Met Gala 2021 outfits that made a bold political statement—Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cara Delevigne and more

Met Gala 2021 outfits that made political statements were all the rage this year as many celebrities used their moment in the spotlight to pull focus to serious issues.

The Met Gala 2021 featured a number of dazzling looks, from Kim Kardashian's Met Gala look that split opinions to Frank Ocean's bizarre plastic baby doll accessory, there were certainly a lot of startling fashion looks. 

But some celebrities and political figures used their red carpet appearance to make a bold political statement, giving a voice to some very important causes.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Met Gala outfit

United States Representative of New York's 14th District, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, wore a white dress with a bold message that said 'tax the rich' painted in red on the back.

She took to Instagram to explain her thoughts behind her outfit for the Met Gala 2021. "The medium is the message. Proud to work with @aurorajames as a sustainably focused, Black woman immigrant designer who went from starting her dream @brothervellies at a flea market in Brooklyn to winning the @cfda against all odds—and then work together to kick open the doors at the Met." 

"The time is now for childcare, healthcare, and climate action for all. Tax the Rich," she said.

Alexandria also explained that she attended the event because of her title as a New York City elected official.

"And yes, BEFORE anybody starts wilding out—NYC elected officials are regularly invited to and attend the Met due to our responsibilities in overseeing our city’s cultural institutions that serve the public. I was one of several in attendance. Dress is borrowed via @brothervellies 🤗," she said. 

Cara Delevingne's Met Gala outfit

Cara Delevingne wore a pair of straight-leg white trousers with platform heel sandals along with a structured that made a bold statement.

Her all-white outfit featured the anti-patriarchal message, "Peg The Patriarchy' in bold letters—an outfit created by Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri.

When speaking to Vogue's correspondent Keke Palmer at the event, Cara explained the message behind her outfit, “If someone doesn’t know what this means, you’re gonna have to look it up," she said. 

She added, “It’s about women empowerment, gender equality—it’s a bit like, ‘Stick it to the man.'” 

More Met Gala 2021 outfits that made a political statement

Billie Eilish also made a statement in her Oscar de la Renta Marilyn Monroe-themed look. It was revealed that as a vegan and animal rights activist, Billie only agreed to work with Oscar de la Renta if the brand promised to stop using fur in their products.

Although the brand no longer uses fur for their runway looks, they continue to use fur on their products available in stores.

Alex Bolen, Oscar de la Renta's chief executive revealed to The New York Times that he wanted to keep fur in the brand's designs as it had been a favorite of the late Oscar de la Renta himself, but ultimately he decided that the brand needed to move with the times.

“I thought a lot about what Oscar said—he was a big fan of fur, by the way—that the one thing he really worried about in the fashion business was his eye getting old,” said the Chief Executive as he decided to listen to the new generation, “I have to surround myself with people with different points of view,” he concluded.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) wore a women’s rights-themed outfit with a matching green purse with a slogan referencing the Equal Rights Amendment. Her handbag simply read, 'ERA YES'  in bold letters embroidered on the front.

Her look featured the statement 'Equal rights for women' and also had the suffragette colors: purple, white, and green.

On Twitter, Carolyn spoke about her look saying, "Across the country, women’s rights are under attack. I have long used fashion as a force 4 change."

"As the Met Costume Institute reopens w/ their inaugural exhibit celebrating American designers, I am calling 4 the certification of the ERA so women can be equal once and for all."