On Tuesday, I called Sarah Jessica Parker’s Monse ensemble at the Met Gala “Founding Father chic.” It looked like an updated version of a Hamilton costume, and many people just had simple #HotTakes of “I guess she didn’t get the memo about the theme this year.” Those comments weren’t particularly bad or good, they were mostly just shrugs from people (like myself) who didn’t give SJP’s outfit more than a passing thought.
Well, SJP is really, really pissed about it. Following the Met Gala, she wrote an essay about her outfit for the New York Times – you can read the piece here. The gist is that she did get the memo about the Met Gala theme, and her interpretation was to make a statement about the future of fashion with “the technology of thought, of application, of fabrication. The technology of the hand and the machine.” I’ll admit, I did like her outfit more after she explained the thought process that went into it, although I’ll also say that if you have to explain your Met Gala ensemble in a NYT essay, you shouldn’t really be mad when people have knee-jerk negative reactions to your outfit, you know?
So when fashion blogger Ivy Marshall put SJP on her list of celebrities who didn’t “get the memo” for the Met Gala theme, SJP had something to say. Because why not beef with a fashion blogger?! My God. SJP left this comment on Instagram:
“Always welcome thoughts but I’m a stickler for the theme and pay close attention to what it means. Every year with great consideration, research and conviction. The understanding of man and machine, how they intersect, when and why is what we considered. Perhaps you weren’t aware of the technology used in the details and embellishments of the design. Or perhaps you simple didn’t like that I wore which is completely fine but you can’t accuse me of not paying close attention and adhering to the theme. With respect and warmest regards, sj.”
Sure. I think SJP is really and truly offended that people genuinely believed that she didn’t “get” the theme. And she’s insisting she did get it, but that she just had a different interpretation of it. SJP went on The View yesterday as well to explain her choice too – go here to read about it. At this point, I have to wonder: is she promoting something? She’s got a new HBO series, Divorce, but she’s months away from promoting that. I feel sad that this is the most anyone has written about her in several years, and it’s all because she decided to wear a Hamilton costume to the Met Gala, then vociferously defend said Hamilton costume.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.
I like SJP but c’mon now, it’s not THAT serious! Surely.
I was just thinking “Wow, this is what it’s like for people that don’t have any REAL problems!”
PEOPLE THOUGHT I DIDN’T GET THE THEME!??! QUELLE DISASTER!
Get over yourself. Seriously. And I’m normally a fan.
I know right, seems more upset about the theme then let’s say the deaths n famine around the world,where’s your damn essay there princess
I get the feeling her reaction is due to the fact she has a lot of “fashion” friends, vogue-obsessed-like people in her inner circle, so the critique she got I’m sure was magnified to her. I don’t shade her for it.
I love it actually, and totally get it.
Yep I do as well:)
I get it (and I can appreciate the fact that she took a more subtle approach compared to someone like Kim Kardashian) but I still think it’s an ugly outfit. Just the waist / crotch area on those pants makes me want to cringe.
Ditto, and I liked it before she explained it. I think the future part if the theme covers all manner of interpretation. Effie trinket would rock the sh*t out of this to a casua event 😉
The future wasn’t part of the theme. The theme was hand made fashion (Manus) and machine made fashion (Machinus). The differences, how they intertwine, how they don’t…a difficult merging of technique.
The only part I didn’t like was the lace at the end of the sleeves.
Me too I loved the outfit.
Me too, and I think she cares because she is really into fashion. She’s doing her own shoe line. I think she doesn’t want people to think she isn’t into fashion and doesn’t care when it’s actually the opposite. I can relate to her actually. I’m in a field that I’ve spent a decade learning about and it’s the kind of thing every jerk with an opinion thinks they’re an expert on. I think I’m over-identifying with SJP, haha.
It is offensive, though. She knows and cares. People in the media covering the event neither know nor care–and that’s how they’re characterizing her. I’d be pissed, too.
She’s a human being and she responded to the blogger with a very human response. Is that something we expect from a celebrity? No. Is that something we’d expect from a fashion goddess with a flair for the dramatic? Absolutely. I loved SJP’s outfit. I totally got it and get her reaction to the criticism. If she were a Gwyneth she’d roll her eyes at the peasants. SJP gets down in the mud with us. I dig it.
I liked it, too.
I loved it – I thought she was one of the best dressed, in a sea of silver robots.
I liked it too & the unmatched shoe trims are genius.
Too many celebrities spend way too much time addresses what people think. No one is going to like or understand everything you do. NO ONE will be on your side all the time. And just like on gossip sites people spew the most negative things because they can behind a screen. Why she is taking this so seriously is what she should spend time contemplating.
does she seem to be doing that Madonna thing of hiding her hands? It strikes me that she is. Her hands look older than she is. Strange how that happens with some people.
I kinda get it. Apart from Wintour, the Met Gala is SJP’s thing. She’s one of he rare celebrities who almost always sticks to the theme amd knocks it out of the park. She is overreacting a bit, though.
I agree. She’s always thoughtful about her costumes/gowns and was this year as well (like the outfit or not). I’m willing to give her a pass on her frustration and explanations (vs Madonna for example).
I think a big problem this year is that entertainment and some fashion media did not understand the theme and took it to be about “the future”. I heard that said so many times and it was not correct. So you have a lot of media and regular folks like us who think SJP and many others were not with the theme. I heard it said quite a bit about Zoe Saldana for example “amazing, but not on theme” when in fact the dress was totally on theme.
Yeah, I get her passion. She puts A LOT of thought into these looks.
I get her passion too. It’s a * little * over the top but I understand that she has respect for the event and the theme. Unfortunately for her, Anna has turned it into a parade of D-Listers and reality stars who lack the imagination and thought and respect for it, and I can see why she wouldn’t want to be lumped in with any of them.
I’d say she put TOO much thought into this look. When you have to explain it to the public en masse, you’ve pushed it a click or two too far, not matter how “inside” you think you are in the fashion world.
+1
What is wrong with her face? She looks bizarre!
She’s looking a bit like Steven Tyler here, and I’m saying that as someone who likes her.
OMG! LMFAO!!! You’re tooo funny Erinn! Steven Tyler would be quite upset you thought this creature was him!!!
OMG Erinn! Yesssss!!!
It’s the awful eye makeup she’s been wearing for a few years. Makes her eyes look squinty and minuscule. The pants to that outfit are a terrible fit.
Yeah that makeup is doing her no favours.
I also think her diet is too strict. I know i might get flamed for this but women who are too strict with their diets seem to hit a point where they just age terribly. I’ve seen this in my own family. I think it’s worth giving up the maintenance of a super teeny, tiny frame to get a bit of vigor back.
She’s looking more and more like Donatella Versace these days, which is a shame. She’s not the most conventional beauty, but she is attractive, and I wish she’d update her makeup and lose those demonic raccoon eyes.
I think it aartially that her eye color has faded over the years, so the contrast between her dark eye makeup and even lighter eyes is getting stronger.
Eye color does not fade as you age.
I loved her outfit and got it, too. She is one that totally comes and plays at the MET gala, but she should just have let it go, not worth defending your costume choices.
She does take it very seriously and she respects the Gala, so I could see why she was offended and hurt when people assumed she didn’t get it or was phoning it in.
Was it worth a trip to THE VIEW? Probably not, but then again, what is?
I love her so so much. I wish we talked about her more. Carrie would have worn the crap out of that outfit.
I don’t like the outfit but I’m crazy in love with that TEENSY BELLY poking out.
I just thought the Hamilton reference was trite and not that interesting.
I think most people got the theme wrong. It wasn’t about the FUTURE. It was about how the sewing machine changed couture. Hand versus machine. Not robot machine; sewing machine. It’s about technique.
She at least thought about it, and carefully crafted something that stood out, and didn’t see “machina” on the invitation and think ‘hey that’s a movie about AI robots. ‘
I think she got it more than anybody else. She didn’t go for the obvious and approached it from a more intellectual point of view. Of course those who just wanted to have their pictures taken were going for the stereotypical ‘robot’ look by lazily donning silver colours. How is that fashion? SJP loves her fashion and she always cares deeply about the MET. Most of the other guests were wearing clothes that they wear all the time on red carpets.
I also found the Smith siblings to be thoughtful about their clothes. They also didn’t go for the obvious and it worked.
it’s kind of funny how many of the attendees misunderstood the theme. I’m guessing many of them saw the word “machina” did not bother to read the actual description of the exhibition.
while I like some of the details of SJP’s outfit (that painted corset back is beautiful) I did not love it all together. but I can definitely appreciate the thought and effort she put into interpreting the theme. she has every right to defend herself against people who thought everyone was supposed to dress like a robot.
I’m sorry but I’m more confused than ever AFTER her explanation! TBH I love the outfit ( minus the cuffs) I don’t think it was appropriate for the occasion. I think her defensiveness is more about usually getting raves and being a fashion darling so doesn’t know how to respond when those same people call her out. I mean really, it happens get over it!
She normally goes over the top, this year she tried something new. Big deal.
I work in a hospital, got lives to save. Um this is not so important.
Important enough for you to comment, though.
This is her life. If she deems it important enough to use her time educating people on their misunderstanding, so be it.
If this isn’t the epitome of first world problems I don’t know what is.
Also this is a visual event. People don’t get to come and touch and feel the outfits so if the point isn’t clearly visible then it’s a miss. Who cares about the process or the materials in your coat lining.
“If this isn’t the epitome of first world problems I don’t know what is.” – LMAO
Really.
Exactly. I understand that she put a lot of thought into it, and it’s annoying to be accused of not doing so, but if you need to write a thesis on it so that people will understand, then it didn’t work particularly well. Too bad, so sad, move on.
Of course it’s a first world problem-this is a celebrity gossip site. 95% of what’s covered here will be a first world problem.
I think this is especially first-world problem though.
“They didn’t understand my outfit…waaaahhhhh”
Themes are open to individual interpretation. Isn’t that the fun part?
I just dont like it the knickerbockers look so unflattering and the top and sleaves look odd. Guess she has alot of time on her hands. It isnt the end of the world sjp.
I thought her 15 minutes of fame were over. I”m so sick of her. It’s all about her, always!
Considering she’s been a steadily working, successful actress since childhood I hardly think the “15 minutes of fame” reference applies here. You’re obviously under no obligation to like her, but she’s no one hit wonder trying to remain relevant.
Fashion is about the visual moment of impact. If you need footnotes and multiple paragraphs to explain your look than you can’t get upset when people ‘don’t get it’
She should have just shrugged and said she wanted to go low key this year.Why is she trying to pretend there’s something deeper than that?
Thank you. I’m even more bored with the outfit after seeing the many MANY responses to it.
Probably because it’s not a low-key outfit. It was one of the most detailed and complicated outfits of the night. A lot more thought and work went into it than any of the shiny silver disco ball gowns.
I understand and appreciate her explanation. The outfit was still poorly executed. It’s comparable to a comedian explaining a joke. If it has to be explained it isn’t funny. SJP clearly loves and understands fashion. That was never the issue. Visually her outfit did not work for me.
I liked her outfit. What I didn’t like were her hair and makeup. She’s too old (and I’m older than her) for the fried long streaky hair. And her makeup is NOT flattering–I know she seems to like the heavy shadowed eyes, but it’s not good. She should pay more attention to that and less to comments about what she wore.
Well that is what we call an overreaction.
I saw on instagram someone posted a comment like “that horse has a pretty white dress” on a pic of her. lol
Really the NYTs??? These celebrities are so thin skinned. First world problems!
To all these responses from her I give a resounding ‘meh’.
Met Gala isn’t the time for subtlety or outfits that need an essay to be understood. It is about the immediate visual. It is about creating that instantaneous effect and unfortunately this year she missed the mark.
I know she’s terrified of losing that fashion girl title but as someone who’s had missteps before she has to know for the Met it’s either balls to the wall or its wallpaper.
She was wallpaper, shrugs, at least she did better than some of the other ladies.
It’s sad that she’s so defensive about it. I mean you explained your thought process behind it, you don’t need to keep defending it. Its an outfit for chrissakes. Just admit that it don’t go over well and move on.
The essay wasn’t a response to criticism or a defence of her outfit. She’s done these articles before for the Met Ball, explaining the thought process behind her outfits.
I thought it was obvious she was on theme. So many people saw Machinus and went ‘futuristic’ or ‘techy’, but ‘futuristic’ and ‘techy’ wasn’t the theme. The theme was about machine made fashion and hand made couture. SJP was one of a small handful of people who actually understood that.
The silver dresses and light up dresses were pretty, but they had nothing to do with the theme.
yes, the article about her outfit was probably penned weeks in advance, because she plans and executes her MET appearance meticulously every year.
OK she overreacted but come on, Vogue voted Kim and Kanye the best dressed, when he turned up in ripped jeans, crappy boots and a sparkly jacket and I can guarantee there was no such thought about the manufacturing process into his outfit so I can see why she’s getting a little pissy at everyone nailing her for *her* outfit.
How do you know your event isn’t cool anymore? When you vote Kim and Kanye best dressed. At least it wasn’t Kylie and Tyga?
Now that is something to reasonsably get pissed over, now will she make a stand and refuse to attend so that the event can bece nothing more than reality TV spectacle? That’s the question.
How can she justify that hideous Claire’s boutique necklace?
Fernando introduced us to these embellishment artists in Brooklyn called Le Studio Anthost, who take the idea of old-fashioned couture embroidery and, with technology, apply it to fabrications using paint.
…what paint?!
i don’t see the embellishments shes talking about.
i still don’t ‘get it’
but i will say that had i read the definition of the theme before the pictures of the guests came out i would have different bests and worsts for on-theme.
also, i didn’t hear or see one interview at all with people explaining their outfits.
they just pose on the carpet, don’t they?
I think the explanation of why your outfit fits the theme should be part of it, don’t just ask about the designer, ask the why!
thats the best part about this event, and they skip it and we just get to look without getting the ‘full effect’ which to me, in this case, includes the details of the outfits and why they were chosen.
Totally.
I get that she “interpreted” the theme differently than most but I still don’t see anything in that outfit that represents any theme other than “Hamilton on the brain”.
It’s a plain white costume suit with gauzy sleeves.
oh please, an article in the NYT explaining an outfit? Get a grip.
I’m more critical of the NYT for being a willing vehicle for such nonsense.
That too but the Old Gray Lady ain’t what she used to be.
Well if you have to prepare a thinkpiece to explain the outfit. Imagine if everyone else did that. I think part of the fun of the met gala is guessing the connection between the dress and the theme. Let the fans and fashion watchers do the explaining, like nerds giving fan theories on messageboards.
She’s defending her team, who clearly spent a lot of time putting this together. I don’t think this is about her wanting everyone to like her personally. Kudos to her for going out of her way to make sure credit is given where it is due. She’s a good egg.
She is one of few who understood the theme
+ 1
Awww. Poor SJP. She obviously did NOT understand the theme AT ALL. She takes “future of fashion” as “old fashioned outfit made with futuristic machine…” what in the hell is she on?! People in her camp were probably like “yes! Your fabulous! Great idea!” Obviously surrounding herself with Yes People. Any normal person would be like “um, no. Put on something silver.”
…you obviously don’t speak, understand, or google Latin.
She actually got the theme because she was one of the few who actually read the whole thing.
The theme was not ‘future of fashion’. I have absolutely no idea how anyone could get that idea from Manus and Machina.
I appreciate what she was trying to go for, but I still think her execution was lacking. To be fair, I thought her Oscar De La Renta from a few seasons ago was lacking too, so YMMV on my opinion. I still can’t find a way to defend blue satin shoes, though. Honestly, why didn’t she just gofull-out steampunk? Why didn’t ANYONE? I am so disappointed with everyone at the Gala.
Also I thought her evoking Hamilton when she was doing her explanation essay was a little trite, jumping on a bandwagon to sound cool. But then I haven’t watched Hamilton or gotten into the hype, so what do I know.
I understood the theme and thought it was interesting but vague enough that people could twist it to fit the aesthetic they wanted regardless.
I got that she was on theme and like the pieces individually but it read more as a fashion senior’s final project.
Maybe some people got it but simply didn’t like it. Why is that always the go to? Sure some people didn’t get it but who cares at this point? Most people have moved on from the lame gala and so should she. Of all the things to worry about this is her concern.
Good grief.
It was a big miss and she hates that. It will stay a big deal because she is making it such a bigger deal. It was a year where there were quite a few amazing on theme – that’s killing her too. Hamilton with a twist, end of story. The part I hate – the tummy view. Not working.
The MET gala is a fundraising event for the costume institute of the Metropolitan museum of art. I like that she tries to be more than just an appearance, and that by writing about the process and significance of a creation she actually does exactly what the institute is about and is actually more respectful and likely more useful to the event and the affilliated yearly exhibibt than people who just show up to get their picture taken. It’s one of the few public events she does, so I don’t understand the accusations of attentionseeking.
She explains her look every year. I actually wish that some of the couturiers would do the same since it’s their branche and history that’s on display there.
Gawd with the way she is bellyaching about this you’d think she’s trying to stop world hunger! Give it a rest. Also if she wasn’t slumped over maybe the costume wouldn’t look so bad?
Normally I like her, but when the NYT gives you special snowflake space so you can explain to the commoners your outfit, you are a hall of famer brat.
lol SJP is just super-duper-serious about fashion, guys. I wasn’t a huge fan of her outfit but I will always love her.
Can’t help it!
I know Carrie and Patricia Fields as stylist for Sex and the City I loved. I liked the crazy and the show was so much how dating in NYC can be. But right now Orange Julius locked up the nomination and I’m so worried I’ve been unable to stop thinking about it.
I categorize this under, Privileged Millionaire Problems. Who cares!?
Damn – she needs to lay off the eyeliner and the botox. You can barely tell she has eyes. As for the outfit, she’s always been out-there so its not surprising. Ugly, yes. Surprising, no.
I didn’t understand the theme either, until I went to the Met and saw the new exhibit with the same name. It is not futuristic- it actually starts with Didrot’s Encyclopedia and a discussion of the various trades that used to hand make all of the peices used in haute couture, lace making, feather work, leather cutting, embroidery, etc etc and then it moves through the way many of those things are now done by hand, but not all, there’s still a lot of mixing. But, toward the end with 3-D printed fashion and high tech material, I can see how people might get more futuristic vibes
She looks great, the outfit is different, not perfect, but I like it. Look at Madonna’s costume, it was more on theme and she looked disgusting.
I really liked her outfit. It’s clothes not rocket science or anything super duper important.