This year’s Met Gala took a turn when celebrities walked down a blue carpet instead of the iconic red one. Bejeweled with daffodils, this sea of blue was designed by American artist Cy Gavin. The reason behind it lies within the Greek myth about Narcissus. 

Narcissus was a vain young man who fell in love with his reflection after seeing it in a pool of water. He passed away, leaving behind flowers called Narcissus flowers, though more commonly known as daffodils. This carpet is an ode to that pool of water as the artist became “interested in that moment of self-recognition and appreciation,” both of which Narcissus found when looking upon his reflection.

The theme of “Superfine: Tailoring to Black Style,” inspired by the book “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity” by Monica L. Miller, was also a form of recognition, as it focused on Black dandyism and identity. This coincided with an exhibit featured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which hosts the Met Gala. Fashion designers used this theme to dress celebrities in tailored outfits, both sleek and avant-garde, and used key elements of Black culture. 

The event was co-chaired by A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, Pharrel Williams, Anna Wintour, and LeBron James, who was an honorary chair because of his inability to attend the event. These celebrities took center stage as they presented their outfits on the carpet, setting a standard for the interpretation of the theme.