Portrait of a Lady

Dear reader,

Today, as I promised, we’re talking about Monday’s MET Ball. The theme? The Gilded Age, a time of mass materialism, and the birth of capitalism. A time where women had no rights.

A time, just like today.

To be honest, I was having the best MET Ball of my life. It was creative, and collaborative, and full of storytelling.

Let’s review the looks.

Adwoa Aboah

Working with Adwoa again was a highlight. We made the most incredible, Tory Burch couture dress. Our goal was to design a traditional, Gilded Age ballgown that incorporated elements of Adwoa’s own personality and style. By focusing on a more traditional design, we paid homage to the Black women of the Gilded Age, who never could have gone to the MET Ball. Great fashion, with something to say. I loved it.

Hair: Rebekah Forecast

Make up: Celia Burton

Amber Valletta

Amber’s look was magic. She is, I will admit, one of my favorite supermodels. When she came to me with one week to spare, I said yes. We ended up with a vintage, gold pleated 1980s design by Azzaro. It arrived at my house from Aralda Vintage in Beachwood Canyon, purely by accident. We paired it with black gloves, gold accessories and a straight bob. Total magic.

Hair: Teddy Charles

Make up: Charlotte Tilbury

Renate Reinsve

For Renate’s first MET, we chose a sustainable Louis Vuitton look from the archives, which I spotted at a show years ago. It was important to showcase how great designs can be repurposed, again, and again. The black leather pants brought a modern look to the more Gilded-style silver embroidery of her top. A contemporary look, for the Hollywood actress of the future.

Hair: Seiji Yamada

Make up: Sam Addington

Hailey Bieber

Hailey’s look was built on references. We worked with Anthony Vaccarello at St. Laurent, and found our inspiration in a vintage silk dress worn by Jerry Hall in Mr. Yves Saint Laurent’s final show. I was also reading a social register from the era that described a young Vanderbilt descending the stairs of a party in white silk and feathers. Hailey’s slicked back hair and minimalist make-up showed a modern, independent woman, paying homage to the socialites of the era.

Days before the MET Ball, Hailey released a video about the mini-stroke she suffered as a result of COVID-19. She walked down the red carpet radiating strength and joy, evoking a sense of optimism for the future.

Hair: Bryce Scarlett

Make up: Nina Park

On the way to the red carpet, I carried Hailey’s cape into the car, making sure it wouldn’t get damaged by the rain. I returned to my hotel, thinking about what an amazing night it’d been.

And then, I saw the POLITICO leak. The Supreme Court voted for Roe v. Wade to be turned over. I paused. And then I wrote a post on Instagram, saying that I wasn’t going to post any pictures from the red carpet until I talked about this. It was so painful. My Instagram feed was a mix of MET Ball looks, and calls for our country to keep abortions safe, and legal.

Did you know that in the 1880s, a woman could get an abortion if a doctor said it was needed to save her life, or her health, or her mental state? There were still laws to restrict abortion, but at least a woman could get one, safely.

This means that if Roe v. Wade gets revoked, we will have less rights in 2022, than we did during the Gilded Age. On a night where we focused so much on honoring a more equitable, empowered future for women, the news from DC left me devastated. And honestly, scared.

This is why voting matters. The Washington Post tells us that 75% of Americans say that decisions on abortion should be left to the woman and her doctor. And yet, a tiny majority might just take away our rights.

So what do we do?

I’m going to fight like hell. Because abortions aren’t going to stop. But safe abortions, will. And without safe abortions, women will die.

So happy MET Ball everybody.

Let’s get to work.

x Karla

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Headline images courtesy of Grace Wrightsell