Look, the Met Gala isn’t for everyone, but the annual pilgrimage that squishes fashion’s biggest names into one room for an all-out visual assault of the haute couture does have its moments. From the late Chadwick Boseman dominating in Versace to Lady Gaga stripping down in 2019, fashion’s night of nights is famed for outrageous looks, daring displays and just a touch of glamour. The 2021 edition, despite being hosted to a backdrop of COVID-19, didn’t disappoint. Here’s what you may have missed.
Image: Getty
What is the Met Gala?
For the uninitiated (or uncultured, take your pick), the Met Gala is fashion’s biggest night of the year. Otherwise, known as The Met Ball the fashion world’s equivalent of the Oscars. The evening brings together designers, models, and Hollywood stars in a visual buffet of looks, personified by over-the-top dresses, stunning formalwear and the utterly outrageous. Typically, everyone dresses to the theme, and according to the feel, of the exhibit; past themes have included camp, religion and punk, but it isn’t just the elite coming together for no reason. The entire night is held to celebrate and fundraise at a new exhibit from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
What is the 2021 Met Gala Theme?
The 2021 Met gala was held as an intimate event on September 13, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. A slightly more subdued edition, this year’s theme was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” celebrating all things American fashion. According to Vogue, Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute, felt it was time to reexamine American identity and fashion, in light of the political and social justice movements of the past few years.
“I’ve been really impressed by American designers’ responses to the social and political climate, particularly around issues of body inclusivity and gender fluidity, and I’m just finding their work very, very self-reflective,” he told Vogue. “I really do believe that American fashion is undergoing a renaissance. I think young designers, in particular, are at the vanguard of discussions about diversity and inclusion, as well as sustainability and transparency, much more so than their European counterparts, maybe with the exception of the English designers.”
Who Are This Year’s Hosts?
As is tradition, the 2021 Met Gala had a number of cochairs who help host the event. This time around, fans tuned in to see actor Timothée Chalamet, musician Billie Eilish, poet Amanda Gorman, and tennis star Naomi Osaka cochair the affair. Meanwhile, fashion design icon Tom Ford, Instagram’s Adam Mosseri, and Vogue’s Anna Wintour served as the honorary chairs.
2021 Met Gala Best Looks
It must be said that the 2021 Met Gala was unceremoniously stripped back compared to previous years. Many of the red carpet showings were uncharacteristically safe, with no major backlash and ridiculousness in sight. In fact, you could argue this year’s edition was one of the more uneventful, however, there were still some stand outs. Here are the best looks from the 2021 Met Gala red carpet.
Image: Invision
Kendall Jenner
Supermodel Kendall Jenner channelled classic Hollywood in a sheer Givenchy gown. The gown was inspired by a dress famed Givenchy muse Audrey Hepburn wore in “My Fair Lady,” which included the same jewel-embellished sleeves and choker – albeit was a little more modest.
Designer: Givenchy
Image: Getty
Lil Nas X
C3PO but make it sexy. Industry Baby Lil Nas X practically stole the red carpet show at this year’s Met Gala arriving in a beaded, high-collared golden cape, which featured a long, sweeping train. From there, he removed the outwear to reveal a gold robot suit that didn’t stay on long. The Old Town Road rapper quickly stripped down again, this time into a sparkly catsuit.
Designer: Atelier Versace
Image: FilmMagic
A$AP Rocky & Rihanna
Everybody’s favourite IT couple opted for the cosy look this year. Rihanna paired a black Balenciaga beanie with a matching overcoat with A$AP went colourful with this almost-snuggly like fit.
Designer: Balenciaga
Image: Getty
Zoë Kravitz
Opting to show some skin, Zoë Kravitz dolled up the glam with slicked-back hair and a see-through chainmail ensemble by Yves Saint Laurent. The YSL connection runs deep for Kravitz, who is currently the face of the brand’s beauty line.
Designer: Yves Saint Laurent
Image: Getty
Timothée Chalamet
Fashion’s most in-demand man took a casual approach to this year’s event. Chalamet paired a Haider Ackermann satin tuxedo and Cartier brooch with sweatpants and Converse, creating a clash of white on the red carpet.
Designer: Haider Ackermann
Image: Getty
Megan Fox
Old school glamour was on full display this year, with Megan Fox dipping into the archives for this Golden Age of Hollywood ensemble. The plunging red lace-up Dundas gown is covered in sequins and cutouts, which reportedly took 50 people to finish.
Designer: Dundas
Image: Wireimage
Frank Ocean
One of the most talked-about looks from the 2021 Met Gala, Frank Ocean’s ensemble had one thing most others didn’t – a green robot baby. Aside from that, the outfit was relatively subdued, with Ocean going for a relaxed take on American Workwear. He paired for a black suede, three-piece suit by Prada with a white T-shirt.
Designer: Prada
Image: Getty
Jennifer Lopez
Singer, actor and the fittest 52-year-old on the planet, Jennifer Lopez honoured the “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” theme with her feather bolero jacket, holster belt, wide-brimmed hat and chunky silver jewellery. Yeehaw.
Designer: Ralph Lauren
Image: Wireimage
Billie Eilish
Channelling Marilyn Monroe, Billie Eilish went old-school Hollywood for this one. Eilish traded her signature baggy style for an off-shoulder peach tulle gown by Oscar de la Renta. She reportedly only agreed to wear the outfit if de la Renta put an end to using fur.
Designer: Oscar de la Renta
Image: Getty
Cara Delevingne
Model and actor Cara Delevingne opted to send a message with this look for the 2021 Met Gala. A bold statement about women empowerment that is perhaps a little confusing, but headline-grabbing nonetheless.
Designer: Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri
Image: Getty
Channing Tatum
You can’t go wrong with a classic tuxedo. Actor Channing Tatum showed up at the 2021 Met Gala adorned in a stunning Versace suit, complete with his newly-acquired buzzed hairstyle. Remarkably, this was Tatum’s first appearance at the event.
Designer: Versace
Image: Wireimage
Normani
Yellow Valentino – It doesn’t get more glam than this. While there’s pretty much no link to the theme, it still gets a pass purely for the designer and the star wearing it.
Designer: Valentino
Image: FilmMagic
Pete Davidson
Dressed in all Thom Browne, Pete Davidson joked that he was dressed as a ‘slutty nun’, but somehow he pulled it off. The outfit features a black midi dress, crisp white blazer and high ankle socks.
Designer: Thom Browne
Image: Getty
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams definitely understood the assignment. Taking inspiration for the Wild West, Pharrell killed it in a Chanel cowboy getup — designed by Karl Lagerfeld. Peep the bolo tie, gold-tipped boots.
Designer: Karl Lagerfeld
Image: Invision
Iman
David Bowie’s former flame and the effortlessly ageless Iman stunned in an over-the-top ensemble, complete with a feathered headpiece by Harris Reed.
Designer: Harris Reed
General FAQs
The Met Gala is the fashion world's equivalent of the Oscars. The evening brings together designers, models, and Hollywood stars in a visual buffet of looks, personified by over-the-top dresses, stunning formalwear and the utterly outrageous. The entire night is held to celebrate and fundraise at a new exhibit from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
The 2021 Met Gala was held as an intimate event on September 13, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. A slightly more subdued edition, this year's theme was In America: A Lexicon of Fashion - celebrating all things American fashion.
As is tradition, the 2021 Met Gala had a number of cochairs who help host the event. This time around, fans tuned in to see actor Timothée Chalamet, musician Billie Eilish, poet Amanda Gorman, and tennis star Naomi Osaka cochair the affair. Meanwhile, fashion design icon Tom Ford, Instagram’s Adam Mosseri, and Vogue's Anna Wintour served as the honorary chairs.
