Billie Eilish's upcycled Met Gala look was inspired by a John Singer Sargent painting

Billie Eilish certainly knows how to make a statement on the red carpet, and her look for the 2022 Met Gala was no different.

But aside from its show-stopping glamour, Eilish’s appearance had a hidden element that well and truly paid homage to this year’s Met Gala theme of Gilded Glamour.

The American singer-songwriter's look was inspired by the John Singer Sargent portrait of Madame Paul Poirson, painted in 1885 — the height of New York’s Gilded Age.

Sargent made a name for himself as a fashionable society portraitist, gaining international acclaim for his canvas oil paintings. He is known as one of the leading portrait artists of the Edwardian era.

Who was Madame Paul Poirson?

In 1883, Sargent rented a studio owned by Paul Poirson. According to Poirson family history, Sargent offered to paint Poirson’s wife in lieu of rent payments for the studio space.

Madame Poirson was a friend of Sargent’s, making the work one of his more personal.

In the portrait, she is stood in three-quarter view, with her head turned slightly with a direct gaze, against an ice-blue background.

Billie Eilish’s inspiration

Eilish clearly took her Met Gala inspiration directly from the Gilded Age portrait, with everything from her hair to her accessories emulating the glamour of Madame Poirson.

Her raven locks were tied back into a bun, as Madame Poirson’s were in the portrait. While her black choker and corsage were an almost-identical match.

Eilish’s custom Gucci gown also took the same style as Madame Poirson’s, with a structured bodice leading into a flowing train.

The Bad Guy singer’s look was given a grungy twist thanks to added green-lace sleeves and layered silver-chain necklaces.

Eco-friendly fashion

And not only did Eilish recycle Madame Poirson’s look, but the outfit was also entirely upcycled.

“I just wanted to be as eco-friendly as possible,” Eilish told Vogue from the red carpet.

She paired her upcycled gown with vegan beige platform shoes.

Eilish’s Monroe moment

Billie Eilish's Marilyn Monroe moment at the 2021 Met Gala. EPA

While everyone may be talking about Kim Kardashian’s Marilyn Monroe moment from this year’s Met Gala, she is not the first to be inspired by the star.

For last year’s event, when she made her Met Gala debut, Eilish looked to the past for inspiration and stunned with a look influenced by Monroe, channelling old Hollywood glamour in a peach Oscar de la Renta gown and short, platinum-blonde hair.

Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.

The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?

My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.

The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.

So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.

IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.

While you're here

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