Monday night’s Met Gala turned out a very polarizing red carpet. Celebrities either erred on the side of caution or went balls-to-the-wall when interpreting/ignoring the night’s Manus x Machina dress code. One person who was definitely feeling a bold vibe was Madonna, and it wasn’t just a fashion statement she was making with her super-sheer Givenchy lace gown. Yesterday the 57-year-old Material Girl took to Instagram to school the haters of her confident look — seriously, world? — on why the haute couture gown was also an avant-garde “political statement” about age and sexuality.
“We have fought and continue to fight for civil rights and gay rights around the world,” Madge wrote in a caption. “When it comes to Women’s rights we are still in the dark ages. My dress at the Met Ball was a political statement as well as a fashion statement. The fact that people actually believe a woman is not allowed to express her sexuality and be adventurous past a certain age is proof that we still live in an age-ist and sexist society.”
The Queen of Pop reminds everyone that she’s never been about playing by the rules. “I have never thought in a limited way and I’m not going to start. We cannot effect change unless we are willing to take risks by being fearless and by taking the road leas traveled by. That’s how we change history. If you have a problem with the way I dress it is simply a reflection of your prejudice. I’m not afraid to pave the way for all the girls behind me!! As Nina Simone once said, the definition of freedom is being fearless. I remain Unapologetic and a Rebel in this life and all the others. Join my fight for Gender. Equality!”
It’s sad that Madonna was compelled to defend her choice, but also kind of awesome that she did. From Emma Watson’s recycled dress and Lily-Rose Depp’s defense of not smiling to Lupita Nyong’o’s lesson in the politics of black women’s hair, Monday’s Met Gala might just have been the most unexpectedly progressive yet.
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Text Hannah Ongley
Images via Instagram