Vogue Creates Campy Films in the 2019 Met Gala Video Booth

Vogue Invites 2019 Met Gala Attendees to Star in Their Own Campy Short Films

By Sara Barnes on May 7, 2019

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Gone camping. Vogue Editor-in-Chief and Condé Nast Artistic Director Anna Wintour wears a @Chanelofficial couture pink sequined gown and feathered cape. Directed by @bardiazeinali DP @kellyjeffrey Movement @sherriesilver Steadicam @yoshisteadiop Production @prodn_artandcommerce Edit & Post Production @modern.post Titles @duzansky Set Design @davidjameswhite_ Motion Design @mangomotiondesign Music @50cent

A post shared by Vogue (@voguemagazine) on May 6, 2019 at 5:51pm PDT

The annual Met Gala is known as “fashion’s biggest night out,” and 2019 did not disappoint. As in previous years, there were incredible and often outrageous ensembles worn by some of the world’s biggest stars. The theme of the night was “Camp,” which refers to a style—well-known in film and drag culture—that is ostentatious and theatrical. It can be over-the-top and even silly. (John Waters’ 1988 film Hairspray is a great example of camp.) The event’s theme is in anticipation of the grand opening of the Costume Institute’s exhibition called Camp: Notes on Fashion, scheduled to launch on May 9, 2019.

While there are many photos detailing attendee’s outfits, Vogue magazine created a unique way to remember the night. They collaborated with celebrities to create super short films that combine music and fine art with the campy style. Directed by Bardia Zeinali, the videos are reminiscent of movies from decades ago with panning shots of celebrities like Céline Dion interspersed with grainy clips a bird fluttering its wings. Paired with tight shots and voiceovers, there is an exaggeration that is a tell-tale sign of camp.

The videos, shared on Instagram, are as beguiling as they are surreal—characteristics that are best represented in Jared Leto’s performance. Leto arrived at the 2019 Met Gala with a lifelike version of his own head in tow (à la Gucci). For his short film, Zeinali and team pull the camera away from Leto as he sits in a chair stroking the hair of his giant doll head. As he does this, the music playing slows down and becomes warped, making us question everything about the scene.

Scroll down to enjoy the performances of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and more from the 2019 Met Gala.