Clothes don’t grow on trees, or do they? This year’s Met Gala was held in New York at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13th. The fashion saw many improvements in sustainability from previous years.

“I first was skeptical to what the theme would actually entail,” senior Ben Whitlock said. “I was pleasantly surprised with how people interpreted it.”       

Many celebrities went out of their way to make a statement to their chosen cause through their outfits. Using the theme American Independence, big names such as Billie Eilish, Jennifer Lopez, Tessa Thompson, Dan Levy, and others took the sustainability of their outfits into their own hands.

“I find it shocking that wearing fur isn’t completely outlawed at this point in 2021,” musician Billie Eilish posted on Instagram about the dress. “I’m honored to have been a catalyst and to have been heard on this matter.”

Eilish made statements about the event and her opinions on the importance of sustainability. The singer is openly vegan and often advocates for zero waste and cruelty-free alternatives through her platform. The dress that Eilish wore was designed by Oscar de la Renta and she agreed to wear it only if the designer went fur free with all their future productions. The dress is also vegan and silk-free.

Other stars made similar advances to sustainability with Lopez wearing a faux-fur dress and Natalia Bryant sporting a dress of recycled plastic. Many people saw this as an improvement from previous years.

“I very much appreciate sustainable fashion,”  Whitlock said. “I think any time someone tries to be sustainable in their fashion it’s admirable.”