One of the most anticipated fashion events of the year is here. The Met Gala was held this morning (6pm ET) with A-list celebrities making splashy entrances in their glitziest best for the annual fundraiser for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This year’s theme is “Gilded Glamour”, inspired by the Costume Institute’s exhibition, In America: An Anthology of Fashion. According to Vogue, it channels the time period between 1870 to 1890 with the event requesting attendees “to embody the grandeur—and perhaps the dichotomy—of Gilded Age New York.”
You can count on Blake Lively to deliver a showstopper at The Met. This breathtaking coppery Versace look dramatically transformed as she glided down the red carpet to reveal a turquoise and brass look – it pays homage to the iconic New York City architecture and classic buildings like the Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.
The change of colour is representative of the patina aging that copper undergoes over time. She’s one of the co-hosts this year, along with her husband Ryan Reynolds.
Everything Everywhere All at Once star Michelle Yeoh glided down the red carpet in this vivid green showstopper by American designer Prabal Gurung.
According to the designer, the off-shoulder number is made with upcycled silk-faille, and “captures the grandness of the Gilded Age”. It’s also inspired by ‘the perfect combination of elegance and sensuality but with a fighter spirit that Michelle embodies.”
Kim Kardashian channels Marilyn Monroe with the latter’s iconic ‘Happy Birthday, Mr. President’ Dress and even bleached locks — Monroe donned it on May 19, 1962, to serenade former US president John F. Kennedy with her rendition of “Happy Birthday”. The custom design by Hollywood costume designer Jean Louis is handstitched with over 2,500 crystals.
Gigi Hadid rocked up to the Met Gala in this latex jumpsuit with a corset top by Versace, with a giant puffy coat that spilled onto the floor.
Is the look on theme? Maybe, maybe not. But it’s sure to get heads turning.
We’re not surprised Cardi B showed up decked in bling. Dressed by Versace, the rapper’s look is a high-voltage take on Gilded Age dressing, replete with the label’s signature Medusa head medallions. We’re just wondering how much all those chains weigh…
Billie Eilish’s Gucci gown with a corset top and green lace sleeves seemingly references an 1885 portrait of Madame Paul Poirson by American painter John Singer Sargent. The dress is reportedly eco-friendly too, crafted wholely out of existing materials and excess fabric.
Black is far from boring, in Vanessa Hudgens’ books anyway. After slaying at the Oscars just a while ago in a glittery black cut-out gown, she’s back in this ultra-sexy sheer Moschino stunner that leaves little to the imagination.
Making a regal entrance, Kendall Jenner sported a black two-piece Prada set that featured a sheer mesh top and voluminous ruffled skirt. And that’s not all that made a statement. The model and reality TV star also showed up with bleached brows for an extra dose of drama.
Hailey Bieber is a vision in white with this ivory Saint Laurent halter and a dramatic feather cape that pays tribute to a look worn by the iconic supermodel two decades ago on the YSL Spring/Summer 2002 runway.
Dakota Johnson returned to the Met Gala after a couple of years away with a wine-hued velvet robe that she shrugged off to reveal a sheer glittery fringed look by Gucci.
Bridgerton star Simone Ashley evokes elegance with a side of glamour thanks to a gold-and-black cropped bustier, a matching body-skimming maxi skirt from Moschino. A statement bow at the back and an attached shawl turns up the glamour for the red carpet.
Winnie Harlow’s Iris Van Herpen look with a theatrical headdress is futuristic and fantastical.
Cara Delevingne’s interpretation of the “gilded glamour” theme was to literally paint herself in gold. Her vibrant red Dior Haute Couture jacket was removed to reveal there she had nothing on except paint, pasties and body jewellery. Her luscious golden locks play up the look.
A glittering ode to New York, Alicia Key’s Ralph Lauren dress is emblazoned with the city’s skyline with 200,000 crystals.
Is that Cinna from The Hunger Games? Well, almost. It’s Lenny Kravitz, who played the role of the fashion designer, who’s smouldering in lace and leather.
Clad a shock of top-to-toe hot pink courtesy of Maison Valentino, Sebastian Stan sure knows how to make a statement. Again, not quite on theme, but we kind of dig the look.
This article was first published in The Singapore Women’s Weekly.