The Met Gala, an event that showcases the creativity of influential stylists and designers on the bodies of notable celebrities and influencers. This year’s Met Gala was a bit smaller, due to Covid, but the hype and social media buzz around the luxury event did not fade.  

Famous people stepped across the red carpet as cameras flashed in every direction. Many wore bright and flashy statement pieces, as others seemed to have gotten the basic suit and tie memo. This year’s theme was, “American Independence”. The interpretations of this theme really seemed to vary from person to person, as the perspective of American independence does as well.

One that particularly stood out was Democrat and Congresswoman, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez’s gown. The dress was white, with a fitted body, and a fluffy trim on the bottom. The true attention getter of the dress was the back. In almost blood-like red writing, were the words, “Tax The Rich”. AOC showed off the back of the dress, as photographers captured its message.

The designer of AOC’s dress was a Ghanaian-Canadian designer, Aurora James, who also went as a plus one to Ocasio-Cortez that night. She is the founder of the shoe and accessory line, Brother Vellies. She also is the founder of the 15 Percent Pledge, a pledge that calls on major retailers to commit a minimum of 15% of their shelf to Black-owned businesses.

Ocasio-Cortez and James’ relationship actually dates back to when AOC used to work a bartending job. “When she was bartending, she was following my work,” James said in her interview with CNN.

She had began her fashion design journey at a flea market in Brooklyn, and Ocasio-Cortez was a huge fan of her work as a fellow working class person of color,  “Being a working class girl and immigrant here in New York, launching a clothing brand, it’s very unheard of to make it in the upper echelons of luxury fashion.” said James. 

As history has proven, wherever political statements go, controversy and discourse are sure to follow. At first glance, the  gown’s statement toward the rich may seem quite ironic, as admittance to the Met Gala alone costs $30,000. AOC was sure to crush any rumors that she had paid to get in, through her Instagram post, the caption read, “And yes, BEFORE anyone starts wilding out – NYC elected officials are regularly invited to attend the cultural institution we serve the public. I was one of the several in attendance.” 

Some had speculated on AOC’s intentions in showcasing this gown at the Met Gala.  Jerry Dunleavy, reporter for the Washington Examiner, wrote a tweet on September 14 that read, “AOC wanted to hang out with a bunch of celebs at a cool party without losing her socialist street cred, she tossed “Tax the Rich” on the back of her dress and called it a day. It’s not much more complicated than that.” 

For all that we know, this could have been AOC and James’ exact point. The point was to challenge a system that would affect them, as well as a call to hold themselves and others accountable. Ocasio-Cortez is well known for making it clear where she stands on political issues, and the irony of making this statement at an event like the Met Gala, was not by accident.

Through all of the noise surrounding James’ design, and the message that came with it, AOC continued to take a strong stance on her decision to showcase it at the Met Gala this year. She made this clear through the caption of an Instagram photo that she posted in defense of Aurora James’ gown and statement, “The time is now for childcare, healthcare, and climate action for all. Tax the Rich.”