The Full Story Behind Lizzo’s Controversial ‘Vase Dress’ At The 2024 Met Gala: A Deep Dive Into The Weinsanto Look And Her Iconic Clapback

The 2024 Met Gala red carpet, held on Monday, May 6, 2024, was a night of high fashion, celebrity spectacle, and, for Lizzo, a moment that sparked immediate and intense debate across social media and fashion circles. The "Truth Hurts" singer, known for her unapologetic style and body-positive messaging, arrived at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a sculptural, nature-inspired gown that perfectly embodied the evening's "The Garden of Time" dress code, yet became one of the most polarizing looks of the night. This appearance was particularly significant as it came just one month after the artist publicly announced she was quitting "negative energy," making her fashion statement a powerful return to the spotlight. Lizzo's choice to wear a Paris-based label, Weinsanto, for the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" theme, was a bold move that showcased her dedication to supporting emerging, avant-garde design talent. The resulting look—a "sculptural botanical" creation—was met with mixed reviews, leading the artist to deliver a signature, fiery clapback at her critics, solidifying her place as a figure who constantly challenges fashion norms and body standards. This article dives deep into the details of the Weinsanto dress, the controversy it ignited, and how it compares to her previous iconic Met Gala appearances.

Lizzo: Biography, Profile, and The Power of Self-Love

Melissa Viviane Jefferson, known professionally as Lizzo, is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, actress, and flutist whose career is defined by her powerful messages of positivity, self-love, and empowerment.

• Full Name: Melissa Viviane Jefferson
• Born: April 27, 1988
• Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
• Key Occupations: Singer, Rapper, Songwriter, Flutist, Actress
• Musical Genres: Hip hop, R&B, Funk, Pop
• Breakthrough Hits: "Truth Hurts," "Good as Hell," "About Damn Time"
• Signature Style: Bold, colorful, and unapologetic fashion that promotes body confidence and challenges traditional beauty standards.
• Notable Instrument: Sasha Flute (her crystal flute)

Lizzo spent much of her formative years in Houston, Texas, where she began her musical journey, eventually rising to global stardom with her infectious music and magnetic personality. Her public persona is inextricably linked to her advocacy for body positivity, making her red carpet appearances, especially at high-profile events like the Met Gala, highly anticipated and often symbolic.

The ‘Vase Dress’ Unveiled: Decoding Lizzo’s Weinsanto 2024 Look

The 2024 Met Gala dress code, "The Garden of Time," was a direct reference to the J.G. Ballard short story, inviting attendees to explore themes of decay, beauty, and the passage of time through fashion. Lizzo’s choice of a custom look from the French label Weinsanto, designed by Victor Weinsanto, was a literal and abstract interpretation of this theme. The gown was immediately dubbed the "Vase Dress" by the designer himself and fashion commentators, thanks to its sculpted, columnar silhouette and intricate, organic detailing.

Key Details of the Sculptural Botanical Look:

• Designer: Victor Weinsanto for Weinsanto (Paris-based label).
• Concept: A "sculptural botanical look" that evoked a blooming, living structure, or a piece of preserved art.
• The Dress: The fabric, which some critics noted was close to her skin tone, featured a sheer effect with strategic, hand-applied textures that resembled roots, vines, or the delicate structure of a tree trunk.
• The Headpiece: A dramatic, architectural corset headpiece completed the look, framing her face and adding to the overall "reawakening" and sculptural theme.
• Jewelry: Lizzo accessorized the look with striking pieces from Anabela Chan Jewelry.

The original Weinsanto "Vase Dress" design was reportedly intended to fully cover the face, adding an element of historical or preserved 'sleeping beauty' to the ensemble. Lizzo's final look, while exposing her face, maintained the avant-garde, almost theatrical spirit of the original concept, making it a true conversation starter among the red carpet arrivals. The look was a powerful fashion statement, emphasizing that beauty can be found in unconventional, decaying, or abstract forms, perfectly aligning with the "Sleeping Beauties" exhibition.

The Controversy and Lizzo’s Unforgettable Clapback

Despite its artistic merit and adherence to the theme, Lizzo’s 2024 Met Gala outfit generated significant backlash online. Critics were quick to label the dress as unflattering, comparing it unfavorably to other celebrity looks of the evening. The singer, who has a history of addressing public scrutiny directly and powerfully, did not let the negative commentary slide. She took to social media, specifically Instagram, to deliver a sharp, humorous, and pointed response to the criticism. In her now-viral comment, Lizzo jokingly challenged her detractors, stating: "IF IM NOT IN UR BEST DRESSED UR FATPHOBIC." This statement immediately reframed the conversation. By injecting the term "fatphobic" into the discussion, Lizzo suggested that much of the criticism directed at her fashion choices is not merely about aesthetics but is rooted in bias against her body type. This move is a classic example of Lizzo using a high-profile platform to turn a fashion critique into a body-positive and social commentary moment. While some critics simply called the design "ugly as hell" and a "disaster," Lizzo's response ensured that the discussion surrounding the Weinsanto gown would be about more than just fabric and silhouette; it became a commentary on the societal gaze and celebrity scrutiny.

Lizzo’s Met Gala Style Evolution: From Camp to Gilded Glamour

The 2024 Met Gala marks Lizzo’s fourth appearance at the prestigious event, and each look has been a defining moment in her style evolution, showcasing her versatility and commitment to thematic dressing. Tracing her history at the Met is essential for understanding her topical authority in high fashion.

2019: Camp: Notes on Fashion

Lizzo's debut at the Met Gala was for the highly theatrical "Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme. She arrived in a whimsical, light pink polka dot wrap dress that featured a dramatic thigh-high slit and was accented by a large, dark pink rose detail. This playful, over-the-top look perfectly captured the theme's spirit of irony and theatricality, establishing her as a fashion risk-taker.

2022: Gilded Glamour and the Flute Moment

For the "Gilded Glamour" theme, Lizzo embraced opulence and extravagance. She wore a stunning black Thom Browne gown that was meticulously detailed with gold, hand-embroidery across the entire cape. The look was regal and sophisticated, but the moment that truly went viral was her playing her famous Sasha Flute on the red carpet, a signature move that blends her musical talent with high fashion.

2023: Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty

In a tribute to the legendary designer, Lizzo attended the 2023 Met Gala in a custom Chanel ensemble. Her look was a direct homage, inspired by a 1990s-era Chanel dress, showcasing the timeless elegance and structured aesthetic that defined Karl Lagerfeld's legacy. This appearance demonstrated her ability to move from theatrical camp to classic, high-fashion tribute. Lizzo’s 2024 Weinsanto "Vase Dress" continues this tradition of making a statement. Whether celebrated or criticized, her Met Gala choices are always memorable, deeply thematic, and, most importantly, authentically Lizzo. Her blend of fashion, performance, and social commentary ensures that she remains one of the most talked-about celebrities on the red carpet.