The annual Met Gala theme is like a test, and the fiercely critical public loves to hold attendees accountable for arriving in red carpet looks that land.
This year, guests were told to take notes from Susan Sontag's 1964 essay on Camp ("love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration"), and many successfully pushed their red carpet moments to the edge, whether that meant carrying an exact replica of their head as an accessory (Jared Leto), unveiling four outfit changes (Lady Gaga), or dressing as a literal Chandelier (Katy Perry).
As Best and Worst Dressed lists flood the Internet, PAPER asked 25 experts in Camp (drag queens, nightlife legends, makeup artists, pop stars, actors) to choose their Top 5 looks from the 2019 Met Gala. We pooled their picks to find The Winner (Hamish Bowles), and The Runners Up (Janelle Monáe, Lady Gaga, Billy Porter, and Ezra Miller). See the Campiest outfits, below.
Nicky Ottav, Artist
Jared Leto (in Gucci)
Follow Nicky Ottav on Instagram (@nickyottav).
Patricia Field, Stylist
Amy Fine Collins (in Thom Browne)
Follow Patricia Field on Instagram (@patriciafield).
Jovel, Model
Laverne Cox (in Christian Siriano)
Follow Jovel on Instagram (@itsjovel).
Linux, Nightlife It Girl
Janelle Monáe (in Christian Siriano)
Follow Linux on Instagram (@im_linux).
Benito Skinner, Comedian
Zendaya (in Tommy Hilfiger)
Follow Benito Skinner on Instagram (@bennydrama7).
Daniel Lismore, Artist
Celine Dion (in Oscar De La Renta)
Follow Daniel Lismore on Instagram (daniellismore).
Slayyyter, Pop Star
Billy Porter (in the Blondes)
Follow Slayyyter on Instagram (@slayyyter).
Michael Musto, Writer
Saoirse Ronan (in Gucci)
Follow Michael Musto on Instagram (@musto184).
Harrie Bradshaw, Designer
Donatella Versace (in Versace)
Follow Harrie Bradshaw on Instagram (@harrie.bradshaw).
Alexis Stone, Drag Artist
Kylie Jenner (in Versace)
Follow Alexis Stone on Instagram (@thealexisstone).
Johnny Cassanova, Artist
Ezra Miller (in Burberry)
Follow Johnny Cassanova on Instagram (@johnnycassanova).
Anna Sui, Designer
Naomi Campbell (in Valentino)
Follow Anna Sui on Instagram (@annasui).
Gabriel Held, Fashion Historian
Liu Wen (in Thom Browne)
Follow Gabriel Held on Instagram (@gabriel_held_vintage).
Nails by Juan, Nail Artist
Billy Porter (in The Blonds)
Follow Nails by Juan on Instagram (@nailsbyjuan.nyc)
Justin Tranter, Hitmaker
Dee & Tommy Hilfiger (in Tommy Hilfiger)
Follow Justin Tranter on Instagram (@tranterjustin).
Mickey Boardman, PAPER Editorial Director
Katy Perry (in Moschino)
Follow Mickey Boardman on Instagram (askmrmickey).
Jodie Harsh, Drag Queen
Gwen Stefani (in Moschino)
Follow Jodie Harsh on Instagram (@jodieharsh).
Darian Darling, Makeup Artist
Violet Chachki (in Moschino)
Follow Darian Darling on Instagram (@moidariandarling).
Ladyfag, Nightlife Legend
Lena Waithe (in Pyer Moss)
Follow Ladyfag on Instagram (@ladyfag).
Raisa Flowers, Makeup Artist
Kelela (in Paco Rabanne)
Follow Raisa Flowers on Instagram (@raisaflowers).
Dorian Electra, Pop Star
Zazie Beetz (in Thom Browne)
Follow Dorian Electra on Instagram (@dorianelectra).
HaraJuku, Drag Queen
Aquaria (in Margiela)
Follow HaraJuku on Instagram (@harajuku.nyc).
Isaac Mizrahi, Designer
RuPaul (in Zaldy)
Follow Isaac Mizrahi on Instagram (@isaacmizrahiny).
Ruby Fox, Drag Queen
Kim Kardashian (in Mugler)
Follow Ruby Fox on Instagram (@rubyfoxny).
Debi Mazar, Actress
Katy Perry (in Moschino)
Follow Debi Mazar on Instagram (@debimazar).
Patrick McDonald, Fashion Icon
Lady Gaga (in Brandon Maxwell)
Follow Patrick McDonald on Instagram (@dandyofnewyork).
Photos via BFA