Tiga pakar mode dari berbagai generasi memberikan evaluasi tajam terhadap penampilan para pesohor yang menghadiri penggalangan dana Met Gala 2026 bertema Fashion Is Art. Penilaian tersebut melibatkan pakar gaya Robert Verdi, kurator mode EJ Johnson, dan kreator konten Niki Detrich guna meninjau interpretasi busana di karpet merah.
Robert Verdi, yang mewakili perspektif Generasi X, memberikan komentar spesifik terhadap penampilan atlet Naomi Osaka. Ia menilai pilihan desainer sangat menentukan keberhasilan penampilan di ajang sebesar ini.
"Robert Wun is for an experienced red carpet superstar — this isn't a look for a Met Gala newbie." cetus Robert Verdi, Penata Gaya Selebriti.
Verdi juga mengkritik elemen riasan wajah sang atlet yang dianggap kurang selaras dengan kemegahan acara tersebut.
"[For the second look] it's the hair and make-up that fail here. It looks like she just walked off the court after beating Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King." tambah Robert Verdi.
Beralih ke penampilan Doja Cat, Verdi menyamakan busana adibusana berbahan lateks yang dikenakan sang penyanyi dengan perlengkapan bayi yang fungsional.
"Doja Cat is wearing a giant latex couture bib. There's a billion-dollar idea behind stylish clothes that food and crumbs just slip off of." ujar Robert Verdi.
Kritik tajam juga diarahkan Verdi kepada Nicole Kidman yang tampil bersama Sunday Rose, di mana ia membandingkan gaya tersebut dengan pertunjukan di Las Vegas.
"Nicole is giving a glamorous remake of Chicago for a Vegas residency along with Erica Jayne's wig from Real Housewives." kata Robert Verdi.
Terkait kehadiran Connor Storrie, Verdi melontarkan perbandingan pedas dengan gaya para bintang acara realitas televisi.
"I never thought I would say this, but, the Real Housewives look better in their confessionals than this Amazon Prime delivery to the Met … even Potomac and Rhode Island, where none of those ladies have any style or taste." tegas Robert Verdi.
Terakhir, Verdi mengekspresikan kekecewaannya terhadap penampilan Gigi Hadid dengan kiasan kondisi politik dunia.
"I hate to be political, but there’s a war in the Ukraine, a war in Iran, and a war against fashion at the Met Gala." ucap Robert Verdi.
Dalam menilai Katy Perry, ia memberikan pujian singkat karena aspek anonimitas dari kostum yang dikenakan sang bintang.
"I love it and we don’t have to see her face — winner, winner, chicken dinner." tutur Robert Verdi.
Menutup ulasannya, Verdi mengkritik konsep busana Kylie Jenner yang dianggapnya lebih cocok untuk acara pernikahan pribadi atau kampanye komersial.
"Kylie Jenner looks like she’s on her way to marry her plastic surgeon and shoot a Skins campaign on the same day." pungkas Robert Verdi.
EJ Johnson memberikan pandangan dari sudut pandang milenial dengan fokus pada proporsi dan detail artistik dari setiap busana yang ditampilkan. Terhadap Naomi Osaka, Johnson merasa elemen dramatis yang digunakan terlalu berlebihan.
"I feel this look is overwhelming her a bit too much. I like the drama of the hat and the exaggerated shoulders but it should be one or the other." jelas EJ Johnson, Kurator Mode.
Mengenai busana Doja Cat yang menggunakan bahan lateks berwarna kulit, Johnson menunjukkan reaksi yang cenderung netral.
"I’m not mad at this nor am I excited. I feel … nothing. It’s a nice use of nude latex but it’s not a showstopper." ungkap EJ Johnson.
Ia memberikan apresiasi pada pemilihan warna dan payet pada gaun Nicole Kidman, meskipun memiliki catatan kritis pada detail bulu-bulu.
"LOVE the color and sequin on Nicole as well as the hair. Very Tom Ford era for Gucci. It’s the feathers that are very random and unnecessary for me. And I feel that dress is wearing her daughter. There’s too much going on." papar EJ Johnson.
Terkait busana Saint Laurent yang dikenakan Connor Storrie, Johnson menilai pakaian tersebut tidak selaras dengan bentuk tubuh sang pemakai.
"I love the YSL look I just don’t think it’s right for him. Clearly, he’s gotten more muscular which is lovely but this top is not complementing the gym gains." terang EJ Johnson.
Kekecewaan besar ditunjukkan Johnson saat mengulas penampilan Gigi Hadid yang dianggapnya tidak memberikan kesan estetis.
"Gigi Hadididn’t do it. Confusing. Unflattering. Abomination." tegas EJ Johnson.
Untuk Katy Perry, ia tidak mempermasalahkan kombinasi gaun putih dengan topeng yang unik.
"I’m honestly not mad at the white gown and Alien mask." kata EJ Johnson.
Namun, Johnson mengkritik pengulangan gaya korset pada Kylie Jenner yang dinilainya sudah membosankan dan membutuhkan pembaruan.
"I love the fabric of the bottom part of the gown but the heavy corsetry is SOO typical of her and Kim it has become nauseating. We need something fresh and new. Most importantly, eyebrows are required for this look." ujar EJ Johnson.
Mewakili Generasi Z, Niki Detrich memberikan apresiasi pada detail-detail kecil yang menambah kedalaman cerita pada sebuah kostum. Detrich sangat menyukai detail pada kuku Naomi Osaka yang memberikan nuansa artistik.
"I absolutely love the subtle detail of the red hands and nails, it really adds to the drama of the look. It almost looks like wounds with flowers or leaves sprouting out. The proportions of the shoulders aren’t my favorite but overall really cool and unique look. The red dress she revealed underneath was stunning as well!" puji Niki Detrich, Konten Kreator.
Namun, ia merasa kecewa dengan Doja Cat yang justru tampil terlalu polos di saat tema acara memberikan ruang besar untuk eksplorasi tekstur.
"I can never anticipate what Doja will do for a red carpet! I think the theme of this year’s Met Gala really allows attendees to play with color, shape and texture, and instead she went very plain. The color washes her out, hair and makeup feels 2016, and the shape is drab. Love her, but none of this works for me." keluh Niki Detrich.
Detrich juga merasa busana Nicole Kidman dan putrinya kurang memberikan kejutan untuk standar acara sebesar Met Gala.
"Neither of these looks excite me much. Nicole’s feels like I could see it on any other carpet; I want something different for the Met. Sunday’s look is beautiful and I love the color story, but overall forgettable." komentar Niki Detrich.
Berbeda dengan pakar lainnya, Detrich justru menyukai penampilan Connor Storrie meskipun ia mengakui adanya subjektivitas pribadi.
"I may be a bit biased here because I loveeee me some Connor Storrie, but this is a stunning look! The proportions and accessories are perfect. Is it groundbreaking? No. But I think it’s a great first Met Gala look." kata Niki Detrich.
Ia menganggap penampilan Gigi Hadid membosankan, namun memahami bahwa sang model mungkin hanya ingin menikmati acara.
"She will obviously always look stunning, but this is boring. I think she’s been to the Met enough times that she’s just there to look hot and have fun … which is fair!" lanjut Niki Detrich.
Kritik dialamatkan kepada Katy Perry yang dinilai gagal menangkap esensi tema tahun ini dengan gaya futuristiknya.
"Unfortunately, I never quite love Katy’s red carpet looks. I think she always seems to miss the mark on the theme. It’s giving alien fencing? The glove, the burn marks … not sure if she wanted a dystopian look or futuristic, but I fear I hate it." ungkap Niki Detrich.
Terakhir, Detrich memberikan sudut pandang positif pada Kylie Jenner dengan melihat tubuh sebagai bagian dari karya seni itu sendiri.
"I love the idea here — showcasing that the body itself is the art and the focal point rather than the outfit. It feels very similar to other looks I’ve seen from her," tutup Niki Detrich.
