AOC: Statement-making Met Gala dress causes uproar on the internet

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez not only happens to be the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress, but she is quite possibly the most stylish politician out there at the moment.

A dress with a message

Last night's Met Gala 2021 edition saw the 31-year-old congresswoman in a custom Aurora James off the shoulder dress with the phrase 'Tax the Rich' that shook the otherwise apolitical fashion event. In a post on Instagram by James, the Canadian designer explains how fashion and politics go hand in hand:

Fashion at its best is a tool to express ourselves, share our cultural identities and challenge ideas and norms. With access comes great opportunity. We must always continue to push ourselves, push our colleagues, push the culture and push this Country forward. Even when it’s uncomfortable. Fashion is changing.

However, not everyone was impressed by the message AOC was trying to convey. Critics, took to Twitter to call out Ocasio-Cortez on the basis of the hypocrisy of attending a fashion event designed for society's elite—with each ticket to attend the Gala costing $30,000. Member of the Republican Party, Ted Cruz, posted the following on Twitter:

AOC fires back

But in true AOC fashion, the activist clapped back by explaining that as a New York elected official, attendance of cultural events are part and parcel of her responsibilities. In a post on Instagram, she explains that the message of the dress encapsulates the need for urgent change in key spheres of the US political landscape and to do so, they must start by taxing the rich. She said:

The time is now for childcare, healthcare, and climate action for all. Tax the Rich.

And yes, BEFORE anybody starts wilding out—NYC elected officials are regularly invited to and attend the Met due to our responsibilities in overseeing our city’s cultural institutions that serve the public. I was one of several in attendance.