Loading summary
Ray
Foreign.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
This episode of Stylish is brought to you by Michael Hill. Celebrate all the mums in your life with 25% off selected styles this Mother's Day at Michael Hill. This is Stylish, the podcast for all things fashion, brand beauty and lifestyle. Although it feels like it's going to be very fashion orientated today.
Ray
Solely met gala today.
Joanna Fleming
Absolutely nothing else. Don't expect anything else from us.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Nothing. I am Madison Sullivan Thorpe. I am joined by Arnika. No, I'm not. No, you're not. No, I'm not.
Ray
She's not.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
You know what? I'm top of mind because Annika has very kindly given us a swap.
Ray
Yeah. So we can start with Annika's swap.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Now I'm joined by, in spirit, Annika Joshi Smith, but in person, Joanna Fleming and my lovely bad gal, Riri Rhiannon Joyce.
Ray
Hello, hello, Hello.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I am so excited for today's episode and I know that we are all jumping at the bit to talk Met Guller. But before we do, I would love to share a little what's in my algorithm with you all.
Ray
Go for it.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
John Summitt and the Rimowa. Now, there are a lot of people that I feel sorry for today, but I'm feeling a little bit sorry for the Rimowa PR team because John Summitt, if you don't know, is a DJ in the US. He was actually previously an accountant.
Ray
He was, yeah.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
LinkedIn have just done a great thing with him. But aside from that point, he is a staunch hater of his Rimowa suitcase. So much so that he's been beefing with this suitcase for, like, five years and actually took to setting it alight after it basically collapsed midair. And, like, it was coming around the turnstile. Turnstile. What do we call them? What do you call them?
Joanna Fleming
Baggage carousel.
Ray
Baggage carousel.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Baggage carousel. Thank you. And it was, like, all taped together. Like, clearly someone.
Joanna Fleming
It was kind of in a plastic bag. Like, they had to put a plastic bag over it to stop the contents from spilling out.
Ray
And a tub. It was in a tub. It wasn't shake, which is like. Also anyone who has remoa, your intention is for your luggage to look chic. Like, they are so expensive. They're bougie. I think they're really cool. But they get a lot of beef online.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
They get a lot of beef. And he literally. There is footage of him, like, pouring oil over it. And to put this into perspective, I think that these suitcases of that size retail from somewhere of like 1800 Aud North. Like, just keep Going up depending on materiality and what colors you're picking and whatnot. Like, they're not cheap. And he wrote, like, german engineering my ass. Like, ending my five year beef with my rimowa and set it in flames. Like, he kind of looked like an unhinged woman who'd been scorned. Like, and you know, when they're torching, like, ex husband's undies, I really want
Joanna Fleming
to see what luggage brand he goes for next.
Ray
Yeah, I bet July's already in there.
Joanna Fleming
Oh, you'd have to be in his DMs, like, immediately. If you worked for another luggage brand, you'd be like, we have to be the next ones and we have to impress Samsonite base.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
You know, July. Like, it depends who it is. If I was Samsonite, I'd go, look, we're not the coolest kid on the blog, mind you. They are probably one of the best luggage brands I know.
Ray
I've had my Samsonite for over, I'm going to say almost 18 years now. They're durable.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah. And notoriously light.
Ray
I've got the little Black American Tourist 1. My zip's broken on the inside, but that's, that's fine. On the outside, it's all good. The other brand in the US that is similar to July is away.
Joanna Fleming
Yes.
Ray
I feel like they'll be all over this.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I would be like, we are going to do a campaign that shows, like, we're fireproof or something. Anyway, I just wanted to share it because, like, it just goes to show that it takes one, like, formative figure online to make your week. In this case, I think we're rolling onto the second or third week of this a living hell.
Ray
Also, price point doesn't necessarily equal quality. I have heard rumors on the Internet that ever since Brimoa was purchased by lvmh, the quality has dipped.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Maddie's going down. I feel like the price is right, you know, like, down, down, down.
Ray
It's giving that calls out, down, down. Prices are down. That doesn't happen anymore, though, because prices are up.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah.
Ray
All right, let's get into the swap. Who wants to go first?
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Jo, you go first.
Joanna Fleming
Oh, really?
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah.
Joanna Fleming
Okay, great. Well, I was on TikTok the other day and I got stuck on. And this is where I realized that my attention span is not a problem because I sat. I think this video had to be the 10 minute. Is it still 10 minutes maximum on TikTok?
Ray
I'm pretty sure it's 10 minutes.
Rhiannon Joyce
I think so.
Joanna Fleming
It was long. Whatever it was. This Video. So this creator, Eugenia McQuarrie on TikTok, whose dad is actually a famous filmmaker, she filmed this piece of content in her family friend's bedroom. This family friend is 72 years old, her name is Kathy. She has the most phenomenal collection of vintage designer clothes I have ever seen. And she was just giving them away to Eugenia. She was just like, oh, you've got to try this, you've got to try that. And she would put these outfits on and it was like everything was made for her body. It was like honestly the best piece of content. I sat, I was glued, just waiting for the next accessory. And then Kathy would come along with a brooch or a belt or a hat and she'd accessorize the whole look for her and then have her model it. It's honestly like, it's so heartwarming to also see the bond between like a more mature woman and a younger woman and sharing this love for style. So I highly recommend you go and look at Eugenia's TikTok. There's like a few different videos of her doing these. Try on hauls with Kathy, but I just, I'm obsessed.
Ray
Oh, 14 year old Ray would love that. It's giving like movie montage.
Joanna Fleming
Oh, it is.
Ray
100%.
Joanna Fleming
Yeah. You have to see some of these outfits as well. Like vintage 80s, 90s mostly, but things that you just would not be able to get now.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I want a Kathy.
Ray
Yeah, I'd love a Cathy.
Joanna Fleming
Everyone in the comments is like, how did you strike gold here? Like this is literally better than winning the lottery.
Ray
I don't know if I. What, what do I want more? Do I want to be Kathy or do I want a Kathy? Like if this was future Ray and people described me as Kathy, I'm the coolest.
Joanna Fleming
Yeah, yeah.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I mean in the wise words of the Al de Paso ad plus Buenos los dos. Please don't come for me for my mispronunciation. I know you did quite well. Thank you so much. But I want to be both. I want to be Kathy and I want to be the lovely beneficiary receiving. Yeah, exactly.
Ray
Mads, your swap, go for it.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
My swap? My swap is actually a pair of underwear that were bought for me by my friend INS after a few glasses of champagne. Don't ask how we got there, but the end result is a great pair of underwear. It is a US brand called Hanky Panky. It's a little bit like the Hunza G of underwear. And if you don't know what Hunter G is it's kind of this one size fits all. So I think that they do underwear like in different sizing and I think on the pack it was US size 4 to size US 16. So like they're like these little laces
Ray
kind of stretches with you.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah, it moves with you. They are so comfy and they're kind of cute like bit sexy. Hanky Panky and what a great name. Hanky Panky.
Joanna Fleming
I need to look these up. Hanky Panky.
Ray
I've never heard of them.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Well, they came in three shades so INS was very generous and bought me three pairs. A black, a nude and a little white.
Joanna Fleming
Classy looking at them now they're so
Ray
comfy and shipped to Australia.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yes.
Joanna Fleming
Looks like you can get them on a Amazon as well and revolve.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Fantastic. That's my swap. Hanky Panky.
Joanna Fleming
I love an underwear recommendation for you.
Ray
So do I. Who's gonna ask me when I'm.
Joanna Fleming
Oh yeah, sorry Ray, go on. I was too busy looking at these undies.
Ray
Jo's trying to buy underwear in real time beauty products for me.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Oh I know.
Ray
It's rare that I have a beauty wreck. The Cosis Airbrow Clear Lifting Treatment Gel. I don't like to really mess around with a lot of brow products. I feel like I overdo it. I've already got thick brows as it is. Just a classic gel. Pulls up all the little, you know, flyaway loose ones. So even when I don't have my brows done, I have them done at the moment. They're perfect.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Just ask her.
Ray
But when I'm getting close to my appointment and I'm like, oh, I just need to brush them up and give them that like bushy look. They're so good and it holds really well.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Fantastic.
Joanna Fleming
I'm still laughing at that.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
They're perfect.
Joanna Fleming
Humble queen.
Ray
I've worked really hard.
Joanna Fleming
No, and honestly you should recognize that.
Ray
Thank you.
Joanna Fleming
We also have a swap for Monica today which we are going to play now.
Rhiannon Joyce
I want to give a shout out to someone who I am truly inspired by at the moment. I'm lucky enough to call this person not only a colleague but also a friend. So Leah, please don't get mad at me if I butcher your last name because I know I'm so going to. But Leah Giorgantis who owns Girls with Gems in Sydney and also is the founder of Sneaky Link which is her in house label. She's just an all round legend. Legend. And now what I love about her is that she is unapologetically herself. So if you follow her on socials. If you don't, you definitely need to. Her Instagram handle is Leah Girls with Gems Girls with Gems is definitely a place I would consider centered around inclusivity, which in the fashion industry is pretty rare. But sneaky. Link actually goes up to a size 4 XL for a follow. Her style's fab, her energy's amazing and she's just an all round great person.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I absolutely love that shout out. And also total side note, their TikTok is one of my favorites to follow because not only are they just sharing their great product but their office team.
Joanna Fleming
Their office.
Ray
Yeah, it's so on my radar at the moment because famously we're moving into a new HQ and so many people DM me saying follow their office revamp journey.
Joanna Fleming
They've just moved as well.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah so enjoy the revamp but also shout out to Daniel, the 20 year old in their team who they won't really say what he does. They keep saying it's a secret but he must be protected at all costs. He is my fault. Favorite Internet personality right now. Okay, we are going to be getting into all things Met Gala. But first a word from today's sponsor. The word mom means different things to different people. You might think of your actual mom and all she has done for you over the course of your life. Or you might have a one of a kind connection to an older sister, stepmom or grandma. And for some, it might be the perfect word to describe a best friend or your chosen family. Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday, May 10, and it's so much more than yet another holiday on the calendar. It's your opportunity to celebrate, thank and spoil mothers and women in your life. We can all agree that nothing beats Jory when it comes to Mother's Day gifting. It's meaningful, foolproof, and something she can treasure forever. Especially especially so if it's from Michael Hill. This year, Michael Hill is celebrating all kinds of mums with all kinds of fine jewelry. Think matching mum and baby bracelets for the new mum, bespoke tennis jewelry for the chic mum and new colored bracelets for the creative mum. And then there's the pendant bar where you can create a personalized gift with birthstones, initials and symbolic charms. Best of all, you can spoil Mum even more this year with 25% off selected styles for a limited time only. Shop in store or online at Michael Hill. And thank you so much to Michael Hill for making this episode as stylish possible.
Ray
Well, only the Biggest night in fashion is upon us. The Met Gala.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Rae just, like, absolutely got so excited. Then, like, she just, like, set up the platform and was like, did you want me to, like, we're going to be like, ah, yes.
Joanna Fleming
Well, I think it. It goes to show how excited we are given that we've ch. Changed our recording day. We normally record on a Monday night, and we're here on Tuesday at lunchtime so that we could watch the live stream of the red carpet this morning, which I think we all were doing in our respective homes and workplaces.
Ray
And it's a monumental moment for us because it's also Stylish's second birthday.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Okay, so we didn't woo for the backyard.
Joanna Fleming
Is it second or third?
Ray
Aren't we second? No, we're two.
Joanna Fleming
We're two.
Ray
We just feel like we've been around forever.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
We've been around the block.
Ray
No, Every time I think of the Met Gala, you know, everyone thinks Anna Wintour, Vogue. I think Stylish's birthday, of course, because
Joanna Fleming
it was our first episode.
Ray
It was our first episode.
Joanna Fleming
So if you want a little bit more background on the Met Gala and the history of the Met Gala, our first ever episode was Anna Wintour only knows. Only knows.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Anna Wintour only knows.
Ray
Look, don't judge. You guys have come.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
She wasn't even on it. You weren't even on it.
Ray
But you've got to start somewhere. And you guys were amazing talent when you started, but look how far you've come.
Joanna Fleming
I won't be listening to it.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I mean, Jo, if anyone else wants
Joanna Fleming
to, though, feel free.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
The content is great. Perhaps we're not.
Ray
That's right. You got to start somewhere. Mads, give us a quick run sheet for those who don't want to go back and listen to you guys in the OG Days. What is the Met Gala?
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
So it might be easy to forget this, but the Met Gala is actually a charity fundraiser event. So I feel like that's lost in translation, especially this year. Well, famously. But it is in collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And every year, there is a theme that centers around it that is in celebration of fashion and the stories. And I think a lot of the time, fashion is considered to be a frivolous thing, a vain thing. But I do really love and respect what the Met Gala represents in that it is spotlighting designers, it is heroing. You know, it kind of is this intersection of media and celebrity and costume and fashion, and it is. It is a massive moment, and you can dwindle it down and make it sound small and vain for wanting to have it up on your third screen on your laptop at work, or you can acknowledge it for what it is, is that it is a performance and a celebration of an incredible industry that hires so many and lifts up so much.
Ray
It also does raise serious cash. Like, we're talking huge numbers. So last year alone, in 2025, they raised the biggest amount yet, 31 million USD. And from what I've seen online, although there's been a lot of controversy around who's been backing this year's Met Gala and the guest list and the involvement the tech industry has altogether, it's rumored that they're going to absolutely smash that number.
Joanna Fleming
Yeah.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
And look, we're in a different climate than where we have been and. And the Met Gala has been running for many years now, and we're seeing. You know, I would say it's getting bigger and bigger, but this is sort of the first year it feels. I mean, controversy's always surrounded it just based on the exclusivity of the guest list. And previously we've had controversy about. I feel like the first wave was like reality TV stars being invited. So like the Kardashians being there was like a really big, like, oh, YouTubers. Then we moved into YouTubers. We moved into the TikTokers. Now, it appears that this year's controversy is very much centered around, I would say the technology players and maybe some controversial sort of billionaire figures with the likes of Jeff Bezos wife, Lauren Sanchez being on the committee and them buying tables and things like that.
Ray
I would say it feels the most commercial it's ever been. It feels less about the culture and the art and more about what this is as a moment to make and also to position Jeff Bezos's business Amazon, front and center. And it hasn't come without backlash. I believe a lot of protests have been displayed at the front this year. There's been a lot of noise online. People are really annoyed by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos being involved this year. They don't like it.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Do you know what? I can't help but string the bow together as well. That the Devil Wears Prada toe.
Joanna Fleming
Oh.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Having come out last week so hotly speculating.
Ray
They must be pissed.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Oh, it's just also the fact that Vogue had collaborated with the Devil Wears Prada to obviously have that incredible cover with Meryl Streep.
Ray
And it's on the nose.
Joanna Fleming
It's almost comical. I can't help but, like, smile at it because it is so reminiscent of what happens in the movie. And for Anna to have so openly supported that movie, knowing what the context was.
Ray
I was about to say it's kind of. But I don't think I.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Can
Joanna Fleming
we beat that up?
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
You said what you said sort of
Ray
beep sound effect on that one, Kate.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah. I mean, there's a big difference this year. I mean, if we looked back 10 years ago, there were tables being bought by the likes of Topshop, you know, and they would always sort of have a guest collaborator there. You know, we have the likes of Zach posen and Stella McCartney. It was very much brands buying tables. And when I say brands, I mean fashion houses or, you know, name brands. Now we're seeing, like, OpenAI by a table.
Ray
Well, fashion journalist Amy o' Dell shared a post on Instagram last week, and she titled it the Met Gala is now the Tech Gala. She also said individual tickets were 75,000 last year. They're now 100,000. That's a big jump. I mean, inflation.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
It's undeniable.
Ray
That's. That's a huge jump.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah.
Joanna Fleming
I do wonder what's going to be in the goody bags this year.
Ray
That always comes out after.
Joanna Fleming
I am going to keep an eye on it because I feel like they are going to be this year.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Well, I always look forward to the bathroom photos. Kendall Jenner's usually going around with a little Polaroid. Not a Polaroid, a film camera. I always like a little behind the scenes. But my personal favorite is the unauthorized videos of them all dancing at the after party. That really gets me going. Lest we forget Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleswift. Was that his name?
Ray
Swift?
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
What was his name?
Ray
Tom Hiddleston.
Joanna Fleming
Hiddleston.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I think.
Ray
I think it's like their names combined,
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
but I just remember that I don't hate that Hiddleswift.
Ray
You do see unlikely pairings. People coming out, little bit tipsy, holding hands.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Woo.
Ray
Getting papped on the way to the car. Let's do it. Let's watch Deux moi to see who's been papped.
Joanna Fleming
Deux moi de moi.
Ray
Okay, let's get into who we liked. Obvious place to start. Not even who we liked. Who do we love?
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Can I go back 30 seconds? Sure. Can you give me what this is theme was before you tell me who you love so that I've got a little.
Joanna Fleming
I think we've got to send that up.
Ray
Okay.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah.
Ray
Well, set it up.
Joanna Fleming
I'll tell you. Costume art is the name and the theme of the new exhibition that is at the Met and according to Vogue, the exhibition will consider depictions of the dressed body from across the Met's curatorial departments, pairing garments with art objects spanning some 5,000 years. So in line with that, the dress code for this year's Met Gala was fashion is art, which I actually think, look, this could be controversial, but I think that's the best and easiest thing
Ray
I think is that's a walk in the park compared to the previous years.
Joanna Fleming
Oh, absolutely. I don't know how you couldn't nail that theme if you were invited.
Ray
Well, apparently, yeah.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Well, apparently it's my first time on television.
Joanna Fleming
Vogue says the dress code encourages attendees to consider the many ways that designers use the body as their blank canvas, which I think we can say definitely played out.
Ray
Definitely played out.
Joanna Fleming
Having seen it. The co chairs this year are Beyonce, who I think was meant to arrive last. Rihanna Pizza.
Ray
That's.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
She said checkmate.
Joanna Fleming
Seriously?
Ray
I mean, famously, Rihanna does always arrive last. And Beyonce. This is the first time Beyonce's attended the met gala in 10 years. So she was like, here's my moment. I'm gonna put him pin in that because I've got more to add later.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
But Rihanna went, uh, 10pm look who's arriving.
Ray
This is my event.
Joanna Fleming
I thought that was quite funny. Nicole Kidman is also a co chair. Venus Williams and Anna Wintour, there's also a host committee, and Zoe Kravitz and Anthony Vaccarello are chairs of that as well. There's a whole bunch of names on the rest of the committee. We've got people like Sabrina Carpenter and Doja Cat Lena Dunham as well, who we saw on the red carpet too. But the list is too long.
Ray
It's too long.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
It's just an A plus plus list.
Ray
It's a quick Google, I think, after this. All right, I know I tried to jump the gun early and say that we were going to get into who we loved, but that will be right after a word from today's show sponsor. Mother's Day is one of those occasions that sounds simple in theory. Until you try to buy a gift, it feels almost impossible to wrap up decades of support, strength, and unconditional love in one box. But after doing our own research, we found the most meaningful gift in Burberry Goddess Oud Parfum. It's a scent inspired by confidence and kindness, celebrating the lioness in all of us, but especially our moms and the women who've shaped us. Bold, feminine, and so beautiful. Find Burberry Goddess Ol de Parfum at Meyer in Time. For Mother's Day this Sunday, a huge thank you to Burberry Beauty for making this episode of Stylish possible. Finally, the moment has come. I'm really, really excited. Highlight reel. Up top. Mads, who did you love?
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Okay, three Chase Infinity. I absolutely loved in Thom Browne. And this would have been very easy to not know it was Tom Brown, because I think naturally, with Tom Brown, we look for the signature suiting and stripes. But this was absolutely phenomenal. Like, I saw it, and it, like, took my breath away. The other one that I loved was Jeremy Pope in Vivienne Westwood. So unbelievable. Like, this incredible, like, jacketing and suiting. And I do love the men, like, coming to play. There is something in it. And then one thing I love about the Met Gala is I kind of sometimes think it'll be like, a rebrand opportunity for a celebrity or for them to sort of step out in something that is different. And I know that a lot of people will eye roll at both of these names, but I do think that every year, Kylie Jenner has continued to push and push, and I really love when she's not in just the sequin keyhole Schiaparelli. Like, I know she loved that dress, and she's worn that. I think we've seen her play it really safe with Timothee Chalamet on the red carpet. But I thought she looked absolutely spectacular. And the glam, it was just, like, very transformative, and I loved it.
Ray
She looked amazing. Her and Kendall did look very.
Joanna Fleming
Marie and I were talking about this off mic, and I was like, they both got the bare tit, and so did Kim.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
So did Kim. But I loved the idea that. What I loved about Kylie's is it kind of looked like it was her body and the dress, like, midway through getting undressed or dressed.
Ray
Sorry, we moved too quickly away from the bare tit. I just want to come back to that, because the bear tit was everywhere.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah.
Ray
And obviously, I actually felt that was on theme. It was very sculptural. There was a lot of nods to, like, Greek mythology and Hailey Bieber as well.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
In St. Laurent, she had, like, that gold sculptural sort of fitted. I mean, she looked great as well, but I think very much in that family.
Ray
Yeah. Lots of bad tits.
Joanna Fleming
My thought process with that, though, is surely if you were a designer or a stylist, you would go, everyone's gonna be doing that. Like, that was a common theme.
Ray
It was a common theme, but so
Joanna Fleming
the ones that I liked were different to that because it wasn't as obvious.
Ray
Who did you like?
Joanna Fleming
I really liked Isha Ambani. I know the Kardashians went to that wedding. I remember the Ambani wedding. I think we talked about it on this podcast. We did, actually. So she was wearing custom Gaurav Gupta. And she mentioned she did an interview with Ashley Graham and Kara delav on the red carpet. And she was saying that, you know, she. What she was wearing, which was, you know, a sari and it had beautiful jewels all over it. And she said that it felt like celebrating her culture's art form. And she had some of her mother's jewellery in the bodice section of that. It was a really sentimental look. It. She had this steel, like mango in a little bag as well, which was also created by an Indian artist too. And I just thought the way that she brought that to life and brought her own culture in as well was just really unique.
Ray
Incredible interpretation.
Joanna Fleming
Yeah. I just loved it.
Ray
I loved Dre Hemingway. Do you guys know who that is?
Joanna Fleming
Yes. Love Story. Daryl Hannah.
Ray
She played Daryl Hanna.
Joanna Fleming
Yeah.
Ray
Amazing. She was so ethereal. Really cool. Very, very. Just like had presence and her outfit was like a. It felt like art. Yeah, I loved her. She was really cool.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Was there anyone that you were like, oh, that's surprising. I don't want to do a worst dress list. It's not that. It's just like, who did you see? And go like, that's interesting.
Ray
So I would say it's surprising. Sabrina Carpenter. I know a lot of people loved her. She was in Dior. She had a very literal sen. Little film tape. Her makeup was amazing. It was very Gatsby vibes and I liked her accessories. I just didn't love the whole look.
Joanna Fleming
Yeah, see, I was the opposite to that. I didn't like the accessories, but I liked the theme of it being film related. And it was those. What are they called? The.
Ray
It's literally like when you go to film tape. Yeah. It's like a film strip of film.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yes.
Joanna Fleming
The proof sheets.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah.
Joanna Fleming
From film. So I really liked that she did that because it was from the Sabrina movie.
Ray
Bit too literal for me. Sorry. I just. Yeah, I liked more subtle novel or, you know, Emma Chamberlain obviously was one of the best dressed by far. She was like, incredible.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Did you know that was hand painted?
Ray
I did, I did. I actually watched the little YouTube video of her dress fitting and in that she actually said, I feel like I'm in a Van Gogh painting. Like, you could see that inspiration and that interpretation come through without it feeling so obvious. That's what I loved.
Joanna Fleming
And there was so much texture to it as well, which I think really played into that theme of art too.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Do you know what were two surprising fun facts for me? One was that Kendall Jenner was wearing Gap by Zac Posing.
Ray
I know.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
And Stevie Nicks, who I actually just felt chill. She's just the queen of my heart. She was wearing our first look at Zara by John Galliano.
Ray
Really?
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
That's my tidbit.
Ray
I love that. Let's talk about the beauty for a second, because the beauty always gets overlooked. A lot of bleached brows, which I did like. Kylie Jenner had the bleached brow. So, yes, her outfit maybe wouldn't have been the most. You know, you wouldn't describe it as the most spectacular. Obvious interpretation. Well, actually, Jo thinks it was the obvious interpretation of the theme. But I. I do love a bleach brow.
Joanna Fleming
Yeah. I didn't mind the bleach brow on her. I thought that was more. It was more exploratory than she normally goes with her glam. I think she's usually very safe with her glam. Loved Rihanna's glam. Loved the accessories in the hair, Loved the eyes. Loved the dramatic lash. She just looked phenomenal. Loved her beauty look. Loved Margot Robbie's beauty look. I thought she played it a bit too safe with the outfit.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I agree.
Joanna Fleming
Obviously, she's got contractual obligations with Chanel, so she's probably.
Ray
She's bound by the book, baby.
Joanna Fleming
Exactly. But her hair. Loved the way they did her hair. It was so classic.
Ray
I adored her hair. And do you know what? Her tan.
Joanna Fleming
I didn't even notice.
Ray
Her tan was really, really good. Sometimes you have a tan disaster on the Met Gala red carpet. Hers was perfect. And because she has really fair features and blonde hair, sometimes it can also be a really awkward contrast. She looked. She looked ethereal. But I agree with you, she played it safe.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Great segue into blonde hair. And as we know, I am. We are all brunette brigade members. But Kim Kardashian's blonde is the best blonde I've seen on her. I have not, to date, been a massive fan of Kim Ming blonde. I think her features and her look looks better brunette. I thought this blonde was a great blonde on me.
Joanna Fleming
So did I. I really liked it. Her look wasn't for me, but I actually really liked the glam, especially the blonde, because it just. It was almost like messy. It was a bit of, like a dirty. She normally does the bleach.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah. And then in contrast, I've really Enjoyed watching Hailey Bieber grow ever so slightly darker. And I am quite intrigued to see how Rhode make a moment of her being at the Met. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this is like a road look or this is. They've used this as a teaser for, like a new launch or something. Whether that be. She was like, quite pared back. She usually is quite. No makeup makeup kind of look. But I was like, is this like a prelude to like a bronzing stick or a skin tin or something? Because it was very like her skin, but better kind of thing, which is very much in the road DNA.
Ray
I also love her hair color at the moment. It looked beautiful with the gold earrings. I didn't love her look. I really loved her beauty. Who I think we need to spend five or so minutes talking about is Paloma Elcessa.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Five or so.
Ray
Oh, girl. I would dedicate a whole segment to her. She looked unreal.
Joanna Fleming
Bri and I were in slack with each other this morning as there were, you know, interviews going on and people were on the car. Both of us, like, oh, oh, her. I think I honestly, I'm gonna put her number one.
Ray
Me too.
Joanna Fleming
From the day. And the reason for that is she's part of the host committee, by the way, which we should flag. But her gown by Francesco Risso was made from. I think it was a hundred.
Ray
It was a hundred vintage dresses, all
Joanna Fleming
sourced from eBay, the 1920s, 30s and 40s, which I absolutely loved. I think that was such a big nod to fashion and how it evolves over the decades. But it also reflected, like, oil paintings and sculpture and it had texture and it had colour. It was just phenomenal. And I think her glam as well really suited that look too. She had, like, a glittery ear, which was quite unique as well.
Ray
She's just got cool girl vibes as well. She does, yeah. She posted on her stories, her Get Ready With Me Met gala playlist as well. I recommend having a look at that. It was very fun. I had a little bop to that when I was scrolling on Instagram this morning.
Joanna Fleming
Now, she did say that those gowns, the hundred dresses that that dress ended up being made from, all came from ebay. And ebay is a sponsor.
Ray
Oh, yeah, girl, you best believe I'm obsessed with someone who really honors that paid partnership.
Joanna Fleming
Yes.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Cash that check.
Joanna Fleming
Which I actually didn't put two and two together until I saw someone else and I can't remember for the life of me who it was on the carpet. Mention ebay as well. And I went, hang on a second. Yeah, there's two people mentioning ebay.
Ray
They've popped up quite a few times over the years.
Joanna Fleming
Yeah. And so then I was like, okay, that's got to be a partnership.
Ray
It was. Good job.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah. I'm intrigued to see the partnerships that do come out of this because there are always some. And as we mentioned, we're recording this in sort of the infancy of the day. But what you will find in sort of the 24, 48 hours that ensures is that a lot of celebrities and people attending will be in partnership with, say, a beauty brand. So the looks entirely by nars, or it's entirely by Westman Atelier or Giorgio Armani. They'll then, you know, have a shoe partner or it'll be launching a collection like. Like, wouldn't shock me if we're getting, you know, a Kendall Jenner Gap Collab at some point or something like that, where it sort of signals the leapfrog into the extension that we'll later see.
Ray
Little tidbit for you, if you'll let me have one.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
You may.
Ray
Did you say tidbit or tidbit? Tidbit. It's tidbit. Sorry, misquizzy. Tidbit. Here's a little tidbit for you.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Never too old to learn.
Ray
No, never. You know, I love learning. Okay.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Fun.
Ray
This year was the Nepo Baby coronation.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yes.
Ray
It was officially the rollout of Blue Ivy Sunday Rose. It is the handing over of the baton from their parents, their very, very famous parents, who were both on the board. So Beyonce and Nicole Kidman, which you set up top, Joe. I actually saw Sunday Rose walk first, and I went, hang on. Doesn't the Met Gala have an age limit?
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yes, it did.
Ray
Historically, you had to be 18 plus to attend the Met Gala, and Sunday Rose is 17.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Something tells me Blue is 14.
Ray
Yep. So they have vetoed that rule this year.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I think if you're sitting on the committee, no rules apply.
Ray
No rules apply. I think it's very strategic that these very successful celebrities are like, okay, here they are. They're ready. This is their time to shine. From here on out, we're going to be seeing a lot more of Sunday Rose in Blue Ivy.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Well, Sunday Rose, yeah, I feel like she's been doing some pretty major shows. She watched some Miu Miu. She was wearing Dior. She looked quite spectacular in that Dior, I must say. And, I mean, Nicole Kidman's your mum, so that's pretty cool. I mean, I know we were talking glam but like, Nicole Kidman, like, the hair. I'm, like, really into it. I just. I'm Nicole Kidman's biggest fan.
Ray
It's Nicole Kidman's year.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah.
Ray
And we're just in it.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
We're just orbiting and commenting.
Joanna Fleming
Can we mention Heidi Klim for a second?
Ray
Oh, my gosh.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Wow.
Joanna Fleming
Very much lean into her. She's very notorious for her Halloween costumes.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Yeah.
Joanna Fleming
And this year she rocked up to the Met Gala inspired by the Veiled Vestal 1800s sculpture.
Ray
But would you say inspired or would you say a replica? I would say exact replica, actually.
Joanna Fleming
There was no bare tit with her outfit. It was very much. She was fully in what I assume was latex. It would have had to have been some kind of, you know, adaptable material for her to be able to put it on her body. So I assume it was kind of, like, rubbery to touch. I was just trying to think about how that would feel to have on your body.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
She reminds me of one of those, like, small children that loved playing dress ups and then one day just went, I have the means to continue doing that.
Joanna Fleming
I actually love her for doing it as well. She's like, oh, you told me this was a dress up. Sweet. Noted. I'm here.
Ray
I'm ready to honour the theme.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I am always into the theater. Like, I think one of my favourite years and looks ever was Lady Gaga, who transformed into like six different looks on the carpet with all of the dancers that accompanied her on the year that she was the chair.
Joanna Fleming
Did she buy this year?
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
No, I did not see her on the carpet unless she arrived after Rihanna when the doors were closed. But it was Madonna who arrived with speakers playing her own music that I really did just tip my hat to and go, you know what, girl? If you're not voting for yourself, who's voting for you?
Joanna Fleming
I want to talk about the men for a second. Connor's story.
Ray
Sorry, before you get into it, he is so hot.
Joanna Fleming
Oh, the arms, the arms. We'll get to that. So he was in St. Laurent and he was wearing this high neck polka dot blouse that had, like a flowing necktie behind it. And he originally had, like a dinner jacket over the top. And then when he went onto the red carpet, he took the jacket off and the.
Ray
The.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I think we're all glad.
Ray
Yeah, the definition.
Joanna Fleming
I was gagged. But also, I absolutely loved that outfit because it felt a little bit more feminine. It was. It had brooches attached to it. It was really like, like beautiful to look at. And I just thought he wore it so well.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I think a lot of men played into, like, embellishment and sculptural and fitted or flow, and I like sparkle a lot. Yeah. Because sometimes we get the lazy. Like, they wear a tuxedo and chuck on a brooch.
Ray
Every year we get lazy from them. Yeah. This was not the year of lazy for them.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
No.
Ray
And it's all in the guest list, guys. We've got some fresh faces. That's why. And they're not afraid to, you know, push the boundaries.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Amazing. Asap. Rocky was pretty spectacular.
Ray
He's always great, though. He's the exception to the rule because
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I'm a fashion killer. Literally.
Ray
Famously. Rihanna was in that film clip as well. Was she? Yeah.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
I did not know that.
Joanna Fleming
Neither did I. I loved the little exchange between Amanda Sed and Cara Delevingne in their little interview. When Amanda arrived, they were talking about both being on acne medication, which I loved.
Ray
It's just so real.
Joanna Fleming
Such a. Yeah, it was such an offshoot. It was so unrelated to the event.
Ray
Did they drop the name or the. No, they didn't.
Joanna Fleming
I was, like, giving ad proactive. No, no, no.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
They didn't drop the Big farm as throwing around the checkbook alongside Amazon look.
Joanna Fleming
It's possible. In the US in general. What is our overarching view of how everyone showed up? Because I think there was some people that really did the theme exceptionally well, and it was creative and it was inspiring, and it was really great to see. And then there were celebrities like Charli xcx, who surprised me. I expected so much more from her, and I think she was really bound by this fashion house partnership that really just limited her creativity. I would have expected so much color, so much tech, texture, like, even, you know, additions to her, like wearing something on her head, like. I don't know. I expected so much more Olympics.
Ray
I think she's honestly been more creative on other red carpets or even on her own tour. I feel like we got a lot more from her, so. That's a really good point, Jo. We honestly always find ourselves in this scenario where a lot of celebrities are afraid to push the boundaries. And the people who do always get their flowers.
Joanna Fleming
Yeah.
Ray
Regardless if you love it or hate it, at least they tried. I think what happens is that middle mattress group always just seem to kind
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
of be a bit.
Ray
Eh. And a lot of the time, they are the same people who don't really want to get creative. They're there to just look really hot.
Joanna Fleming
And also, I think these partnerships with fashion houses is so Limiting, I think, for those that are dressed by Chanel, who was Sarah Pigeon dressed by.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Again, she was dressed by Louisville Loewe.
Ray
She looked beautiful. She looked beautiful.
Joanna Fleming
It was stunning. If she wore that to the Oscars, stunning. I would have been like, yes, best dressed. But for this particular event where there was a theme that she could have got much more creative with, I was
Ray
like, oh, there wasn't much of the Wanted more, but there also. There wasn't much of that costume element to it.
Joanna Fleming
No.
Ray
Which is what you're really looking for at the Met Gala.
Joanna Fleming
Yeah.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
But I do. It's funny. I feel like fresh faces go one of two ways. They are like, I am here and I am going to make a really loud statement. Or they're like, I'm here and I'm so grateful, and I just want to slip into the background and not offend anyone, not. Not be polarizing. You don't love it. You don't loathe it. I just sort of of sneak through the back door and I'm here.
Ray
But maybe it's not for everyone. Maybe they are a little bit like, I just want to play it safe.
Joanna Fleming
Yeah. They don't want all of the attention.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Well, I mean, another Met gala, Another birthday.
Ray
Happy birthday, guys.
Joanna Fleming
Happy birthday.
Ray
Should we sing?
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
No. I knew it was going to go there, and I was like, we got a little cake.
Ray
We can sing outside. Thank you, guys. Thank you for listening. Can't believe it's two years.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Can't believe it's two years. And I just think, like, collectively, we do work for Shameless Media, but maybe because we're not in the office all the time, sometimes it feels a little different for us.
Ray
Yeah, different.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
And I just want to say, like, it takes so many people to bring this omniverse together. The newsletters you read, the podcast episodes, you listen to, the Face to Face series that we have, the bespoke series, lest we forget the bridal series. I still love it even though I'm bridal, but I just think it takes so much. And so however you consume Stylish, whether you are listening first thing on a Wednesday or you are my best friend saying, listen, I'm six episodes behind, but I'm still with you. I just think, honestly, thank you so much for listening, but also thank you so much to the Shameless team who make all of this possible and who don't front up on the mic every week and you don't get to hear from them. But it's a little proud moment.
Ray
It's a little proud moment. I'm very, very, very grateful to be here with you guys. We won't do that to you guys.
Joanna Fleming
We'll see you next.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
See you on Friday, right? Oh, my God.
Ray
Friday.
Madison Sullivan Thorpe
We're back.
Ray
We'll see you on Friday and then, then we'll be back in your ears next Wednesday. Thanks, Kate, Emma Burke, for helping us research for this episode. That's it, guys. We'll see you Friday. This podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri land.
Joanna Fleming
Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
Ray
Exciting news, guys. Australian Fashion Week is back this May, and for the first time ever, Stylish is on board as an official media partner for 2026. From the 11th to the 15th of May, Sydney's MCA will come to life as the central hub. And it's shaping up to be a very, very special event. Led by the Australian Fashion Council, this new chapter is all about bringing industry and audiences together while spotlighting the incredible creativity coming out of Australia right now. From emerging talent to the designers we already love, we have a lot to be proud of. It's more than just shows. Its access, energy and affordable front row seat to where fashion is heading next. Trust me, guys, you are going to want to be in the room. Hit the link in our show notes to find out more and you can grab a ticket for a show or register for our very own Stylish panel event. We can't wait to see you there.
Episode: Met Gala or the Nepo Baby Coronation?
Host: Shameless Media
Date: May 5, 2026
This lively episode of Style-ish is devoted entirely to the 2026 Met Gala, unpacking the intersection of art, fashion, celebrity, and controversy at the year's most glamorous night. Madison Sullivan Thorpe, Ray, Joanna Fleming, and Rhiannon Joyce celebrate the podcast’s 2nd birthday while diving deep into the themes, guest list drama, standout looks, and what the state of the Met says about fashion culture today.
Timestamps: 00:58-11:04
John Summit & Rimowa Suitcase Saga:
Madison and the team discuss DJ John Summit's viral destruction of his luxury Rimowa suitcase, reflecting on how social media can rapidly shape (or tank) brand reputations.
Product & Person "Swaps":
Timestamps: 11:04–18:12
Why the Met Gala Exists:
Increasing Commercialization & Tech Industry Influence:
Ticket Price Hike:
Timestamps: 17:37–19:26
Timestamps: 20:18–36:53
Nepo Baby Coronation:
Bare-Chested/Sculptural Dresses:
Beauty Details:
Unexpected Collaborations & Brand Launches:
Men’s Fashion:
Heidi Klum’s Commitment:
Missed Opportunities & “Safe” Choices:
On what the Met Gala really is:
“It’s a performance and a celebration of an incredible industry… You can dwindle it down and make it sound small and vain, or you can acknowledge… it is a performance and a celebration.”
— Madison (12:42)
On the techification of the Met Gala:
“It feels less about the culture and the art and more about what this is as a moment to make and also to position Jeff Bezos’s business Amazon, front and center.”
— Ray (14:46)
On nepotism and generational handover in fashion:
“This year was the Nepo Baby coronation. It is the handing over of the baton…”
— Ray (29:36) “Something tells me Blue is 14… So they have vetoed that rule this year.”
— Madison (30:03)
On the boldness of Paloma Elsesser’s look:
“Her gown by Francesco Risso was made from… 100 vintage dresses, all sourced from eBay… reflected oil paintings and sculpture and had texture and color. It was just phenomenal.”
— Joanna (27:33)
On the beauty trends:
“I do love a bleach brow.”
— Ray (25:05) “Kim Kardashian’s blonde is the best blonde I’ve seen on her.”
— Madison (25:54)
Timestamps: 35:03–36:53
For listeners and fashion lovers, this episode provides both a high-level and deeply detailed review of the 2026 Met Gala and its place in culture — perfect if you missed the spectacle but crave the inside scoop and sharp commentary only Style-ish delivers.