The Met Gala is fashion’s grandest stage — a place where style, celebrity, and cultural commentary collide in a single, glittering red carpet. But even amid the extravagance and fantasy, some things remain untouched. Why do so many men still cling to the sartorial safety net of conservative suiting and restraint? And what does it reveal about the ways we continue to police masculinity, even in spaces supposedly built for self-expression?

In this episode of Mission Critical, host Lance Chung sits down with Dr. Ben Barry, Dean of Fashion at Parsons School of Design and a leading advocate for inclusive, equity-driven fashion education. Together, they unpack how fashion operates as both a performance of power and a vehicle for cultural critique — whether it’s on the Met Gala steps, in political arenas, or in everyday life.