian novel ‘The Garden of Time’ – a short story often seen to act as a metaphor for ‘the endless cycle of creation and destruction’ in society.
Mary praised the ‘brave’ theme amid the climate emergency saying it was the perfect opportunity to show off sustainable designers – but slammed how instead most ‘lazily defaulted to wearing florals’.
Mary Portas has slammed some Met Gala looks as ‘uninspiring and out of touch’ as she took aim at celebrities who ignored the real meaning of the theme
In the caption she criticised those who misunderstood The Garden of Time theme and just opted for ‘florals’ – when actually her interpretation was that the theme should have inspired ‘sustainable looks’ (Nicki Minaj seen)
She did however share images from stars who had worn outfits from sustainable designers such as Demi Moore and Charli XCX.
She penned: ‘When I saw this year’s Met Gala theme I was intrigued. JG Ballard’s 1962 dystopian novel ‘The Garden of Time’ – inspired the dress code.
‘The short story is often seen to act as a metaphor for the evolution of human history and the endless cycle of creation and destruction. So, pretty relevant now and what a brave choice I thought for the world’s biggest fashion moment to take a stand.
‘When the climate emergency has never been greater and with a green carpet instead of a red set to greet the A-listers, we at @weareportas waited with baited breath… How will today’s members of the creative elite use fashion to communicate this important message?
‘Quelle surprise – most didn’t. Instead of highlighting some of the incredible young designers making change happen, or choosing costumes made from the latest sustainable materials, the fashion cognoscenti lazily defaulted to wearing ‘florals’. Woo hoo. How predictable.
‘The green carpet was awash with floral minidresses, 3D roses or embroidered floral suits, with couples debuting and designers bringing their style squads to promote their new collections. It just lacked depth. Uninspiring. Out of touch.
‘There were a few, thank God, that truly embraced the theme, our British designer Stella McCartney leading the way dressing her crew in sustainably, Demi Moore in an upcycled Harris Reed dress, and Charli XCX in a Marni gown constructed from worn-out vintage T-shirts, all made a beautiful and important statement.
‘When fashion has such power to create change, why do we reinforce the old stereotypical codes of over-consumption and excess? When are we going to wake up and smell the flowers before we do kill them all?
‘Come on Met Gala – next year make the brief ‘sustainable only’ and just watch the creative juices of the best designers of the world, flow. And believe me, it will have incredible impact.’
She explained that the theme was inspired by JG Ballard’s 1962 dystopian novel ‘The Garden of Time’ – a short story often seen to act as a ‘the endless cycle of creation and destruction’ in society
Mary praised the ‘brave’ theme amid the climate emergency saying it was the perfect opportunity to show off sustainable designers – but instead most ‘lazily defaulted to wearing florals’
She did however share images from stars who had worn outfits from sustainable designers such as Demi Moore (seen) and Charli XCX
Stars in attendance for the evening included Kim Kardashian, who sent shockwaves as she flaunted her astonishingly small waist in a silver custom Maison Margiela gown by John Galliano.
Her sister Kylie Jenner kept it simple and chic in a rose-water colored strapless gown by Oscar de la Renta, paired with a rose in her hair.
Jennifer Lopez posed up a storm on the steps in a dazzling in a sparkling see-through bejeweled ensemble.
Fellow co-chair Zendaya made a statement in a blue and green custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano gown, featuring branch and fruit accents.
Zendaya slipped on a second look for the Met Gala – a 1996 black Givenchy by John Galliano gown – with an 2007 Alexander McQueen floral hat.
The Costume Institute’s spring exhibition falls on the first Monday in May every year and is held at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This year the event was titled Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion while the dress code was The Garden of Time.
Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, Bad Bunny and Chris Hemsworth were this year’s co-chairs. Also on the committee is Vogue’s Anna Wintour.
The honorary chairs for the evening were Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.
‘This year’s co-chairs reflect a variety of career achievements, and all have distinct style histories with the Met Gala,’ Vogue shared.
The showcase features approximately 250 items drawn from The Costume Institute’s permanent collection — with many of the pieces too fragile to ever be worn again.
The pieces will all be displayed using elements such as AI, GCI, and more while playing up themes of land, sea and sky.
She said: ‘There were a few, thank God, that truly embraced the theme, our British designer Stella McCartney leading the way dressing her crew in sustainably’ (Stella seen with those she dressed: FKA twigs, Ed Sheeran and Cara Delevingne)
She also praised Charli XCX who wore a Marni gown constructed from worn-out vintage T-shirts
‘It is very much an ode to nature and the emotional poetics of fashion,’ said Andrew Bolton, Wendy Yu Curator in Charge of The Costume Institute, of the upcoming exhibition.
‘One thing I hope this show will activate is that sensorial appreciation of fashion.’
Stars in attendance on the night included Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Cardi B and Emily Ratajkowski.
Gwendoline Christie, La La Anthony and Ashley Graham hosted while YouTuber Emma Chamberlain was on hand to interview stars on the red carpet.
Last year’s gala honored late designer Karl Lagerfeld.