From John Galliano to jeans? The internet has a lot of thoughts about the new 2027 Met Gala theme, with some commenters calling it "lazy" and "boring."
After months of speculation following the cancelation of Galliano theme, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute announced on Thursday, Nov. 5, that its new 2027 spring exhibition would be "extraORDINARY: Fashion and the Poetics of the Everyday." The exhibition will explore the beauty in "how designers rework familiar garments" and "everyday objects," according to the museum's website.
"From jeans, T-shirts, and puffer coats to paper, plastic, and metal, the exhibition will reveal how the seemingly unremarkable can inspire delight, surprise, and wonder. It will also consider how meaning
develops through use and care," the museum statement says. You can expect guests in various conceptualizations of those mentioned items, though the event's official dress code and list of celebrity co-hosts have yet to be announced, with Italian ready-to-wear brand Moncler named as a designer sponsor.
Following the announcement, online users and fashion fans were quick to share their criticisms of the "ordinary" theme. On the surface, the explanation seems to lack the grandeur of last year's “Costume Art” or some of the most elaborate galas, such as "Camp: Notes on Fashion" and "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."
On Vogue Runway's Instagram post further explaining the theme, commenters expressed their disappointment.
"I'm so bored. This is very boring," one wrote, while another said, "This is so lazy and unimaginative. The whole point of the Met Gala is the antithesis of ordinary. It's fashion's opportunity to escape reality ... It's the one night where fashion should be anything BUT ordinary."
In the same vein, one person joked, "Does this mean ordinary people are invited?"
"Ok, fine. But only if Anna arrives in blue jeans and a white T-shirt," another said.
And across all social platforms, the idea of a Bob Mackie Met Gala still reigned supreme. Many fans and fashion industry insiders suggested that the Met Gala theme honor the famed designer after his death and amid the fallout from the Galliano theme.
One Threads user posted, "So a tribute to Bob Mackie was right there and the Met chose 'reimagined T-shirts and jeans?'"
One Instagram user said, "Everyone should show up wearing Bob Mackie!"
Another added, "Bob Mackie tribute was right there. Also, no one watches to see people dressed regular; they want to see people in wild gowns they will never wear."
But amid the negative commentary, some fashion optimists said they do believe in the poetry of everyday garments and think that the theme could succeed with the right creative approach.
"Ok if executed correctly, this could be fab," one Instagram user said.
On Threads, another said, "Given the unimaginative outfits at the Met Gala in the past few years, going back to basics is actually what needs to happen."
"I actually really enjoy this upcoming theme for the Met Gala. This is how art and fashion responds to the times," another Threads user said. "I immediately think about how luxury is out, aspiration can be an illusion, and no one has time for imagination. I appreciate that this can be the theme."
Some users joked about celebrity guests using Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake's matching patchwork denim ensembles at the 2001 American Music Awards as inspiration for their Met Gala looks.
"The most annoying celebrity couple you can think of is going to attend the 2027 Met Gala like this," one Threads user said, sharing a photo of the couple's iconic denim moment.
Referring to Kim Kardashian wearing Marilyn Monroe's historic "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress to the 2022 Met Gala, one commenter wrote, "Kim is going to try and wear [Spears'] dress, isn't she?"
The 2027 Met Gala will take place on Monday, May 3, with the exhibition opening to the public on May 9, running through Jan. 9, 2028.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Critics attack Met Gala theme for being 'boring' and 'lazy'
