published by Allyssia Alleyne, CNN Oscar Holland, CNN Nick Remsen, CNN New York City
Pop tradition’s most famous faces descended regarding the The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday evening to celebrate the fashion industry’s celebration of the season: the Met Gala
Postponed final time around because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the star-studded annual fundraiser for the Met’s Costume Institute returned to mark the opening of its banner fashion exhibition, ” In America: A Lexicon of Fashion .” A-list actors, supermodels,TV drag queens, artists and athletes all walked the red carpet — or cream carpet, to be precise — offering their own take on the all-American theme
Cartwheels, costume modifications and political statements just take stage at the Met Gala
Prior to the occasion, longstanding gala chair Anna Wintour said via email that American fashion in 2021 is becoming “a patchwork, reflecting the world we’re all living in, as seen through many different lenses.” Contributing to this patchwork, the Vogue editor-in-chief eschewed her usual Chanel and resulted in in a floral Oscar de la Renta gown — a tribute towards the late designer, who had been an in depth buddy of hers plus an avid gardener.
Certainly one of Wintour’s celebrity co-chairs, inaugural poet Amanda Gorman , offered her thoughts on the theme as she reached the Met, telling CNN Style that US fashion ended up being “diverse, vibrant, beautiful and intersectional.”
Making her method up the actions in an embellished indigo Vera Wang gown and silver laurel top, she said: “I think American fashion really is at the crossroads of the world.” Representing a reimagined Statue of Liberty, Gorman held an Edie Parker clutch that said “Give Me Your Tired,” a mention of the poem inscribed at the statue’s base.
The poet was one of the movie stars to don deep colors of blue at the glitzy occasion. Tracee Ellis Ross wowed in a Balenciaga Couture coating gown with a popped collar, while gymnast Nia Dennis made an acrobatic entrance in a blue Stella McCartney catsuit.
Another regarding the night’s co-chairs, Timothée Chalamet , was among a number of attendees to choose white, arriving with typical nonchalance in a shrunken white satin suit jacket and billowing white Haider Ackerman pants tucked into a couple of crisp Converse sneakers.
But of these seeking to the movie stars and stripes associated with US banner for motivation, the people drawn to red came out in best force.
Megan Fox switched heads with pinup-style bangs and a bold Dundas dress featuring a plunging v-neck and high slit, while Karlie Kloss wore a scarlet Carolina Herrera dress with striking structural details.
Model Ella Emhoff, the stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, sported an all-red Adidas outfit by Stella McCartney, joining more information on superstars to wear the color, including Jennifer Hudson, Rosalia, Emily Ratajkowski and Maluma.
On a night specialized in US fashion, it’s unsurprising that many opted for old Hollywood glamour.
Using Oscar de la Renta, co-chair Billie Eilish channeled Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly inside her décolleté-bearing peach gown, which came with a fitted bodice and lengthy tulle train that needed the support of four helpers. Megan Thee Stallion additionally glittered in a elegant red Coach dress featuring hand-embroidered crystal detailing and an asymmetrical hem.
Billie Eilish chosen classic glamour along with her luxurious Oscar de la Renta gown. Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
MJ Rodriguez seemed to the past for inspiration, too, stunning onlookers in a Thom Browne creation she called a “Victorian look.” Yet the outfit also alluded to something altogether more contemporary. Speaking to CNN Style on her way in, the “Pose” star said the outfit had been designed to “show what it looks like to be America now in 2021 and be a Black, Latina trans woman who can show that she can take her roots all the way back to American roots.”
Rodriguez was among a number of attendees to interpret the theme through the lens of diversity. Rapper Saweetie wore a figure-hugging, crystal-embellished gown with a long train by Christian Cowan that incorporated the colors of the Black American Heritage flag and a Filipino flag — a mention of her mixed heritage.
Similarly, co-chair Naomi Osaka brought her Japanese and Haitian background together in an ensemble by Louis Vuitton. The ruffled sleeves evoked carnival, even though the red obi across her tulip dress recalled the traditional kimono tie.
There have been strong social and political communications on the red carpet, too — a lot of which were expressed through the language of US values. Nyc Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney did not mince words in a bold appearance emblazoned with “equal rights for women” on trailing shoulder panels. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez meanwhile arrived in a white off-the-shoulder gown by Brooklyn-based brand Brother Vellies bearing the phrase “Tax the Rich.”
But while there were a lot of serious statements — and more of the pared-down approach than 2019’s event, which saw stars embrace the extravagant “camp” theme — it wouldn’t function as Met Gala without some dramatic entrances.
Lil Nas X made one of the evening’s many dramatic entrances, exposing a gold suit of armor and, later on, a silver jumpsuit. Credit: John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images
Lil Nas X went for a succession of fast costume modifications, getting rid of a gigantic velvet robe to reveal a suit of golden armor before unveiling a sparkling golden jumpsuit. Elsewhere, musician Grimes arrived clutching a blade forged from a melted-down weapon , that was developed by art collective MSCHF, and supermodel Iman wowed within an oversized feathered headdress, gold corset and feathered, wire-framed ball skirt.
With so many takes on exactly what American fashion means in 2021, a very important factor is clear: The Met Gala brought it down in all its diversity.
Scroll through the gallery above for lots more features out of this 12 months’s Met Gala red carpeting.
Golden Dreams 