“From Chaos to Couture” The Politics of “Punk Movement” and Met Gala Fashion Event

“One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.” Friedrich Nietzsche

Hollywood stars graced the red carpet event, The Met Gala Fashion fundraiser, themed “From Chaos to Couture.” The event is orchestrated by Anna Wintour, Vogue Magazine editor-in chief. Anna Wintour is one of the most powerful people in fashion. Setting trends and anointing new designers.

Wintour believes that fashion and politics are interconnected. She said, “If you look at any great fashion photograph out of context, it will tell you just as much about what’s going on in the world as a headline in The New York Times.”

What does punk (DIY) ethics reveal to us about what’s going on in the World? Are we transiting through the energies of Punk movement? Punk breaks down barriers, and shocks with actions and ideas. The music is created as a hard-edged fast antiestablishment lyric. There’s always a youthful rebellious attitude, which is shown by distinctive fashionable styles and anti-authoritarian ideologies. Punk will not sacrifice its personal freedom. Anna’s wisdom shines a mirror on the trends taking place in this “Spirit of the Times-zeitgeist- energies. It can mean Political upheaval, government secrecy, and rebellion against established laws.

Did Anna Wintour consciously persuade Hollywood celebrities to raise awareness about universal political issues? We’ve experienced massive bailouts to banks, Job losses and layoffs, the collapse of housing markets, the stock market, religious intolerance, and above all “Us versus Them” mentality. Politically if it’s not these issues Anna wanted to bring to light, what message would she have wanted to send? Each look is personable yet personified to capture the essence of the movement. The event illuminated on the beauty that can spark from chaos.

The Punk Movement isn’t too detached from Marx Marxism’s conception of ideology. Which says that the ideas and interests of the dominant class are the very ideas that shape the course of history. Marx views ideology as a fragmented system that distorts consciousness into principles that only satisfies the elite in the social hierarchy. Conflict rises as a result of ideological views because of class and labor division serving the dominant class. Ideology functions deceptively to keep society civil and obedient to the exploiting class. Again, no punk movement sacrifices their personal freedom. This ideological correlation to historical materialism is that the masters of production-socialist anarchist- force upon the working class-the producers-economic systems (capitalism) that affects the labor workers as a means to generate more capital for their personal wealth; this creates a cycle of greed-and me against the world attitude. The Punk movement certainly is out to demolish such held beliefs. Fashion is interconnected to the politics of “The Times” and in this case, each “Look” is “Punked” and rebels against what no longer serves its needs.

Hathaway stood up dignified in a blond hairdo, different from Miley Cyrus’,in a Valentino vintage gown that compels even the strongest of hearted to obedience. Hathaway’s inspiration was Blondie’s Debbie Harry, who also dazzled herself in a studded blazer by Tommy Hilfiger.

Beyonce,the event’s honorary chairwoman, was adorned in a motif Givency’s Riccardo Tisci gown flaming her way out of Chaos.

“Chaos in the world brings uneasiness, but it also allows the opportunity for creativity and growth.” Tom Barrett

Image Courtesty of Dimitrios Kambouris