Is this the most bizarre event EVER? London’s take on Met Gala divides fashionistas… with critics baffled over all-star party’s ‘randomness’ while others laud ‘love letter to theatre’

The great and good from the fashion world came to London on Thursday evening for the Vogue World bash – under the name Met Gala in Great Britain.

And while the annual New York event is hailed as the most important on the fashion calendar, the London version didn’t seem to achieve the same goal as talent was showcased at the Theater Royal Drury Lane.

Newspaper critics were divided in their reviews of the event, which serves as a fundraiser for the British performing arts industry, with the magazine’s editor-in-chief Anna overseeing and Vogue editor Edward Enninful was also present.

The Telegraph gave the event a paltry two stars, commenting on the “random” nature of the events and labeling the event as “a fever dream of a procession.”

Elsewhere though The Evening Standard gushed about Anna’s star power, writing, “It doesn’t look like Wintour (who kept her sunglasses on throughout the show) will be loosening her grip on fashion at any point.”

The evening saw a host of performances showcasing the best of British talent, including a song from Stormzy, a sketch from Sienna Miller, Damien Lewis, James Cordon, Cush Jumbo and James McAvoy and an incredible finale.

The show was completed by original supermodels Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell storming the catwalk.

Kate Moss, 49, who was not seen at the event or after-parties but was seen arriving, was pictured on a screen doing an interpretive dance before Cara Delevingne appeared in the crowd, dressed as a punk with a bizarre twist.

Victoria Moss of The Evening Standard wrote: ‘Lady characters, supermodels – Karen Elson! Irina Shayk! Kendall Jenner! Emily Ratajowski! flowing out, and then the finale, Naomi, Christy, Cindy and Linda!…

‘A standing ovation for the cover women and Vogue’s view of the West End. It doesn’t look like Wintour (who kept her sunglasses on throughout the show) will loosen her grip on fashion anytime soon.

Jess Cartner-Morley of The Guardian wrote: ‘This air of old-world elegance was a notable departure from the gritty atmosphere that defined London Fashion Week, known for its drafty car parks and stumpy models…

‘The evening was a love letter to theater and performance, to supermodels and glamor – and perhaps the dawn of a new era of elegance in London fashion.’

The Telegraph’s Anita Singh, meanwhile, was less flattering, writing: ‘The sheer randomness of the evening is becoming increasingly apparent…

“Rather than the 2012 Opening Ceremony, this was like the Platinum Jubilee pageant, a fever dream of a procession in which Prue Leith, Patsy Kensit and Basil Brush rode around the Mall in an assortment of vehicles.”

Aside from the press’s take on events, viewers watching via YouTube’s livestream took to social media to admit they were left stunned by the “bizarre” show, which was billed as a “multi-act celebration of the British Performing Arts’.

Despite the star-studded line-up, fans were quick to react to the bizarre show, taking to social media to share their confusion over Kate and Cara’s quirky dances.

One wrote: ‘Not sure what Cara does but I love listening to FKA Twigs… Fka Twigs and Cara Delevingne kissing in Vogue World. Well, that wasn’t on my 2023 bingo card.’

Anna and Edward put on a united performance as they walked the red carpet together following reports of a power struggle between the two.

The first Vogue World event featured a fashion show and street fair when it took place in New York’s meatpacking district in 2021, but the London ceremony is expected to be a grander affair.

The dress code on Thursday was Opening Night, with the invitation revealing a West End stage decorated with blood-red velvet curtains.

Led by BAFTA and Olivier-winning director Stephen Daldry, show director Emily Burns and creative producer Fran Miller, together with the Vogue team, the evening will feature a wide range of performing arts.

Guests watched opera, ballet and theater at the event, which takes place at the start of London Fashion Week and unveils and showcases talent.

Contributing designers for the guests and artists include 16Arlington, Ahluwalia, Burberry, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, Erdem, Maison Margiela and SS Daley, among many other fashion giants.

Anna and Edward gave a united performance after reports of a power struggle.

The Mail On Sunday reported that Edward had hoped to one day replace Wintour, but Vogue’s editor-in-chief is determined to stay there and ‘swat away all rivals like a fly’.

The bash comes just three months after the shock announcement that the British-Ghanaian former model and fashion stylist will step down as editor-in-chief of British Vogue after six years at the helm.

When he leaves in early 2024, Edward will take up a “global consultancy role” at Vogue, “with the freedom to take on broader creative projects.”

Across the pond, Chanel and W Magazine teamed up for a dinner in New York, attended by Lily Allen, her husband David Harbor and Mark Ronson.

The clash of events left some stars absent from the London bash.