Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Progressive Democratic Congresswoman, used the Met Gala, one of the buzziest events in the New York calendar — to make a political statement by wearing a dress with the message splashed across the back: TAX THE RICH. The gown was designed by Aurora James, Founder of New York shoe and handbag line Brother Vellies and the Fifteen Percent Pledge, which ask retailers to dedicate 15% of their shelves to products made by black-owned businesses.
The annual event at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is the haunt of designers, celebrities, billionaires and various other members of the jet-set that are willing to pay $35,000 a pop for the privilege to attend. According to Daniel Weiss, the Met’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the benefit, which raised a whopping $16.75 million, pays for the annual budget of the Costume Institute of the Museum.
“We need to have a conversation in this country about working families,” Ocasio-Cortez said when asked to comment on her dress and its message.
