Mary Portas criticized some Met Gala looks as “uninspiring and out of touch” while taking aim at celebrities who were ignorant of the true meaning of the issue.
The retail consultant and broadcaster, 63, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share some looks from the star-studded event held in New York on Monday night.
In the caption, she criticized those who misinterpreted the theme of The Garden of Time and simply opted for “flowers,” when in fact her interpretation was that the theme should have inspired “sustainable looks.”
He explained that the theme was inspired by JG Ballard’s 1962 dystopian novel, ‘The Garden of Time’, a tale often considered 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 showcase sustainable designers, but criticized how the majority instead “lazily preferred to use flowers”.
Mary Portas criticized some Met Gala looks as “uninspiring and out of touch” while taking aim at celebrities who ignored the true meaning of the issue.
In the caption, he criticized those who misinterpreted the theme of The Garden of Time and simply went for “flowers,” when in fact his interpretation was that the theme should have inspired “sustainable aspects” (Nicki Minaj is seen).
However, she shared images of stars who had worn outfits from sustainable designers such as Demi Moore and Charli XCX.
She wrote: “When I saw the theme for this year’s Met Gala I was intrigued. JG Ballard’s 1962 dystopian novel ‘The Garden of Time’ inspired the dress code.
‘The tale is often considered to act as a metaphor for the evolution of human history and the endless cycle of creation and destruction. So, it’s quite relevant now and what a brave decision I thought to take a stand at the biggest fashion moment in the world.
‘When the climate emergency has never been greater and with a green carpet instead of a red stage to welcome the A-listers, we at @weareportas waited with bated breath… How will members of the elite use fashion today’s creative to communicate this? important message?
‘Quelle surprise: the majority did not do it. Instead of highlighting some of the incredible young designers who are making a difference, or choosing outfits made from the latest sustainable materials, fashion insiders lazily opted to wear ‘flowers’. Woo hoo. How predictable.
‘The green carpet was awash with floral minidresses, 3D roses or embroidered floral suits, with couples making their debut and designers bringing their style teams to promote their new collections. He simply lacked depth. Bored. Out of contact.
“There were some, thank goodness, who truly embraced the theme: our British designer Stella McCartney led the way by dressing her team sustainably, Demi Moore in an upcycled Harris Reed dress and Charli XCX in a Marni dress made from distressed materials .vintage t-shirts, they all made a beautiful and important statement.
‘When fashion has such power to create change, why do we reinforce the old stereotypical codes of overconsumption and excess? When will we wake up and smell the flowers before we kill them all?
‘Come on Met Gala: next year do the short ‘only sustainable’ and just watch the creative juices flow from the world’s best designers. And believe me, it will have an incredible impact.”
He explained that the theme was inspired by JG Ballard’s 1962 dystopian novel, ‘The Garden of Time’, a short story that is often considered to act as ‘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 showcase sustainable designers, but instead most “lazily opted to use flowers”.
However, she shared images of stars who had worn outfits from sustainable designers such as Demi Moore (seen) and Charli XCX.
Stars attending the soirée included Kim Kardashian, who caused a stir as she flaunted her surprisingly tiny waist in a custom silver Maison Margiela dress by John Galliano.
Her sister Kylie Jenner kept it simple and elegant in a strapless rosewater Oscar de la Renta dress, paired with a rose in her hair.
Jennifer Lopez posed up a storm on the stairs in a dazzling sheer and bejeweled ensemble.
Co-chair Zendaya made a statement in a custom blue and green Maison Margiela dress by John Galliano, complete with branch and fruit details.
Zendaya wore a second look to the Met Gala: a black Givenchy dress by John Galliano from 1996, with a floral Alexander McQueen hat from 2007.
The Costume Institute’s Spring Exhibition is held on the first Monday in May each year and is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
This year the event was titled Sleeping Beauties: Fashion Awakening, 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 Anna Wintour.
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 professional accomplishments and all have distinct style stories with the Met Gala,” Vogue shared.
The display case features approximately 250 items drawn from The Costume Institute’s permanent collection, and many of the pieces are too fragile to be reused.
All pieces will be displayed using elements such as AI, GCI and more while playing land, sea and sky themes.
She said: “There were some, thank goodness, who really embraced the theme, our British designer Stella McCartney led the way by dressing her team sustainably” (Stella seen with whom she dressed: FKA twigs, Ed Sheeran and Cara Delevingne)
He also praised Charli XCX, who wore a Marni dress made from worn vintage T-shirts.
“It’s very much an ode to nature and the emotional poetics of fashion,” Andrew Bolton, Wendy Yu curator in charge of the Costume Institute, said of the upcoming exhibition.
“One thing I hope this exhibition activates is that sensory appreciation of fashion.”
Stars in attendance that 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 the stars on the red carpet.
Last year’s gala paid tribute to the late designer Karl Lagerfeld.