It was the first Monday in May yesterday which meant that it was fashion’s biggest night out at the annual Met Gala.
Invited celebrities and other internationally-renowned figures descended on the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the yearly fundraising gala, affectionately known as the Met Ball.
And the highly-anticipated red carpet did not disappoint as attendees lent their own artistic and stylish interpretations of this year’s theme, Gilded Glamour, a tribute to an era of immense progress in architecture and design.
While many debuted new designs, the Met Gala 2022 theme also gave some the opportunity to refresh some archival looks from yesteryear.
These were some of the best dressed at the gala
Blake Lively
Actress and businesswoman Blake Lively was the belle of the ball in a custom-made Versace ensemble, which was inspired by the Big Apple’s architecture as it incorporated elements of several iconic New York buildings completed during the Gilded Age.
But the magic in Lively’s look was that it was transformed on the red carpet. The actress’s gown appeared to be an intricately draped dress in a reddish hue but when she ascended the steps, the draping opened to reveal a mint blue colour reminiscent of the patinated copper on the Statue of Liberty.
Cardi B
US rapper Cardi B dazzled on the Met Gala red carpet in an Atelier Versace dress embroidered with gold chains. The form-fitting and figure-hugging gown was made from tulle and silk organza filled with down. According to reports, the musician’s dress took 35 people more than 2 000 hours to create and is embellished with 30 000 feathers.
Kim Kardashian
Reality television star and business mogul Kim Kardashian provided the ultimate throwback on the red carpet as she emerged on the infamous stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the Jean Louis gown Marilyn Monroe wore in 1962 to serenade John F Kennedy on his birthday. Kardashian matched the infamous Monroe glittering dress with a white fur coat as well as platinum blonde and perfectly coiffed hair, which was an unmistakable reference to the American actress and model.
Jack Harlow
The American rapper looked suave and dapper at the Met Ball in a Givenchy chocolate brown suit. The First Class hitmaker paired his designer look with classic leather dress shoes and his signature messy curls. This was the very first time that Harlow attended the prestigious fundraising event as he continues to gain prominence in the industry while also cementing himself in the fashion world.
Winnie Harlow
Jamaican-Canadian fashion model, spokesperson and activist Winnie Harlow commanded attention in a futuristic ballerina couture gown and crystal crown at the Met Gala.
Designed by Iris van Herpen, the ensemble featured a black root-like motif at the centre. Upping the fashion ante even further, she paired the unusual gown with a large crystal crown adorning her head and coordinated the stylish ensemble with simple pointed-toe white heels.