economy
The devil owns Amazon: big tech has infiltrated the fashion world
Anna Wintour has welcomed the Bezoses – and their patronage – with open arms. But after a controversial Met Gala, industry insiders are less enthusiastic
TL;DR
- The Met Gala's 2024 sponsorship by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos drew protests from groups highlighting Amazon workers' conditions and wealth inequality.
- Fashion insiders, including former Vogue editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, boycotted the event and criticized the industry's embrace of controversial billionaires.
- A fictionalized plot in 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' echoed real-world rumors about tech barons seeking to control fashion magazines.
- The Met Gala raises funds for the Costume Institute, but its reliance on wealthy patrons like the Bezoses is questioned amid growing criticism.
- Tech billionaires are seeking cultural cachet in fashion, while luxury brands face financial difficulties, leading to an increasing partnership.
- Despite the backlash, industry figures like Condé Nast's CEO see controversy as beneficial for the event's intrigue.
- The Costume Institute aims to become financially independent from the Met Gala by 2028-2030, acknowledging the event's potential unsustainability.
- There's concern that the fashion industry, and the Met Gala, may become further dominated by tech oligarchs, potentially alienating creatives.