Hartsfield: Dressing in costume ultimate expression of self

The 2015 Met Gala was something to talk about.

link D'Nieka Hartsfield

Last week I was going to blog about the event but my colleague’s shoes were so distracting it changed my course of thought. Better late than never?

Anyhow, on May 4 there was every type of look on the red carpet for this event. There were forums asking which looks viewers thought were elegant, original or daring. There was even the battle of who wore the best naked dress on the red carpet.

Among the contenders were Beyonce, Kim Kardashian (not surprised), Jennifer Lopez and Rosie Huntington-Whitely; which are all recognizable names that we’ve all come to expect to wear something risqué.

What exactly is the Met Gala and why so many flamboyant looks on the red carpet? Well, from what I’ve gathered, it’s basically a costume party.

Formally, it is called the Costume Institute Gala and is known as the Met Ball. It is an annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. But I don’t think anyone is focused on the benefit factor.

It’s human nature to desire admiration from others. For instance, they are adults who dress up for Halloween who don’t have any children. When you’re 23 you can’t wait to put on that nurse’s costume. When you’re 33 you’re more selective.

When you get dressed everyday, whether you’re cognizant of it or not, you’re expressing how you feel that day. When you have the opportunity to go beyond and dress in costume, it’s a temporary escape from the normal day-to-day. It is the ultimate expression of ones self and hence satisfactory.

The best ping to publicity and marketing in fashion and arts are costumed events. When you give people a reason to get dressed up, they will come, they will watch and they will spread the news.

D’Nieka Hartsfield writes for the Clovis News Journal and the Portales News-Tribune. Contact her at [email protected]; find her on Facebook or follow her style on Instagram.