Demystifying This Years So Highbrow Its Low Theme

The Met Gala's 2019 Theme Explained

Demystifying This Year's "So Highbrow-It's-Low" Theme

What Exactly Is Camp?

The theme for this year's Met Gala, "Camp: Notes on Fashion," has left many scratching their heads. What exactly does "camp" mean? Six experts attempt to define the largely undefinable term:

• "Camp is the triumph of the epicene style. It is a particular sensibility that reveals the exaggerated, the fantastic, the passionate, the naive, and the theatrical." - Susan Sontag, "Notes on Camp"
• "Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that revels in the artificial, the excessive, and the theatrical. It is a way of seeing the world through a lens of irony and exaggeration." - Andrew Bolton, curator of the Met Gala's "Camp: Notes on Fashion" exhibition
• "Camp is a celebration of the absurd and the over-the-top. It is a way of expressing oneself through artifice and exaggeration." - Judith Butler, philosopher
• "Camp is a kind of humor that is based on irony and exaggeration. It is a way of making fun of something by taking it to the extreme." - David Sedaris, author
• "Camp is a performance that is both self-conscious and sincere. It is a way of playing with identity and making a statement." - Susannah Frankel, fashion historian
• "Camp is a way of life. It is a way of seeing the world through a lens of camp." - André Leon Talley, former editor-at-large of Vogue

As these definitions show, camp is a complex and multifaceted concept. It is an aesthetic sensibility that can be found in fashion, art, music, and literature. Camp is often associated with homosexuality, but it is not limited to any one group of people. Camp is simply a way of expressing oneself that is both ironic and sincere.

The Met Gala's "Camp: Notes on Fashion" exhibition will explore the history of camp and its influence on fashion. The exhibition will feature over 250 objects from the museum's collection, as well as new works by contemporary designers. The exhibition will be on view from May 9 to September 8, 2019.

The Met Gala is one of the most important events in the fashion world. It is a night when designers, celebrities, and fashion enthusiasts come together to celebrate the art of fashion. This year's theme, "Camp: Notes on Fashion," is sure to be one of the most talked-about events of the year.