Gender-bending fashion ruled
Emma Corrin interpreted the “gilded glamour” dress code with a top hat rather than a ballgown. The eccentric 19th century New York socialite Evander Berry Wall – instantly recognisable by his pointed collars, stockings and silk hats – served as the inspiration for the fashion forward star’s custom Miu Miu look. She was far from the only guest playing with gender norms on the red carpet: Oscar Isaac (who famously wears a skirt well), attended in a trompe l’oeil white tie and tailcoat dress by Thom Browne, while his wife Elvira Lind wore tails by the same designer. Browne also dressed Kourtney Kardashian and her fiancé Travis Barker, who chose a skirt to complement the one worn by his wife-to-be. Elsewhere, Lenny Kravitz attended in a leather and lace take on the corsets that were trending on the night.
Blake Lively’s Lady Liberty-inspired gown was two dresses in one
Co-host Blake Lively didn’t need a costume change – her Atelier Versace dress was effectively two looks in one. When Blake ascended the steps at the Met the coppery satin skirt of the gown was wrapped around her waist. Once she reached the top, a fleet of tuxedo-clad attendants untied the bow, and the fabric unfurled to reveal a flowing skirt in Tiffany & Co. blue. An homage to New York City and its iconic landmarks, the copper shade reflected the aged patina on the Statue of Liberty, and the dress was embroidered with the same constellations that decorate the ceiling at Manhattan’s Grand Central Station. (The transformation also had shades of Zendaya’s Cinderella moment at the 2019 Met.)
Headwear ranged from diamond tiaras to baseball caps
The Gilded Age theme prompted some regal touches on the red carpet: US Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour accessorised with a tiara, as did co-host Blake Lively, who added a bejewelled headpiece to her Versace gown. Freshly-minted Cartier ambassador Emma Chamberlain was dripping in diamonds on the night, but the pièce de résistance was undoubtedly her vintage platinum and diamond Cartier tiara – a fitting choice for YouTube royalty. At the other end of the style spectrum, sportswear made its presence felt at the event, too. Nicki Minaj topped off her Burberry look with a leather baseball cap, while Kylie Jenner’s bridal Off-White ensemble incorporated a backwards cap with a mini-veil.
There were three Jared Letos on the red carpet
How do you top carrying a replica of your own head up the Met steps? By coordinating your outfit with Gucci’s Alessandro Michele, down to the last Swarovski-embellished hair clip. Rounding up the number of Letos on the red carpet to an even three: attendee Fredrik Robertsson, who – in his Iris van Herpen dress – got mistaken for the WeCrashed star by a number of prestigious media outlets.
Riz Ahmed turned the Gilded Age theme on its head
Inevitably, the majority of the red-carpet fashion on the night brought a level of glamour worthy of the Vanderbilts, but Riz Ahmed delivered a refreshingly low-key (and politically charged) take on the gilded glamour theme with help from Prada. The actor’s loose-fitting jacket, undershirt, and knee-high boots nodded to the “immigrant workers who kept the Gilded Age going”.
Sophie Turner’s baby bump took centre stage
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas never commented publicly on rumours they are expecting their second child, but there was no doubt about the happy news at the Met Gala, where a radiant Turner – who with her husband was among 14 stars dressed by Louis Vuitton in archive or pre-worn pieces – stepped in front of the cameras cradling her baby bump. No doubt family friend Nicolas Ghesquière is poised to whip up an LV romper when the bundle of joy arrives.
This article was originally published on Vogue UK.
