If fashion enthusiasts have anything marked on their scheds, chances are, it’s the Met Gala. The fundraising event for New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is fashion’s annual Olympics, where onlookers put on their jury hats to appraise the guests and their takes on the theme of the year—that is, if they followed it in the first place!
While some ensembles might hit the meme pages or see downright infamy, other stars take it as an opportunity to show off their heritage. Case in point? The Filipino-blooded guests who’ve rocked the Met steps with the Philippines on their sleeve.
Below, we pin down all the times Met Gala guests flaunted their Filipino heritage through their showstopping outfits.
1. Vanessa Hudgens at Met Gala 2022
In an interpretation of the “Gilded Glamour” theme, Vanessa Hudgens recruited Moschino and then-creative director Jeremy Scott for a sheer black number during the 2022 Met Gala.
The High School Musical star was swathed in a full-length piece, strategically placed with lace and body-baring material. However, its shoulder details were a highlight of their own, puffed to resemble the terno’s classic butterfly sleeves. In an Instagram post, the Filipina-American actress revealed that it was an “homage” to her heritage.
2. Saweetie at Met Gala 2021
The theme “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” can conjure up diverse sartorial takes, but Filipina-American Saweetie took it as a chance to rep her roots at 2021’s Met Gala. Recruiting designer Christian Cowan for the job, Saweetie slipped on a shimmering sultry piece, detailed by twin trains that draped on the famous Met stairs.
The crystal-sown gown’s red, blue, and yellow palette is a notable one for Filipinos, since it’s actually inspired by the Philippine flag. Opposite it was an homage to the Black American heritage flag, making both trains a nod to her Filipino-Chinese mother and African-American father.
3. Fashionista.com Editor Whitney Bauck at Met Gala 2019
The “Camp: Notes On Fashion” 2019 Met Gala theme might have produced some famous and infamous interpretations, but one Fil-Am editor certainly had ideas for a Filipino spin.
Draped in a red-and-white creation from Manila-based designer Carl Jan Cruz, then-Fashionista.com associate editor Whitney Bauck flaunted her motherland in the plaid frock, which Carl described as a deconstructed take on Colegio San Agustin Makati's school uniform. Now that’s camp!
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