Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known as AOC attended New York's Met Gala for the rich and famous with a bold political statement. Emblazoned with in blood red text, her white dress screamed: "Tax the Rich".
In a glitzy event where a ticket costs $35,000 (P1.7 million) and outfits attendees wear, more often than not, cost more, New York's democratic socialist representative advocated for the country's working class for all billionaire attendees and the world to see.
"We really started having a conversation about what it means to be a working class women of color at the Met," the congresswoman told reporters on the red carpet.
"And we said we can't just play along, but we need to break the fourth wall and challenge some of the institutions," she added.
On Instagram, Ocasio-Cortez explained her call further: "The time is now for childcare, healthcare, and climate action for all. Tax the Rich."
"The medium is the message", the congresswoman said at the start of her caption, pointing out how apart from her gown's explicit statement, the dress itself is sustainably made by a Black woman immigrant designer Aurora James whom she brought with her at the gala.
While many commended AOC's bold statement, it was also seen as "hypocritical" by some.
Vanessa Friedman, a fashion critic for New York Times, called it a "complicated proposition".
Explaining her attendance, Ocasio-Cortez said she went to the opulent event in fulfillment of her duties as an elected New York Official.
"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," she said.
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