Notes On Camp — Met Gala 2019
What exactly is this year’s theme?
With this year's Met Gala fast approaching we are still hearing whispers of what the theme ‘Notes on Camp’ actually is. Here at Fizzy Mag, we’re going to break it down for you.
The word ‘Camp’ dates back to the 1600s during King Louis XIV’s reign, he was deemed the ‘King of Couture’ and was known for his taste in furniture, textiles, jewels, and clothing. Louis set the tone for what luxury truly meant and his legacy is still apparent in the French attitude towards fashion.
The rise in popularity of Camp style was linked to homosexual subcultures within Europe, it was a way of performing and flaunting over-exaggerated style and gender-bending ways.
In the modern age, many drag performers use camp as a way of impressing audiences and expressing themselves, for reference look towards the club kids in the 80’s at icons like Leigh Bowery and Susanne Bartsch. They played around with mixing art and fashion and truly left a stamp on what style could be, all in a playful campy way.
We recommend reading Susan Sontag’s “Notes on ‘Camp’”, it may be a long read but to gain an in-depth understanding of what this year’s theme represents, it is a go-to. Her rules of this style include:
“1. To start very generally: Camp is a certain mode of aestheticism. It is one way of seeing the world as an aesthetic phenomenon. That way, the way of Camp, is not in terms of beauty, but in terms of the degree of artifice, of stylisation.”
“7. All Camp objects, and persons contain a large element of artifice. Nothing in nature can be campy… Rural Camp is still man-made, and most campy objects are urban.”
These rules demonstrate the theatricality that comes with Camp, showing that the most artificial and stylised looks are the most authentically Camp. Even toned down, everyone can rock a Campy look.
For the red carpet this year we want Comme Des Garçons, Moschino, Viktor and Rolf couture, Off White and more. Will someone wear that Marjan Pejoski swan dress that Björk made iconic?
With Lady Gaga, Harry Styles and Serena Williams being co-hosts of the Met Gala this year, and we cannot wait to see what they bring to the red carpet, keep an eye out on May 6th!
Who are you most excited to see?
Next up, Rihanna Is Co-Hosting The 2018 Met Gala With Donatella and Amal
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