The 2019 Met Ball was an OTT camp extravaganza

The first Monday in May is here, bringing with it 2019’s Met exhibition and accompanying Ball – which, this year, was dedicated to all things ‘Camp’. After some abysmal attempts at the theme over the past few years – remember when barely anybody wore Comme to the 2017 event? – this year saw a step up in (almost) everybody’s game.

Katy Perry came as Beauty and the Beast’s Lumière, Kendall and Kylie as the Vandergelds from White Chicks, and Zendaya literally came as Cinderella (incl. leaving a glass slipper behind). Elsewhere, Cara Delevingne did this (still trying to figure it out), Ezra Miller had seven eyes, Frank Ocean did things his own way in Prada (he looks too cute to hate on), and Lizzo made her Met Ball debut looking resplendent in Marc Jacobs.

In short, it was all happening. Here are just a few of those doing camp good.

RIHANNA WASN’T THERE

OK, first things first, our Lord and Saviour, the undisputed Queen of the Met Ball was not present at this year’s event. Instead, she’s currently in the UK promoting Fenty Beauty, leaving us to dream of what her take on ‘Camp’ would have been. Posting to Instagram, the singer said this year’s best dressed was Anna Wintour, but we were all rooting for you RiRi :’(

LADY GAGA SNAPPED

As co-chair of the evening – along with Harry Styles and Serena Williams – Lady Gaga hinted that her look was going to be an OTT fantasy, stepping out before the event in a Marc Jacobs number. She didn’t disappoint, serving not one, or even two, but four looks on the red carpet. Arriving in a hot pink parachute gown, the singer’s stylist (and designer of the looks) Brandon Maxwell unzipped her dress to reveal a black one underneath. Underneath that, another hot pink dress, accessorised with oversized 80s cell phone, and underneath that, a sparkly bra and pant set accessorised with a Haus of Gaga trolley. What’s more camp than multiple look reveals? Nothing. That’s what.

BILLY PORTER SHOWED THE KIDS HOW IT’S DONE

On his award ceremony circuit, Billy Porter proved time and time again that he’s not here to play, but to slay. Somehow upping the ante again, Porter arrived at the event carried in by six topless men. Serving ‘Old Testament Realness’, once off his throne, the Pose star showed off his entire lewk – designed by The Blonds – dripping in gold sequins and complete with wings. THIS. IS. HOW. YOU. DO. CAMP. GIRLS.

JARED LETO GAVE GOOD HEAD

Cast your minds back to Gucci’s AW18 show, in which two models took to the runway carrying their own severed heads. For his interpretation of the night’s theme, Jared Leto took a leaf out of Alessandro Michele’s book, turning up with a replica of his long-maned head. Wearing a red silk gown by the Italian house (complete with body jewellery harness), Leto’s good head game was even enjoyed by Shawn Mendes, who appeared holding it on the red carpet at one point.

CARDI B WAS RED FOR FILTH

After making her Met Ball debut at last year’s event, Cardi B was back again this year to serve it up in Thom Browne. In a look that took 35 people over 2000 hours to create, the rapper went from wearing ‘bloody shoes’ to a ‘bloody gown’. With a sprawling train and over 30,000 feathers, if that wasn’t camp enough for you (firstly, how?!) Cardi wore $250k rubies as nipple covers. As you do.

KANYE APPARENTLY DIDN’T GET THE MEMO

Yes, the men really struggled with theme this year (we been knew) but Kanye West seemed to have misinterpreted it entirely, turning up in Dickies. On his arm though, Kim K made all the effort, appearing cinched and dripping in jewels in the first new gown designed by Mugler in 20 years.