The Met Gala returned to New York in spectacular fashion on Monday night after a year-long hiatus during the pandemic.
Fashionistas and A-list stars went all out with bold, beautiful and some truly bizarre looks as they reveled in the spotlight on the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with Jennifer Lopez, a balaclava-clad Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Megan Fox and Billie Eilish leading the glamour.
The theme for the evening was In America: A Lexicon of Fashion and the event featured a heavy-hitting contingent of celebrity co-chairs: actor Timothée Chalamet, musician Billie, poet Amanda Gorman and tennis star Naomi Osaka.
Honorary chairs for the evening were designer Tom Ford, sponsor Instagram’s Adam Mosseri, and Vogue’s Anna Wintour, while the must-have accessory of the night was a Covid-19 vaccine – a clear mandate set out by the event organizers.
Arrivals: Billie Eilish looked like an Old Hollywood star in her custom Oscar de la Renta tulle corset gown with Marilyn Monroe inspired locks
Jennifer Lopez showcased her toned legs in a plunging brown embroidered gown with a faux fur shearling coat and a hat; she is in custom Ralph Lauren.
The 52-year-old singer/actress/dancer arrived back to the states after a trip to the Venice Film Festival with boyfriend Ben Affleck, who skipped the red carpet.
Meanwhile Kim Kardashian wore head to toe black in a gown and facemask by Balenciaga, a striking difference from her 2019 look.
The TV personality’s half-sister Kendall Jenner glittered in a sheer gown with a nude bodysuit underneath; the stunning frock had a statement silver choker-style neckline; she is wearing custom Givenchy, with the look inspired by Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady.
Well done: Jennifer’s jacket was actually a faux fur piece by Ralph Lauren
Legs for days: The 52-year-old singer/actress/dancer arrived back to the states after a trip to the Venice Film Festival with boyfriend Ben Affleck, who skipped the red carpet; she is in custom Ralph Lauren
Closer look: She wore a leather choker and a Western-style cowboy hat to complete her look, which was on point for the American Icon theme
PDA session: Ben, 49, did not pose on the steps with Jennifer but was snapped soon after sharing kisses with her near the entrance – despite both of them wearing face masks
Elsewhere Megan Fox wowed in a striking crimson custom Dundas embellished gown that featured lace up details along the chest and sides.
The actress, who did not attend with boyfriend Machine Gun Kelly, paired the thigh-revealing number with red Jimmy Choo heels and a blunt fringe, adding red lipstick.
Billie Eilish looked like an Old Hollywood star in her custom Oscar de la Renta tulle corset gown with Marilyn Monroe inspired locks.
Dark side: Kim, 40, wore pointed boots for the unforgettable look by Balenciaga and boots
Unique: Every inch of Kim’s skin was covered in fabric, including a balaclava, gloves
Fashion first: Kim posed alongside Balenciaga designer Demna Gvasalia
Rihanna donned a dramatic black gown with a crystal and black style beanie, adding a statement diamond necklace.
The singer/entrepreneur arrived with her boyfriend, rapper ASAP Rocky, who wore a quilted style number that he laid onto the carpet.
Hailey Bieber, 24, donned a sleek black strapless Saint Laurent gown with crystal detailing along the bustline, joined by her husband Justin Bieber on the red carpet.
The pop star, who won two VMA awards the night prior, wore La Maison Drew, which is an extension of his brand Drew House.
Gigi Hadid wowed in a black and white strapless Prada gown with tights adding blue eye makeup and her striking red hair pulled slightly back.
Red hot: Megan wowed in the striking crimson Dundas gown that featured lace up details along the chest and sides; she paired the thigh-revealing number with red heels
Close up: The mother of three showcased her cleavage in the racy look, adding crimson lipstick and statement earrings
Princess moment: Met Gala Co-chair Billie Eilish looked absolutely beautiful in a peach corset gown with Marilyn Monroe inspired tresses; she is in custom Oscar de la Renta
A moment: The Happier Than Ever artist stunned in the lace number, which had a ball skirt and long train
The Queen of Met Gala: Rihanna donned a dramatic black Balenciaga overcoat with a matching hat; she is wearing 267 carats of Bulgari jewels
Lovebirds: Rihanna arrived with her boyfriend ASAP Rocky, who wore a quilted style number that he laid onto the carpet. He is wearing a look by ERL
A vision: Beneath ASAP’s cover up with a blazer, trousers and white button up look
A moment: The couple cuddled on the red carpet as they giggled together
Timeless: Hailey Bieber donned a sleek black strapless Saint Laurent gown with crystal detailing along the bustline
Mr. and Mrs. Bieber: Hailey was joined by husband Justin Bieber on the carpet; he is wearing La Maison Drew, an extension of his brand Drew House
Speechless: Gigi Hadid wowed in a black and white strapless Prada gown with tights adding blue eye makeup and her striking red hair pulled slightly back
Details: She added blue eye makeup and her striking red hair pulled slightly back
Besties: Longtime friends Kendall, 25, and Gigi, 26, sweetly greeted each other on the red carpet
Irina Shayk donned a sheer floral gown that featured 3-D flowers all over; the model is wearing Moschino by Jeremy Scott with Stuart Weitzman heels.
The see-through number had a corset top and a thigh high split; the supermodel also sported short tresses for the racy red carpet look.
Riverdale star Lili Reinhart donned a custom Christian Siriano gown featuring a corset as well as flower applique; the dress celebrated all 50 state flowers.
Emily Ratajkowski also opted for a see-through number, but opted for a bold red tone.
The model and mother of one donned a custom red Vera Wang lace number featuring nude panels and a statement voluminous neckline.
Saweetie donned custom Christian Cowan; the frock incorporated the Filipino flag and the Black American Heritage flag.
Flower power: Irina Shayk donned a sheer floral gown that featured 3-D flowers all over; the model is wearing Moschino by Jeremy Scott with Stuart Weitzman heels
Sheer: The see-through number had a corset top and a thigh high split; posing with designer Jeremy Scott
Attention to detail: Riverdale star Lili Reinhart donned a custom Christian Siriano gown featuring a corset as well as flower applique; the dress celebrated all 50 state flowers
Lovely: She paired the floral number with center parted sleek hair with pink glossy lips
Crimson: Emily Ratajkowski donned a Vera Wang lace red dress featuring nude panels and a statement voluminous neckline
Va-va-voom: The model’s gown had a lengthy floral lace train that cascaded down the Met Gala steps
Ab-solutely stunning: Singers Saweetie (L) and Teyana Taylor (R) flashed their rock hard midsection in revealing gowns
Yara Shahidi, who is half Persian, looked like a goddess as she arrived in a taupe embroidered custom Dior gown with matching sleeves, complete with a veil.
The dramatic look was designed as a nod to Josephine Baker.
Emily Blunt chose a sheer silver and white Grecian inspired custom Miu Miu gown with an intricate head piece while Hailee Steinfeld went for a three-dimensional mini dress by Iris Van Herpen from the Fall 2021 Haute Couture collection.
The actress/singer, 24, also debuted shorter and very blonde hair with bleached brows to complete the dramatic look.
Also rocking the silvery toned look was stunner Zoe Kravitz, who showcased her incredible figure in a chainlink Saint Laurent gown.
Royal arrival: Yara Shahidi (L), who is half Persian, looked like a goddess as she arrived in a taupe embroidered custom Dior gown with matching sleeves, complete with a veil; Emily Blunt (R) chose a sheer silver and white Grecian inspired gown with an intricate head piece
Cheeky: The gown had chain detailing that featured tiny YSL logos
Shimmering: Zoe showcased her incredible body in a see-through frock with a crystal thong and bikini top
Shimmering: Chloe Bailey wore a silky white gown with a dramatic cape
Chic: Alicia Keys donned custom AZ Factory while husband Swizz Beatz wore Dior Men
Fashion date night: Serena Williams donned a feathered black, pink and white jacket with a silver lace jumpsuit for the Met Gala; she arrived with her husband Alexis Ohanian
Hot pink! Model Karen Elson donned a silver and pink dress that featured a long train; the model is wearing Moschino by Jeremy Scott
Style: Lourdes Leon, the daughter of Madonna, wore a jeweled hot pink skirt with a criss-cross top, opting for Cher inspired long hair for a seventies style look. Lourdes is in Moschino by Jeremy Scott
Pink princess: Carey Mulligan wore a hot pink number, complete with a majestic cape that was styled off to one side. The beauty is wearing Valentino Fall 2021 Haute Couture neon rose gown and cape
Sweet moment: Brooklyn Beckham and fiancee Nicola Peltz shared a PDA moment on the carpet
Bright: JAckie Aina donned a hot pink and cotton candy pink toned number with matching accessories
Glittering: The Havana songstress flashed her midriff in the bold purple sequin embellished number, which also included a feathered wrap. She is wearing custom Michael Kors
Rock star energy: Camila Cabello and boyfriend Shawn Mendes arrived in rocker-chic looks; Shawn wore a Michael Kors fall 2021 blazer with Fall 2004 archive trousers that are made from velvet
Sleek: Regina King donned a navy pinstripe dress with gold sequins woven under the cape detail; she is wearing Michael Kors
Dramatic arrival: Natalia Bryant and Lorde both chose statement looks, both looking incredible
Show stopper: Iman wore custom Harris Reed X Dolce and Gabbana; the feathered look included a bold head piece as well
Sizzling: Karlie Kloss and Addison Rae both opted for eye catching red looks
Retro: Kristen Stewart opted for trousers with a pleated top – both by Chanel
Cic: Kaia Gerber wore a black faille gown with a cut-out bodice and ivy vine embroidered detail, revealing a hint of her cleavage; she is wearing custom Oscar de la Renta
Striking: The model, who is the daughter of icon Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, kept her makeup minimal
Dramatic: Erykah Badu wore a black and white number complete with a statement hat that she could pull down over her face
Couple: Taika Waititi and Rita Ora seen at the Gala; Rita chose a silver crop top and matching skirt, both by Prada adding a coordinating black jacket
A goddess: Keke Palmer exuded glamor in a glittery black dress that featured a low back, revealing her sculpted frame, as she kicked off this year’s Met Gala
Bold: Winnie Harlow slipped on a sheer zebra printed gown with pointed black boots
At just 19, Billie made history as the youngest ever co-chair of the prestigious event.
When the hosts were first announced, Vogue magazine said: ‘Each of the Met’s four co-hosts embodies the defining factor of American style: individualism.
‘[They have each] developed a distinct visual language for their public personas, one that is informed by the legacy of iconic fashion made in the USA.’
Staying close: Kit Harington and wife Rose Leslie; Rose donned a citrine tulle gown by Oscar de la Renta from the Resort 2022 collection and Kit wore Saint Laurent
Neon: Diane Kruger paired a highlighter green caped dress with hot pink heels
Football wife: Ciara, who is married to football star Russell Wilson, donned a neon green jersey inspired number while carrying a football shaped handbag. She is wearing Dundas
This year’s gala will be a more intimate affair, to be followed by a larger one on May 2, 2022. Both will launch a two-part exhibition, a survey of American fashion to be on view for almost a year.
In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, opening Sept. 18, will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the museum´s Costume Institute and ‘explore a modern vocabulary of American fashion,’ the spokesperson added.
Part two, In America: An Anthology of Fashion, will open in the museum’s popular American Wing period rooms on May 5, 2022, and will explore American fashion, with collaborations with film directors, by ‘presenting narratives that relate to the complex and layered histories of those spaces.’ Both parts will close on Sept. 5, 2022.
Handsome: Timothee Chalamet cut a dapper figure in a white jacket but paired it with sweats-style bottoms and Converse sneakers
Unique: Actor Dan Levy donned a look that featured maps of the United States, which was on point for this year’s theme
Sharp: Fashion designer Tom Ford, who is an honorary chair for this year’s Gala, looked good in his tailored suit with a velvet jacket, adding sunglasses
Statement: Lil Nas X had three different looks
Queen & Slim filmmaker Melina Matsoukas had been commissioned to create an open-ended film to project in the galleries, with content changing during the course of the exhibition.
The gala is a major fundraiser, providing the Costume Institute with its primary source of funding.
As always, the exhibits will be the work of star curator Andrew Bolton. Bolton has previously noted how challenging the past year had been for the fashion community.
‘It’s been incredibly inspiring to see how designers have responded to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, how they’ve found new outlets to express their creativity and new ways to present their collections,’ he said.
Here she is! Anna Wintour, US Vogue’s Editor-In-Chief and Met Gala chairwoman arrived in a patterned floral number with a mermaid style hem; Anna’s pregnant daughter Bee Shaffer donned a teal gown with her baby bump on display
Bold: Eva Chen, Instagram’s director of fashion partnerships, stood out in a neon patterned frock with checkered gloves
Millennials: YouTuber Emma Chamberlain also got an invite to the event, arriving in a cut-out gold and silver frock
Incredible: DailyMailTV’s Alicia Quarles looked stunning in a purple Pamela Rowland gown with shoes by Dior for the biggest night in fashion