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Congresswoman, Alexandria Cortez (AOC) made quite the impression at the Met Gala 2021.Â
The U.S rep showed up at the 2021 Met Gala in a dress that was quite hard to ignore- a white gown with ‘Tax the Rich’ written in bright red at the back. The outfit was accessorized by red laced heels and a bag reading ‘tax the rich’ as well. The entire outfit from shoes to gown was courtesy of Brother Vellies.
The move was faced with mixed reactions.
While some saw it as a bold move which crossed boundaries in the best way possible, even going on to praise the choice of Brother Vellies(a brand which endorses black owned businesses and sustainable fashion)…
others weren’t so pleased.
The Met Gala is an event loaded with money, the attendees are all people with insane net worths, and the ticket alone costs a whopping $35000 per head. People believed that AOC wearing the controversial dress at an event where she only fraternized with the rich and paid $35000 was pure hypocrisy.
They classified the whole ordeal to be a futile attempt at trying to justify her presence at an event that didn’t exactly align with her political persona.
Unfortunately for AOC, the controversies did not end at the dress.
Attending the Met Gala is an affair extremely harsh on the wallet.
The famously expensive ticket price, the cost of outfit, styling, hotel, transport, security, everything sums up to a ridiculously high amount, and reports said AOC didn’t exactly pay them off.
The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) accused AOC of accepting gifts that aren’t legally allowed. All the required commodities for the event, from ticket to styling are said to have been paid for on AOC’s behalf by other vendors- label Brother Velaise and publisher Conde Nast among a few. The worth of all items she is alleged to have accepted for free crosses $5000 which is beyond the Federal law set limit for gifts allowed for lawmakers.
AOC is being investigated in this matter. The associated parties Conde Nast and Brother Velaise were also reached out to by the officials.
The representatives for the congresswoman argued that the matter did not involve any accepting of gifts since that goes against AOC’ personal moral code as well. There were just delays in paying the vendors, which have been reimbursed and paid back completely as of now. Even those delays are regretted and she promises not to ever repeat such a thing again.
AOC’s case is similar to the case of former congresswoman, Rep. Carolyn Malony, who failed to get re-elected 2024. In 2016, she had the same accusation imposed on her for having taken impermissible gifts at 2016 Met Gala, following this she was never invited back to the renowned gathering. However her case never came to a clear conclusion and no proper consequences were imposed upon her.
The public fears that the same lousy approach at investigation will be adopted with AOC as well and she’ll be allowed to just get away with loss of thousands of dollars owing to her political influence. We cannot ignore that there is still a chance, she may be saying the truth, and the Met accessories were all rightfully bought items, not gifts.
image credits: Vogue, Fashionista, Amazon,
