Each year, some of the biggest names in Hollywood descend on New York’s Met Museum, teaming up with exclusive fashion houses and couturists to help raise money for the Costume Institute.
While the Met Gala is traditionally held on the first Monday of May, this year’s star-studded event is taking place on September 13 - coinciding with the end of New York Fashion Week.
As has been the case since 1995, Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour is presiding over the event, deciding not only who is on the guest list, but also where they sit at the illustrious affair. She and her daughter Bee Shaffer are always first to arrive, to ensure the event runs smoothly and officially kick off the festivities.
Earlier this year, it was announced that actor Timothée Chalamet, singer Billie Eilish, tennis star Naomi Osaka and poet Amanda Gorman will be co-hosting the 2021 Met Gala, which, for the first time ever, has been split into two parts owing to the ongoing pandemic.
This year’s theme, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” is an homage to American designers. The institute’s head curator Andrew Bolton told Vogue he settled on the concept because “the American fashion community has been supporting us for 75 years […] so I wanted to acknowledge its support, and also to celebrate and reflect upon American fashion.
“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.
“I really do believe that American fashion is undergoing a renaissance.”
Previously, the likes of Rihanna (who, it has been announced, is hosting this year’s after-party), Blake Lively, Harry Styles and Lady Gaga have turned heads with their show-stopping looks, and fashion fans around the world will no doubt have been delighted by what this year’s event had to offer.
Catch up with the Met Gala 2021 highlights with Newsweek’s red carpet coverage below.
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The Formula One driver revealed he had invited up-and-coming Black designers to the prestigious event.
Cinderella star Cabello said her Michael Kors gown took inspiration from Studio 54.
The model said she wanted to opt for a more romantic look for this year’s event.
She wanted to make a political statement which she said was all about “sticking it to the man.”
It’s not the first time Jenner has worn a daring number, donning a barely-there dress by La Perla in 2017.
Every inch of the reality star’s body was covered including her face in the all black look, reminiscent of the recent outfits she’s worn to estranged husband Kanye West’s album listening parties.
The short black dress was worn over black tights, and came with a long black train.
She wore black gloves and her whole face was covered in a black mask.
Her daughter, who she shares with former One Direction singer Zayn Malik, turns one next week.
Fellow Olympian Allyson Felix looked stunning in a Fendi couture gown.
It’s the singer’s first time at the prestigious event.
Affleck was in attendance as the pair were photographed together inside, just didn’t walk the red carpet together.
She said she was inspired by American fashion’s popularizing of the fabric.
Justin was wearing a creation by his own label Maison Drew, while wife Hailey wore YSL.
They went red carpet official last month.
Her gown included his jersey number and she wore his Superbowl ring.
She was not accompanied by her boyfriend, Machine Gun Kelly, after she stepped out with him at the VMAs on Sunday night and called him her “future baby daddy.”
She admitted she was feeling nervous at the event and was keen to put her mask back on.
We suspect this year’s look may suffer the same fate as he carried a robotic green baby, matching the color of his hair.
It’s his first Met Gala appearance since transitioning.
The congresswoman wore a gown by Aurora James that said “Tax The Rich” on the back.
This year’s event follows strict COVID rules that include mask-wearing indoors all the time guests are not eating or drinking, and proof of vaccination on arrival.
She’d teased her outfit earlier in the day by sharing images of iconic red dresses from pop culture.
The viral sensation stunned in this gold dress.
The star owned the museum’s steps in this elaborate creation.
It’s the first time the rapper has attended the prestigious event.
Well, we’re sorry to disappoint but that’s not the real story behind the image.
Her gown, she explained, paid homage to Bianca Jagger’s 1981 Met Gala look designed by Halston.
The singer turned 40 last week and we can think of worse ways to spend our birthday.
Much like Lady Gaga at the 2019 event, he transformed from one outfit to the next, all created by Versace.
Talking to livestream host Ilana Glazer, Grimes spoke about this year’s theme and being Canadian, before making a plea with the President to get her green card approved.
Sivan is the envy of everyone as he admitted he’s sitting on the same table as Billie Eilish.
Her gown was created Oscar De La Renta who were delighted to work with her for the first time.
Her gown by Louis Vuitton is inspired by her Haitian and Japanese heritage.
Her glistening gown was by Christian Cowan.
The singer looked reminiscent of Old Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe in her voluminous ball gown and coiffed bob.
The couple went public with their relationship earlier this year after Chapman, designer at label Marchesa, divorced Harvey Weinstein.
She took to Twitter to share that she wouldn’t be attending over the event’s strict COVID rules which include requiring guests provide proof of vaccination and wear masks indoors while not eating or drinking.
She wrote: “if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research [sic].”
She stunned in a strapless blue gown by Vera Wang.
The poet revealed the Statue of Liberty served as inspiration for the look and carried a clutch bag that paid tribute to the poem at the base of the New York landmark.
The actor wore a white suit by Haider Ackermann.
In a post on Instagram’s official account, she shared a clip of her eyelashes being curled and gave a glimpse of her perfectly manicured nails.
She was spotted leaving The Mark Hotel in a blue strapless gown.
Who were they trying to keep from public view before the red carpet?
Some fans watching on the hotel’s Instagram Live thought it might be none other than the event’s co-chair Billie Eilish.
Wintour was spotted leaving The Mark Hotel in New York City with daughter Bee Shaffer and heading for the Metropolitan Museum for this year’s fundraiser.
Speaking to live stream hosts Ilana Glazer and Keke Palmer, Wintour revealed her dress was designed by Oscar de la Renta.
She also said this year’s theme celebrated the “patchwork” of different cultures.
The footage showed Chalamet looking at art, with his back to the camera, dressed in an all-white ensemble.
As the camera panned the room, he shifted in his seat so that his face remained obstructed from view.
Eventually, the actor got up from the viewing bench and burst through a black and white paper image of the American flag.
After emerging on the streets of New York City, Chalamet was swamped by fans stunned by his appearance. The live stream swiftly stopped as the the actor’s entourage was cut off.
Her hairstylist Chris Appleton shared an image of his tool kit on his Instagram Story and wrote that he would be getting her “Met Ball ready”.
Fellow hairstylist Jennifer Yepez also revealed she’s working on Emily Ratajkowksi’s Met Gala look.
Saturday Night Live star Chloe Fineman’s was also confirmed by her hairstylist Joseph Maine.
From Cher and Princess Diana, to Rihanna and Zendaya: here are the most iconic Met Gala looks of all-time.
After sharing a variety of throwback snaps of her looks from previous years, Jenner later revealed: “I’m so sad I couldn’t make it this year.”
She then added, “I can’t wait to see all the looks,” with a series of white heart Emojis.
It comes after the exciting news that she and boyfriend Travis Scott are expecting a second child together. The pair share 3-year-old daughter Stormi, who was born on February 1, 2018.
They will be wearing a creation by Bree Billiter who explained the meaning behind the gown on their Instagram Stories.
“The back of it is a pretty clear message: ‘Protect Trans Women,’” Billiter said.
“I wanted to make a dress to honor those who have been lost.”
She then showed the front of the gown, which includes an embellished heart, and said it represents “your truest soul bursting out, whether you can help it or not.”
Posting a picture of his sneakers wrapped in protective overshoes to his Instagram Story, the Dune star wrote: “5PM IG LIVE.”
With the red carpet expected to begin an hour later, we’re curious to see what he has in store for us.
While the final guest list has yet to be confirmed, there have been a number of celebrities who have let it be known that they are attending this year’s festivities.
There’s also been a fair amount of speculation about this year’s Met Gala including influencers and the like.
Read the full list of confirmed (and rumored) guests here.
While poring over the Sex and the City star’s 2006 outfit, where she wore matching tartan with late British designer Alexander McQueen, Wintour explained that Parker “takes the theme of the night unbelievably seriously.”
We couldn’t help but wonder…will Parker be making an appearance at this year’s event?
According to television host Andy Cohen, who frequently accompanies Parker on the red carpet, she’s not.
“I’m taking a year off,” he told Access Hollywood. “My date is filming this year. She’s filming [Sex and the City reboot] And Just Like That.”
Wintour also revealed why Beyoncé is often fashionably late to the red carpet while discussing the Givenchy gown she wore to the 2012 event.
“Of course with Beyoncé you’re never quite sure if she’s gonna turn up,” she said.
“She knows her timing, she was by far the last person on the carpet so it meant that she had the carpet entirely to herself which of course was absolutely what she deserved and she was certainly worth the wait.”
In fact, this is so well established that a documentary about the 2015 event was even called The First Monday in May.
After COVID meant that 2020’s event was cancelled, this year’s celebration was postponed to September - here’s why.
For those lucky enough to have their name added to the carefully curated guest list, this is just how much a seat at a table costs.
Many A-listers have walked the red-carpeted Met steps wearing the Italian fashion designer’s creations over the years.
Some of the looks she shared with her 6.5 million followers included Kim Kardashian, Zendaya, Blake Lively, Sza, Gigi Hadid, Katy Perry and Chadwick Boseman’s outfits from the 2018 event, when the theme was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.”
Her favorite looks from 2019’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion” event included Serena Williams, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Henry Golding, and Dua Lipa.
Sadly, she offered no hints about who she will be dressing this year.
The 20-year-old, who would be making her first appearance at the prestigious event if indeed she is attending, shared images of Marilyn Monroe, Cindy Crawford, Cameron Diaz, Julia Roberts, Britney Spears and Kate Moss.
Kate Moss aside, could this be a hint as to where she got her American fashion inspiration from for tonight’s red carpet?
The star, who shot to fame on the video sharing app for her dances, previously posted on Instagram that she is currently in New York, so she may well be one of the famous faces gracing tonight’s red carpet.
While the stars will spend their evening at the most exclusive party of the year, we will be at home with you, bringing you the latest news and reactions from the red carpet at the event often referred to as the Oscars of the fashion world.
The annual event raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and follows the theme of its latest exhibition.
Speaking of which, this year’s concept is “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” and tonight the party’s dress code is “American Independence,” so we’re expecting to see plenty of Americana-inspired looks and styling from of the country’s most celebrated designers, as well as some up-and-coming talent.
