The latest theme, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, challenged attendees – from Billie Eilish to Lil Nas X – to celebrate the best of Americana
After a year of next to no social events, it seems the gods have blessed us with an early Christmas, putting the 2021 VMAs and Met Gala back-to-back.
That’s right, if yesterday’s bonanza of looks wasn’t enough to satiate you, it’s the big leagues tonight at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you enjoyed last night’s coverage, you’ll be pleased to hear that I’m back for a second night in a row to give you a lowdown on the looks worth a double tap. If not, bad luck!
To bring you up to speed, after last year’s Met Gala was postponed thanks to the persistence of c*r*n*v*r*s, it was revealed that this year’s event would be part one of a two-headed beast. Opening on September 18 – but previewed to a select few tonight – the theme is In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, celebrating the country’s contemporary names. It will be followed next year by In America: An Anthology of Fashion, set to have a more historical viewpoint.
It may not be the first Monday of May (when the event usually takes place) but we’re expecting attendees – from hosts Billie Eilish and Timothée Chalamet to fashion’s faves – to pull out all the stops, despite some of them double dipping. Give us what we want: denim, star-spangled everything, cowboys, apple pie, the Statue of Liberty – everything that actually makes America great.
Click through the gallery below to see who made the cut.
LIL NAS X BROUGHT MORE DRAMA
Going for a double win, Lil Nas X collaborated with Atelier Versace once again on a custom look. Except it wasn’t just one look, or even two, the musician served us three solid gold looks. The first look channeled royalty with giant structured shoulders, before being torn away to reveal a golden suit of armour (complete with abs), before revealing the final sparkling catsuit. Theatrics and glamour – will he ever miss?
TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET THREW CAUTION TO THE WIND
No white after Labour Day? Psht, who cares? Rewriting the ancient laws of American fashion, the Dune actor mashed-up some of his design faves: Haider Ackerman and Rick Owens, accessorised with some beaten up Converse. Let’s hope there are no spillages tonight...
KIM K WAS THERE (WE THINK)
After serving some Balenciaga Kimk (that’s Kardashian-flavoured kink) earlier this week, Kim Kardashian brought out another kinky look for the Met Gala. A Demna design again, her look entirely obscured her face and body, only revealing her ankle-grazing ponytail – a clever ploy to escape socialising we’re sure. Similarly concealed, the designer appeared alongside Kim on the red carpet.
THE SPIRIT OF MARILYN MONROE WAS ALIVE AND WELL
After last night’s rather demure black skirt and jumper combo at the VMAs, Billie Eilish was clearly saving all of her glamour for tonight. Looking like a vintage Hollywood starlet with her coiffed blonde locks and pastel peach Oscar de la Renta gown, the musician said “it was time” to bring glamour. Using her platform for good, Eilish revealed that she only agreed to work with the label if they agreed to no longer use fur in future collections. Win/win.
MORE FETISH ON THE RED CARPET
Following on from Kim Petras’ bedazzled gimp fantasy, à la Richard Quinn at last night’s VMAs, Gossip Girl’s Evan Mock opted for a similar look. Dressed in Thom Browne, the pink-haired actor’s look was safety pinned within an inch of its life and accessorised with a patent black gimp mask – playfully studded to mimic a mohawk.
FRANK OCEAN HAD A BABY
Making a surprise appearance at the event, the musician appeared wearing Prada and his newly launched jewellery label Homer, but that wasn’t the only accessory. In his arms he cradled a lime green animatronic baby, clad in a onesie. Yeah... we don’t know why either, but fashion.
RIHANNA KEPT US ALL WAITING
As she should! The ex-singer eventually turned up with boo A$AP Rocky on her arm, joining the army of attendees wearing Demna Gvasalia’s debut Couture collection for Balenciaga. Looking equally snug in a patchwork quilt, the rapper opted for ERL.