Stars panic under the theme of this year's Met Gala

At the moment, the A-Listers are hoping their planning weeks and worries will pay off – and they will not seem ridiculous at the 71st Annual Met Gala.

This year's theme is "Camp: Notes on Fashion". In her 1966 book, "Notes on Camp," author Susan Sontag describes the "camp" as "the metaphor of life as a theater," which seems self-evident to Anna Wintour. fashion show In recent years, Rihanna was dressed in papal costume, Katy Perry in 7 foot angel wings and Kanye West in ice blue contacts, supposed to make him look like a cyborg.

Nevertheless, some celebrities are nervous about choosing the right theme.

"I know some of the A-listers who attend regularly are not happy with the looks the designers were offering them," said a fashion insider. "The idea of" camp "is out of reach. A major hairdresser from a famous actress told me, "She's panicking because she just wants to be pretty."

According to an experienced fashionista, Wintour is afraid of offending Wintour: "You go up the stairs. [at the Metropolitan Museum of Art] and. . . if she does not smile, your dress fears. "

Wintour and his team of Vogue traditionally associate celebrities (at least those who do not have a contract of approval with fashion houses) to designers. But some brands still make their own star lists to target.

"Vuitton and Gucci are very aggressive," said fashion director Chris Constable. "When I was working for DVF in 2014, Diane told us what her priorities were. That year, it was Selena Gomez, Jessica Alba and Olivia Munn.

In the meantime, Tom Ford has the shortest list. "Tom has a very clear idea of ​​who wears his clothes," said an internal source. "We have to refuse a lot of celebrities, believe me."

And celebrity stylists also want to put their stamp on things.

"Stylists are actually more competitive for the Met than even the Oscars," said stylist Phillip Bloch.

Stylist Ty Hunter, who dressed Beyoncé for several Met Galas, said, "I'm never competing with anyone. Beyoncé no more. The last two times we used Riccardo Tisci, formerly at Givenchy – he knows what works for her. It makes things easier.

Nevertheless, the behavior of the singer certainly suggests that she wishes to be the center of all attentions.

In 2015, said Neal Farinah, the hairdresser-stylist, Beyoncé went to the bun to go to the ball. She then wanted to switch to a high ponytail, judging the bun "too theatrical". As a result, Ms. Carter was an hour late. (According to Constable, "Vogue and [publicity powerhouse] KCD dictates the time each star arrives, based on their fashion reputation. ")

A celebrity stylist said that unexpected hair could be a quick way to attract attention.

"If you change your hair or come with a famous date, the press goes crazy," said the celebrity stylist, who confessed to advising a client to make such a decision. No wonder the brunette Anne Hathaway appeared in 2013 with a platinum elf ready to shoot. Last year, Cara Delevingne made her pink hairstyle debut thanks to hairdresser-stylist Mara Roszak.

Sometimes, the stars refuse to wear what has been done for them.

In 2012, Miuccia Prada herself created a silver satin outfit for Gwyneth Paltrow, according to a former celebrity wrestler for Prada. Paltrow stylist Elizabeth Saltzman told the Post: "It was a silver satin top and a beautiful ball skirt. But she said, "Elizabeth, I want to entertain my friends." She did not want everyone to go on her train. So she left the skirt behind!

(After swearing off the gala in 2013 and telling USA Today, "I'll never come back, it was so much fun" – Paltrow returned in 2017 and should be attending this year.)

"There are a lot of women who [first] see what they wear that day. Some are sewn at the last minute [because there’s not enough time for fittings]Said Constable. "Many actresses do not like their dresses! But it's so late, they can not change. "

Maybe that's why Blake Lively is the rare star who avoids stylists.

"It's a creative outlet for her," said a close friend of the star. "She goes to Vogue.com, watches shows, has her own relationships with designers. I saw it rearrange a dress for the Met, change the hem. It includes everything, even hair and makeup. "

Even though Lively would not be on the red carpet for Monday's gala, expectations are high, including Rihanna, Solange Knowles, Sarah Jessica Parker (known for her super soft hats), Katy Perry and others generally putting all what they have in the theme.

Just like Jared Leto, who is often attached to his friend Alessandro Michele, creative director of Gucci and one of the co-presidents of this year's gala (alongside Lady Gaga, Serena Williams and Harry Styles). Last year, both wore Gucci headband tiaras; this year, "they will be the quintessence of the camp," said a knowledgeable stylist.

Yet there are insiders who question the thinking behind the theme.

"It's hard to choose a camp theme when [the Met Gala is] already by nature, "said Mark Silver, founder of Factory PR. "I think this theme is a little deaf at the moment. We are at a time of empowering women and costumes of Nancy Pelosi. "

"Trust me, Kardashians do not worry about it being politically incorrect," said another stylist. "And Anna let everything become about them."

Fashion historian Bronwyn Cosgrave, co-host of the "A Tweed Tweed" podcast, does not think participants should be too stressed by the dress code.

"I do not think it's all about fashion. It's all about costume, "Cosgrave said. "The fashion designers of the past years made costumes for these giant balls of the female society. They were characters more than couture clothes. And you do not see headgear like the SJP outside the Met. "