Stars impersonating stars, New York City architecture and names of historic women embroidered on designer gowns... This year's Met Gala was all about that and more.
The theme of the Met Gala 2022 was 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion', the second part of the Costume Institute's exhibition, which opened on September 18.
The first part of the exhibition was reflected in last year's theme, 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion', which was in celebration of all things American Fashion.
The colour palette was ruled by dresses and suits in classic black and white, with a few sprinkles of red, pink, blue, and metallic gold and silver. Kim Kardashian attended the Met Gala in one of Marilyn Monroe's most iconic dresses as the reality TV personality appeared on the red carpet with actor-comic boyfriend Pete Davidson.
Kardashian was dressed in Monroe's nude gold-beaded body hugger, designed by Jean Louis, that the late cinema icon wore when she sang happy birthday to President John F Kennedy 60 years ago. Channelling her inner Marilyn, "The Kardashians" star also dyed her hair blonde.
Actor Blake Lively posed for the shutterbugs in an Atelier Versace gown, with actor-husband Ryan Reynolds who was dressed in a brown velvet suit from Ralph Lauren. For her look, Lively drew inspiration from the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and the blue ceiling of Grand Central Station.
Decked up in a black Ralph Lauren design, singer-songwriter Alicia Keys paid homage to her native New York City with a cape etched with small hand-placed crystals showcasing the city's skyline. She was accompanied by her husband, record producer Swizz Beatz, also a fellow New Yorker, who wore a New York sports jacket.
Art is political and this phrase shone brightly at the fundraiser,
organised by The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday evening, when
New York Mayor Eric Adams attended the event in a tuxedo embellished
with 'End Gun Violence' on the back.
According to American media, former presidential candidate Hillary
Clinton, who last graced the gala two decades ago, made a surprise
regal entry in a deep red gown. Designed by Joseph Altuzarra, the
dress was etched with names of historical American women, including
Rosa Parks, Abigail Adams, Shirley Chisolm and Madeleine Albright.
Indian entrepreneur-philanthropist Natasha Poonawalla was drama
in motion as she teamed up a gold handcrafted printed tulle sari
and trail by celebrity designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee with a Sciaparelli
hand-forged metal bustier.
Singer Lizzo, who had donned a Thom Browne black dress with a stunning
gold-embroidered black coat, played her gold flute at the red carpet
for the cheering crowd.
Camila Cabello was a vision in white in a gown with a midriff top
from Nepalese designer Prabal Gurung.
Power couple Sophie Jonas and Joe Jonas, who are expecting their
second child together, wore black and white Louis Vuitton ensembles.
Sarah Jessica Parker got her Carrie from "Sex and The City" back
with a vigour as she chose a custom Christopher John Rogers ballgown
with a pink and black feather head piece by Philip Treacy. Her dress
paid tributes to Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, who made history as the
first Black female fashion designer in the White House.
While newly minted Oscar winner Billie Eilish wore a custom Gucci
silky corset gown, Janelle Monae opted for a monochrome outfit with
a futuristic wave from Ralph Lauren.
Supermodel Gigi Hadid was dressed in a tight, red Latex catsuit
with a corseted bodice and massive coat from Versace.
Tesla chief and Twitter's new owner Elon Musk attended the event
in a classic tuxedo with coattails. His date for the evening was
his mother and former model Maye Musk, who was bedecked in Chopard
pearls. PTI RDS