Bella Hadid swapped her corset for nipple pasties at Met Gala after party
The Met Gala red carpet was filled with all the high-octane drama and glamour that you would expect from this year’s theme for the Costume Institute’s exhibition, In America: An Anthology of Fashion. From intricate corsetry to wide-hipped bustles, stars channelled the ‘gilded glamour’ theme with aplomb.
At the Met Gala after parties however, celebrities are able to flex their muscles when it comes to both personal and modern style. Sans theme, stars can go all out without restriction.
That being said, many chose to continue to nod to the gilded age with their designer after party looks.
Read more: The best, riskiest and wow-factor celebrity outfits on the Met Gala red carpet
For models like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, that meant shedding voluminous Prada trains and leather Burberry corsets and opting for lingerie-inspired looks that still ticked the right boxes.
Bella Hadid’s deep V corset style, with floral nipple covers and lace bustle detailing in particular paid homage to the late 19th century and early 20th century exotic dancer known as Mata Hari.
The Dutch-born dancer, whose real name was Margaretha Geertruida MacLeod, rose to prominence around the turn of the 20th century after moving to Paris from the island of Java in Indonesia, where she had studied the local culture and dance.
From there, Mata Hari became known for wearing very little, often wearing exotic and revealing clothing for her acts or shedding it altogether until she was left wearing jewellery and a breastplate.
Read more: All the Met Gala 2022 moments you missed, from bleached brows to topless guests
Bella Hadid’s custom look for the Casa Cipriani Met Gala afterparty in New York was created by up-and-coming designer Dilara Findikoglu, who posted the revealing look to her Instagram page.
“Bella as Mata Hari on her way to a Victorian Funeral [sic],” wrote the Turkish-British fashion designer.
Hadid, whose mother Yolanda Hadid is Dutch (which may or may not have had an influence on her outfit choice), looked stunning in the revealing outfit, opting for pearl drop earrings and a tassel clutch bag to complete her look.
“The corset is made from handwoven Turkish moire embellished with victorian jet black beading and victorian lace trimmings,” added Findikoglu. “The skirt part is made from a piece of a hand-beaded Belle Epoque dress with a ruffled victorian cape used as a bustle [sic].”
Read more: The nearly-nude trend dominating the Met Gala
Elsewhere, TikTok star Addison Rae also got the barely there memo, stepping out to the Met Gala after party at Zero Bond in Downtown Manhattan in another design by Findikoglu.
The 21-year-old social media sensation wore a sheer black dress that looked to pay homage to some of the nightgowns of the late 19th century, and which featured a subtle structured bustle at the hip.
Kendall Jenner stepped out in a lace organza top-and-skirt combination that featured nude Miu Miu bloomers and bra beneath in full view, as a nod to the underwear of the gilded age.
So whilst fashion’s favourite models stripped back their Met Gala gowns and opted for the ‘less-is-more’ approach, they certainly didn’t leave the ‘gilded glamour’ theme behind.
Watch: The best outfits from the 2022 Met Gala
