Ah, it was that time of year again. Where celebrities from all walks of art, together with New York high society, pull out their most outrageous, bold and daring looks. Yes, it was time for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual fundraiser gala, i.e. the MET Ball. And this year’s theme of Camp all but demanded that the looks be nothing but daring and outrageous.

So before I unveil my top ten fashion moments from this year’s Gala, it seems only appropriate to address the obvious question – what is Camp? It’s a term that’s been bandied around the fashion world for decades, some see it as ubiquitous to the world of drag queens, and for many, it is a term that is synonymous with the work of John Waters.

Urban Dictionary defines Camp as “something that provides sophisticated, knowing amusement, as by virtue of its being artlessly mannered or stylized, self-consciously artificial and extravagant, or teasingly ingenuous and sentimental”.

For a more apt definition, as this year’s MET Gala theme was pulled from the 1964 essay Notes on Camp by Susan Sontag (a really great read by the way), the author summed up the term as follows, “Camp is a certain mode of aestheticism. It is one way of seeing the world as an aesthetic phenomenon. That way, the way of Camp is not in terms of beauty, but in terms of the degree of artifice, of stylization”.

So what then does this all mean? Well personally, I define Camp as embracing the wild and outrageous inner you via a fashionable look that’s both playful but stylistically amazing.

In other words, I want something daring and outrageous that’s still structured, well designed and of high quality. So with that said, without further ado, here are my top ten looks from this year’s MET Gala.

Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell – I mean, let’s face it, Lady Gaga practically embodies Camp. She’s made a career out of Camp. So naturally, all eyes were on her, especially considering she was one of the co-chairs of this year’s Gala. And she didn’t disappoint with this outrageous number that morphed into four different looks as she walked along the red carpet.

Billy Porter in The Blonds – That’s how you make an entrance ladies and gentlemen. Billy Porter did not come to play. Dramatic, over the top, bold – just perfect.

Cardi B. in Thom Browne – This was simply stunning. Gorgeous color, designed beautifully with the right amount of drama and beauty and Cardi worked it.

Gigi Hadid in Michael Kors – Certainly not as wild as many of the outfits on this list but what I love about this look is the sleekness and structure of it. This was a really well put together look and Gigi wore it very well.

Laverne Cox in Christian Siriano – First off, I can’t be the only one surprised that this was Laverne’s first MET Gala. Especially considering how huge Orange is The New Black was a few years ago, coupled with Laverne’s groundbreaking TIME Magazine cover. That said, she certainly made up for lost time with this stunner. This just screamed drama, diva and gothic beauty all rolled into one.

Ezra Miller in Burberry – Ezra, like Billy Porter, is one of the few male celebrities, who are not afraid to go full throttle with his fashion aesthetic. This was fascinating, beautiful, creepy, and weird and amazing all rolled into one.

Michael Urie in Christian Siriano – Well you can’t do Camp without at least one androgynous look that mixes the masculine and feminine. At least I think so. And Michael Urie apparently agrees with me, nailing this duality look.

Janelle Monae in Christian Siriano – Um, she had a giant eyelash that kept blinking at us on her outfit? Do I really need to say anymore?

Celine Dion in Oscar de la Renta – It’s nice to see Celine Dion back out there living her life and looking like she’s having a ball doing so, since the passing of her husband Rene. Like Gigi Hadid’s look, this one was a bit more on the conservative side of things but I loved it for just how well put together it was. And that headpiece was everything.

Jordan Roth in Iris van Herpen – I am just so impressed by how many men truly stepped it up this year and just went for it with their choices. I love the detailing on this, giving opera theater meets the rising Pheonix.

Images courtesy Google Images