I Wish Cooler Actual Fashion Icons Went to the Met Gala

(And no, I’m not just being salty because I wasn’t invited — I swear.)

The Met Gala is this evening — the first Monday in May — and as always, I’ll be glued to my phone, scrolling, analysing, and judging. This year’s code, “Tailored for You,” was announced back in February as a nod to the Costume Institute exhibition “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." — a theme that just screams for some inventive fashion. I’m curious to see how people interpret it. There’s so much potential here, but I can already picture some attendees taking it too literally or playing it way too safely. And yet… even with all that anticipation, I can’t help but wish that some of the people who actually influence the way I get dressed — the ones shaping the fashion girls’ style — were the ones taking part in fashion’s most important night.

I want (my) modern style icons like Bettina Looney, Camille Charriere, Brooke De Vard or Leandra Medine Cohen to attend.

These are people whose personal style has directly affected how I think about getting dressed. Not in a “I only style trends” way — but in a way that feels layered, intelligent, lived-in, and real. They mix vintage with designer, high street with expensive, quiet pieces with bold accents — always in a way that feels completely authentic. They’re curating wardrobes in real-time, showing us how to wear things differently, how to reimagine silhouettes, and how to make fashion feel accessible, personal, and fun again.

I’d LOVE to see Bettina interpret a theme through John Christopher Rogers or custom Khyeli. Camille with her minimalist-meets-French-girl ease, serving a quietly perfect take that always seems completely effortless. Brooke in some insane pop of color. And Leandra? She’d probably show up in something brilliant and so unapologetically her that it would instantly outshine a dozen perfectly curated Kardashian looks.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy the charade that is the Met — I do. But it’s hard not to feel like it’s become less about true style and more about PR. Celebrities don’t pick their own outfits. They’re styled to perfection by teams working behind the scenes, in clothes pre-approved by brands, selected with PR headlines and sponsorships in mind. It’s fashion, yes — but it’s mostly also advertising.

So, while I’ll be watching tonight (let’s be clear: I’m not pretending to be above the spectacle of mainstream fashion), I’ll also be imagining a different, dream-like Met Gala. One where the guest list isn’t just about who’s famous or brand-aligned — but about who’s actually influencing what I wear. The people who influenced me wear a scarf as a belt, who wore a completely lace and see through wedding dress and made it look elegant and who made me fall in love with fashion and inspire me to keep reinventing.

Maybe one day they’ll get their moment. Until then, they’ll remain the true icons of my feed.