So much has been cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but learning that the annual Met Gala hosted by Vogue and Anna Wintour wouldn’t go as planned? Considering we live for the red carpet lewks, that was a tough blow to take.
But then there was a bright spot: an announcement from Billy Porter that the (fashion) show must go on...virtually. He challenged couture lovers near and far to dig into their closet and recreate an iconic look from years’ past using, well, whatever they have at home. Mindy Kaling’s response? Game on.
The Never Have I Ever creator took to Instagram—as the directions stated—and posted a photo of her ensemble tied to the event hashtag, #MetGalaChallenge.
Her red carpet redo of choice was none other than Jared Leto’s 2019 outfit, dreamed up by designer Alessandro Michele for Gucci. You know, that time he accessorized with a severed head made to look like his own?
To pull off her version of the look, Kaling got resourceful, using a red tarp, some Christmas lights and packing tape. No word on where she got the mannequin-head-turned-accessory, but her attention-to-detail—from the penciled-on goatee to near replica Leto power pose—is perfect.
Bottom line: Kaling won the virtual Met Gala. (But, also, could this work as an IRL theme for next year?)