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  • Writer: Marcos S. Rutherford
    Marcos S. Rutherford
  • Aug 12
  • 6 min read

Além do meu compromisso anual de entregar para vocês, leitores, uma curadoria dos itens mais legais que eu encontrei e acredito que vão fazer sucesso no ano regente, eu também tenho o costume de listar todas as coisas que me chamam a atenção e conversam diretamente com a minha personalidade individual, para fechar uma lista de desejos de aniversário e mandar para meus amigos e familiares.


Havia uns bons anos que eu não reforçava essa tradição e esse ano, aproveitando o espaço da New Mean 4u e todo esse processo de renovar a marca e trazê-la o mais próximo possível dos blogs que regiam a internet em meados de 2015/2016, resolvi fazer a famosa 'Birthday Wishlist' que, para quem veio dessa época da internet, deve conhecer muito bem como funciona. Abaixo listei 9 itens que eu gostaria de ganhar (pela primeira vez ou novamente) de aniversário e que são tão bons (ou pelo menos eu acho que são) que resolvi compartilhar com vocês.



Fashion & Beauty



Não é uma lista de desejos feita por mim se não tiver skincare asiática nem roupas de marcas brasileiras. Nos últimos dias fui surpreendido com a Havaianas em Tabi e, depois de ter provado a peça no meu corpo na loja de Ipanema no Rio de Janeiro, fiquei obecado nessa regatinha da Misci.


A Mondepars chamou a minha atenção demais com o desfile da nova coleção em Maio desse ano. Além da minha obsessão ainda não consumada pelo Trench Coat Naomi da marca, tinha criado também o desejo de pegar alguma peça da coleção mais recente e me apaixonei por essa camiseta simples mas que marca sua presença com uma estampa linda na parte de trás. Ela é confeccionada em malha leve, tem uma modelagem oversize e é inspirada na Dona Alda que foi o tema central do desfile desse ano.

Confesso que estou O-B-C-E-C-A-D-O pelas Tabis. Demorou, mas finalmente a tendência bateu em minha porta e eu, com certeza, abri. Felizmente estou vivendo na mesma era em que meu mundo fashionista irá colidir com meu lado summer boy e em janeiro de 2027, em pleno verão brasileiro, a Havaianas, em parceria com P. Andrade (marca brasileira de moda fundada por Pedro Andrade (fundador da Piet) e Paula Kim que foi a primeira marca nacional a desfilar no calendário oficial da Semana de Moda de Paris), vai lançar uma sandália com o "top cut".


Ainda não está disponível mas a obsessão bateu tão forte que já teve que entrar na wishlist de aniversário e, por isso, estarei aceitando presentes atrasados em janeiro!


No começo desse ano decidi, junto à minha dermatologista, que iria renovar minha linha de uso diário de skincare porque sentia que a rotina focada antiacne já não fazia sentido para mim e, honestamente, queria subir um pouquinho o nível de performance dos produtos nas categorias básicas (limpeza, hidratação e proteção). Com isso, renovei tudo exceto o limpador facial que, agora, estou decidido a testar o da Shiseido.


A Shiseido é uma marca que me cativa bastante justamente pela tecnologia e performance aparente de seus produtos e, por se tratar de uma categoria com valores mais expressivos, achei o fit perfeito em começar testando o produto mais básico da rotina que é o limpador facial e sinceramente, é perfeito. Óbvio, existem outras opções no mercado e estamos falando de uma categoria de produto com uma variedade absurda, mas se você estava na curiosidade para testar a dica aqui é clara: SÓ VAI.


Depois de algumas listas de Year Obsessions acho que já deu para perceber que eu sou apaixonado pela Misci, né?


O primeiro viral da marca rolou com o boné 'Mátria Brasil' mas a história, impacto e trajetória da marca vai muito, mas muuuuito além disso. Como eu disse na introdução desse tópico, tive a oportunidade de visitar a loja física da Misci em Ipanema e experimentar essa peça que, além de ser uma abordagem diferente de uma peça simples, ficou linda no corpo e combina super com o estilo de montagem de roupas que gosto de criar (basicamente o básico bem feito, com um bom acabamento, adicionando detalhes mais exuberantes tipo brilho ou amarrações).



Reset Cultural



Eu não estou sozinho na febre de anemoia, né? Pois bem, eu decidi abraçar de vez e adotar várias coisinhas na minha rotina porque simplesmente vi que faz sentido para mim e que eu gosto muito mais de algumas coisas da forma mais analógica possível –– tipo livros.


Iniciei minha jornada na literatura francesa a pouco tempo com Annie Ernaux e eu não poderia estar com mais sede do que estou agora para as minhas próximas leituras, entre elas, 'The Son of Man' que eu descobri no clube do livro da Dua Lipa –– que diga-se de passagem, eu sou absurdamente fã.


Sou bem chato MESMO com qualquer tipo de spoiler então tudo o que eu sei sobre o livro são o autor e a cor da capa da edição que eu quero (a do Fitzcarraldo). Quem já tiver passado pela experiência da leitura e quiser me contar nos comentários, estou aberto a opiniões SEM SPOILERS!!


Eu definitivamente sou o cara das fotos no rolê, principalmente as com estética analógica (aka Dazz Cam). Dito isso, estou adorando a experiência de usar a QuickSnap para ter a experiência analógica completa e as fotos ficam incríveis, além de alimentar muito bem meu sentimento de anemoia.


DISCOS DE VINIL

Esse não tem link para acessar porque fiz um grupinho de opções que me apetecem. Mas música em forma física hoje em dia é isso também, não é necessariamente inédita quando se compra um vinil ou CD, mas definitivamente é uma experiência completamente diferente. Dentre as coisas que ouço e dominam o meu Spotify e que me alimentam uma curiosidade de ouvir em vinil, escolhi: FOLKLORE - Taylor Swift

Sou aficionado no 'folklore' e em todo o universo acerca desse álbum. Tirando o 'evermore', que foi lançado logo em seguida, acho que essa é a maior obra prima que a Taylor já fez. O disco marca uma grande mudança para o estilo indie folk e folk alternativo, distanciando-se do som pop animado de seus trabalhos anteriores e trazendo composições mais ficcionais e narrativas.


RUMOURS - Fleetwood Mac

Eu fui a criança enxerida que assistia o que não devia e vi 'American Horror Story: Coven' antes da hora, lá em 2017 para 2018, mas isso me proporcionou a chance de conhecer toda a história de quem era Stevie Nicks e conhecer as músicas assinadas como Fleetwood Mac que, por coincidência, também era trilha sonora da novela das 9 da Globo no momento (O Sétimo Guardião). Toda a história da banda e do álbum eu fui conhecer depois, mas fiquei obcecado pelo disco e entendo perfeitamente o por quê de ser considerado uma obra prima do rock.


HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT'S GONNA LAST? - Big Red Machine

Admito que conheci esse álbum graças ao feat. com a Taylor Swift na faixa 'Renegade'. Mas que bom que o papel de uma colaboração foi bem executado e isso serviu para me introduzir a um dos meus discos favoritos de todos os tempos. O How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last é o segundo álbum de estúdio do Big Red Machine, um projeto musical que reúne ninguém mais, ninguém menos que Justin Vernon do Bon Iver (que está em 'exile' do 'folklore') e o Aaron Dessner do The National (produtor dos álbuns mais recentes da Taylor).



Bebidas



Sem máscaras por aqui: completar anos de vida na casa dos vinte anos também é o momento da vida em que você passa a agir como se estivesse em uma série de TV americana dos anos 2000 e quer provar drinks como cosmopolitan, dry martini, negroni, etc. Apesar da minha PÉSSIMA experiência com alguns dos drinks que citei acima, tem dois em específico que acho bem diferentes e valem muito a pena a degustação com moderação.


O licor de cacau da Dengo foi uma das coisas mais geniais e interessantes ao paladar que experimentei nos últimos meses. Além da bebida de altíssima qualidade, a marca preza por uma cadeia sustentável de produção e tem seus produtos feitos em território nacional –– o que pra mim também conta bastante no fim do dia.

O LUCIA é um aperitivo não alcoólico desenvolvido no Brasil. Ele é comporto de ingredientes botânicos encontrados nas raízes naturais e culturais do país. Além da curiosidade que a ideia de um drink que causa uma sensação de relaxamento sem álcool e da ideia do sabor que parece incrível, a embalagem é a coisa mais linda, chique e fina que eu já vi.



Espero que, caso experimentem os produtos dessa lista, eles sejam tão incríveis para vocês quanto foram pra mim e, se foi algum que eu não experimentei ainda, espero vocês para compartilhar a minha experiência.


Essa curadoria de itens também está disponível em um carrossel na nossa página oficial do Instagram, para você poder acessar de forma mais rápida e simplificada sempre que quiser.


Abraços e até a próxima!


A woman in a colorful gown poses in a lavish setting, surrounded by photographers. The dress features bold yellow, blue, and green hues.
Emma Chamberlain at the 2026 Met Gala in custom Mugler.

The Met Gala

Well, the magnificent 2026 Met Gala just happened, and I’m here to guide you through everything that went down that night. This year’s theme, Fashion is Art, ran in parallel with the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s newest exhibition, Costume Art. Because of that, the main directions we saw on the carpet leaned into historical references, fashion house archives, tributes to iconic moments, and the use of color and silhouette as ways of expressing the body itself.


Photographers line a grand stone staircase under hanging white flowers in a lavish, floral-themed setting. Bright lights illuminate the scene.
The 2026 Met Gala red carpet.

The Carpet

Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. The steps of the Metropolitan Museum once again became the stage for the Met Gala. Staying close to the theme, the setting itself felt like an extension of an artwork. The white carpet, layered with soft greens, blue florals, and painted details cascading from above, evoked something close to a Monet painting — almost like Japanese Bridge. It placed everyone inside a living canvas, where the focus wasn’t just the looks, but the atmosphere: light, texture, and movement, like water and spring translating into fashion.


Person on stone stairs in a flowing, multicolored gown. The dress cascades with vivid blues, greens, and yellows. Elegant setting.
Emma Chamberlain wearing a custom Mugler.

The Arrivals

The night doesn’t begin at the Met; it builds across Manhattan. Hotels like The Carlyle and The Mark turn into staging grounds, where the final details come together before everyone makes their way to the most photographed carpet in fashion.


Then, we’re off to the Met. The arrivals open with the latest Vogue correspondent (and clearly one of the best dressed of the night), Emma Chamberlain. She steps onto the carpet in custom Mugler couture, referencing La Chimère from the 1997 collection. The execution feels precise and intentional, with the oil-painted surface giving the look a sculptural presence, as if it moved straight from canvas to body.


A woman in sunglasses and a seafoam feathered outfit on a formal carpet, photographers in the background capturing the moment.
Anna Wintour at the 2026 Met Gala wearing Chanel.

Following her, the devil didn’t wear Prada. Anna Wintour (always on time) arrives in a custom Chanel by Matthieu Blazy. It’s exactly what you expect: controlled, familiar, precise, holding its place without trying to compete.


Two women stand out in a formal event; one in a red sequined dress with feathers, the other in a black gown with white detailing, surrounded by attendees.
Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams at the 2026 Met Gala red carpet.

Arriving alongside her, Nicole Kidman wears custom red Chanel, with her daughter Sunday Rose in Dior by her side. The pairing is clean: red and pink, classic and new, each one holding its own without overpowering the other. Then comes Venus Williams, the second of the three hosts in arrival order, dressed in Swarovski with her husband Andrea Preti. Her look leans into presence, a kind of polished drama, with subtle references to Breakfast at Tiffany’s, especially in the black dress and pearl details associated with Audrey Hepburn.


Three people in elegant, dramatic gowns on a beige carpet. Background is of lush greenery and photographers capturing the event.
Charli XCX, Yu-Chi Lyra Kuro and Sam Smith at the 2026 Met Gala.

Across the carpet, one thing becomes clear: Yves Saint Laurent is everywhere. Black dominates, not in a flat way, but as structure and silhouette. Beige and white follow, keeping everything within a restrained palette that still feels deliberate. Charli XCX stands out within that direction, wearing a look inspired by the Spring/Summer 1988 couture collection, referencing Van Gogh’s Irises.


The feelings about this night’s looks are mixed, I confess. We have two sides: one side is for the people who are ABSOLUTELY KILLING IT, like Yu-Chi Lyra Kuro dressed in Jean Paul Gaultier in tribute to the Winged Victory of Samothrace, one of the most famous statues in the world, and Sam Smith in Christian Cowan, referencing Dior’s 1998 couture by John Galliano — or the other side of more forgettable looks, like Bill Skarsgård in a plain black Thom Browne coat or the (i’m sorry) hideous Laura Bezos in an apparent “mother of the groom” fit by Schiaparelli (I’m dying I swear that was a slow death for me).


A person in a shiny black coat stands in a crowded, elegant event setting, surrounded by photographers and attendees.
Bill Skarsgård at the 2026 Met Gala wearing Thom Browne. (Reproduced: VOGUE Scandinavia)

Another standout moment of the night came when Janelle Monáe stepped onto the Met stairs. She wore custom Christian Siriano couture, and her approach immediately set her apart. While much of the carpet leaned into archives and historical references, Monáe shifted the focus forward. The look was built with precision, incorporating cables and motherboard elements that gave it a structured, almost engineered feel. It landed somewhere between fashion and technology, creating a sense of future nostalgia that felt intentional and distinct from the rest of the night.


One moment of the night that genuinely took my breath away was Sabrina Carpenter’s arrival. She stepped onto the carpet wearing a FULL dress constructed from the analog film of the movie Sabrina. Designed by Jonathan Anderson alongside the Dior team, the look didn’t try to be subtle, it was a literal translation of cinema into fashion, and that’s exactly why it worked. It felt sharp, self-aware, and completely in line with her current moment. And honestly? That’s what Sabrinawood would do: from Coachella to the Met stairs.


Two individuals in elaborate outfits pose on the red carpet. One wears a tech-inspired dress with green elements, the other in shimmering silver and jeweled headpiece. Photographers in the background.
Janelle Monáe wearing Christian Siriano. Sabrina Carpenter wearing Dior.
Three individuals in elaborate outfits at an event. One in a polka dot top, another in a dark gown with a hat, and the third in a blue suit with a cape.
Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams from the 'Heated Rivalry'. Stevie Nicks wearing Zara.

As for the first-timers at the Met Gala, I’m impressed. From the Heated Rivalry stars, Connor Storrie in Saint Laurent and Hudson Williams in Balenciaga, to the iconic rock star Stevie Nicks dressed by (gasp) Zara by (another gasp) John Galliano, to EJAE, fresh off an Oscar win for the hit song Golden. It was a lineup that mixed new faces with unexpected choices, but still held its place within the scale of the event.


Speaking of icons, this carpet was packed. From Stevie Nicks, as mentioned, to Cher, Katy Perry, Angela Bassett, The Rock, Bad Bunny, and the triumphant entrance of Madonna in a gothic look inspired by The Temptation of St. Anthony, Fragment II (1945) by Leonora Carrington, it felt dense, almost overwhelming in the best way. One of those years where you could keep naming people and still feel like you’re leaving someone out.


Group of women in flowing dresses hold a long, sheer gray veil. Central figure in black with tall headdress. Photographers in background.
Madonna in Saint Laurent. Inspired by The Temptation of St. Anthony by Leonora Carrington, designed by Anthony Vaccarello.

And finally, to close the night, the two people the Met Gala simply can’t exist without. First, the host of the evening, making her long-awaited return after 10 years: Beyoncé. She arrived in a dramatic gown structured like a skeleton, covered in diamonds and pearls, designed by her longtime collaborator Olivier Rousteing. It was direct, almost anatomical, taking the idea of “fashion as art” and placing it onto the body itself. The entire event paused for her. Cameras shifted, people stopped and screamed, everything reorganized around that moment: her, Blue Ivy, and Jay-Z. That’s power, that’s legacy, and that is Beyoncé.


Three people in glamorous silver and white outfits pose at a gala. Lush greenery and photographers in the background. Elegant atmosphere.
Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Blue Ivy at the 2026 Met Gala red carpet.

And last but not least, the biggest and most talented new mother arrived. Rihanna stepped onto the carpet in Maison Margiela Couture alongside her husband Asap Rocky. The look carried a strong sense of time — gold tones, aged textures, something between armor and artifact. It felt like a piece that had lived before arriving there. Riri looked calm, almost understated in her presence, but the reaction said everything: we missed Rihanna.


Woman in a bejeweled outfit with a gold, textured wrap at a gala. Photographers and onlookers in background, mood is glamorous.
Rihanna wearing Maison Margiela Couture.

And just like that, another Met Gala is over. A night full of references, risks, things that worked and things that didn’t. Some people leaned into the past, others tried to push things forward, and a few actually managed to do both.


At the end of the day, that’s what makes the Met what it is. Not everyone gets it right, and that’s kind of the point. The theme only really exists through how people choose to interpret it. Some play safe, some go all in, and some completely ignore it.


And then it’s done. The carpet is empty, the looks stay online, and we’re left talking about it until next year.


The 2026 Met Gala Best Dressed


Red-clad person on flower-lined blue stairs, surrounded by photographers. Crowd watches from both sides, creating a glamorous atmosphere.
Teyana Taylor at the 2025 Met Gala.

One of the most glamorous nights of the year is just around the corner, the 2026 Met Gala, and the world is already speechless. Whether you are a longtime fan of this iconic event or a first-time viewer trying to make sense of all the spectacle, you are in the right place. Let me walk you through everything you need to know.


The Met Gala, officially known as the Costume Institute Benefit and affectionately called the Met Ball is much more than a red carpet moment. It is one of the most exclusive and highly anticipated charity events in the world, bringing together the biggest names in fashion, film, music, art, and culture under one roof. Every dollar raised goes directly to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City, one of the most important fashion archives in existence. Behind the scenes, the event is co-organized and produced by Condé Nast, the media powerhouse behind iconic titles such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker.


But no conversation about the Met Gala is complete without mentioning the woman who makes it all happen: Anna Wintour. As the Global Editorial Director of Vogue and Chief Content Officer of Condé Nast, Anna is the creative and organizational force behind every single detail of the evening. From defining the year's theme and curating the guest list to selecting global partners, fashion houses, and establishing the dress code, her vision shapes the entire event from the ground up. On the night itself, her presence is felt everywhere, from press appearances and interviews to the exclusive dinner held inside the museum.


Now that you have the full picture, let us dive into everything about the 2026 Met Gala.


The Theme and Chairs


Mannequins in intricate outfits next to a statue and an open book in a museum setting. Text: "The 2026 Met Gala Dress Code, Fashion is Art".
'Fashion is Art' is the 2026 Met Gala theme. | Images from the 'Costume Art' exhibition.

The theme of the event is based on the theme of the exhibition of the Costume Institute on the Condé Nast’s newest galleries, which is “Costume Art”. In the words of Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute, it explores the relationship of fashion with the body though art, and then it get into parallel to the dress code of the night: Fashion is Art. The event’s looks will mostly be guided by the fashion houses and couture archives, such as Yves Saint Laurent, one of the biggest sponsors of the fundraiser.


As for the historic background of the theme, the curator’s exhibition addresses “the centrality of the dressed body in the museum’s vast collection,” by bringing together paintings, sculptures and other objects over 5,000 years of art represented in The Metropolitan, alongside historical garments from the Costume Institute.


What connects every curatorial department and what connects every single gallery in the museum is fashion, or the dressed body. It’s the common thread throughout the whole museum, which is really what the initial idea for the exhibition was, this epiphany: I know that we’ve often been seen as the stepchild, but, in fact, the dressed body is front and center in every gallery you come across. Even the nude is never naked. It’s always inscribed with cultural values and ideassaid Andrew Bolton to the press launch event.


Three women are depicted: one smiling in a black dress, another with long wavy hair in a dark jacket, and a third with a tennis racket, focused.
Nicole Kidman, Beyoncé and Venus Williams are some of the Chairs of the 2026 Met Gala.

As for the first celebrities confirmed, the Met Gala has their embassadors, as called, Chairs, that are the image and portrait of that year’s theme. For the 2026’s chairs, making her highly anticipated comeback to the Met Ball after 10 years, Beyoncé is the official host of the event, together with the Academy Award winning actress, Nicole Kidman, one of the most iconic tennists of all time, Venus Williams and the one who makes it all happen, Anna Wintour.


The Dinner Party


Three individuals in glamorous gowns on a floral backdrop. Blue sheer dress, red embroidered gown, and white floral ensemble with sunglasses.
Zendaya, Blake Lively and Rihanna at the red carpet of past Met Gala editions.

What happens at the Met, stays at the Met. After the final red carpet photos and the iconic climb up the museum’s steps, guests enter one of the evening’s most private and talked-about spaces: the charity dinner. With a strict no-camera policy in place, the night is designed to exist largely behind closed doors, preserving an atmosphere of exclusivity that has become part of the Met Gala’s mythology, even if a few celebrities occasionally break tradition with discreet snapshots from inside.


Once inside, every detail is carefully orchestrated, including the seating chart, personally overseen by Anna Wintour. Guests are strategically placed to create unexpected conversations and memorable table dynamics, often bringing together designers, models, actors, musicians, and cultural figures who might not otherwise cross paths. It is one of the few rooms in the world where a rising model could find themselves seated beside Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, or Zendaya. Beyond the fashion, the dinner becomes its own performance: a carefully curated social landscape where influence, image, and cultural power all share the same table.


And once dinner begins to settle, the evening traditionally builds toward one final reveal: The Musical Guest.


The Musical Guest


Three women in elegant attire: left in a black gown with a crown, center in a sheer dress, right in a white dress waving. Glamorous setting.
Madonna, Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa at the Met Gala event.

Over the years, the Met Gala has consistently featured musical guests whose presence reflects both the event’s prestige and the cultural landscape surrounding it. From Debbie Harry, whose legacy is rooted in punk, glamour, and reinvention, to Ariana Grande’s generation-defining pop presence, to Madonna’s lasting relationship with fashion, controversy, and performance, each artist marks a different era in the evolving relationship between music and public culture.


These performances are taking us into the larger structure of the night, extending its influence beyond fashion alone. The chosen artist often reinforces the event’s tone, theme, or broader cultural significance, adding sound to an evening already built on visual spectacle. In this way, music becomes part of the Met Gala’s identity, connecting couture, celebrity, and performance into a single moment that continues to shape how the event is remembered across generations.


Stately facade of a museum with grand columns and wide steps. A red banner displays "THE MET" above the entrance, conveying elegance.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Are you ready to the 2026’s Met Gala? I’m thrilled for that and will be waiting for you for my analysis of the upcoming event!

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