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The biggest night in fashion is here! You know what I’m talking about: Met Gala fashion! After a year-long hiatus, the Met Gala is officially back in 2021. This year’s Gala will be split up into two events, the first of which’s theme is “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” inspired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s next costume exhibition. Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton said in a statement American fashion is “undergoing a renaissance, with young American designers at the vanguard of discussions around diversity, inclusion, sustainability and conscious creativity.”
If you’re thinking September feels a little strange to be having the Met Gala, you aren’t wrong. It’s usually the first Monday in May. But the pandemic switched things around and we get a gala during fashion week. Yes, there’s a lot of style right now! Let’s get to it, shall we? Here are the best looks of the night — who is your best dressed?
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Ilana Glazer
The red carpet co-host is wearing an Aliette dress designed by Jason Rembert. The glowy makeup is a perfect addition. And those curls? Perfection thanks to stylist Sabrina Rowe using Amika products.
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Anna Wintour
Vogue‘s editor-in-chief is wearing a floral gown by Oscar de la Renta. And those jewels!
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Emma Chamberlain
Chamberlain was the first of the influencer crowd to hit the red carpet. She looks stunning in a Louis Vuitton gold mini! Her glam makeup was done by artist Kelsey Deenihan using Byredo makeup with skin prep with Colleen Rothschild Beauty products.
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Keke Palmer
The red carpet co-host slayed in a Sergio Hudson gown. Her hair and makeup are easily the best we’ve ever seen from her.
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Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney
Congresswoman Maloney made an important statement on the red carpet: equal rights for women.
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Timothee Chalamet
The Met Gala’s co-chair wore a white Haider Ackermann suit and Chuck Taylors. What could be more American than Chucks?
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Amanda Gorman
The poet took inspo for the Statue of Liberty for her stunning look, in a Vera Wang gown with a laurel (get it?) crown headpiece by Jennifer Behr and Chopard jewelry.
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Nicola Peltz
The actor is a Valentino barbie looking gorge in hot pink. Hairstylist Jenny Cho styled the actor using a combination of R+Co and R+Co BLEU products.
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Maisie Williams
American goth is alive and well in Thom Browne! The bleached brows on the actor are a great touch.
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Julia Garner
Garner is an ice queen in Stella McCartney. Her curls are looking flawless thanks to hairstylist Bobby Eliot and Living Proof products.
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Ella Emhoff
The Vice President’s stepdaughter is also wearing Stella McCartney. She added gorgeous jewels to her face for some extra glam.
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Dan Levy
Did you expect Levy to play it safe? We’re so glad he didn’t in this ultra-cool Loewe ‘fit. Hairstylist Laila Hayani partnered with American Crew to give him that slicked-down hair.
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Barbie Ferreira
It’s Barbie’s first Met Gala and she did not come to play in this burlesque-inspired beaded gown. She wore a Swarovski crystal and pearl bustier fringe gown designed by Jonathan Simkhai. The gown was embroidered with thousands of Swarvoski crystals and pearls and took more than 100 hours to create. The vintage curls are by stylist Malcolm Marquez using Amika products.
Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP.
Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP.
Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP.
Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X wore three Versace outfits to the Met Gala. The first was an ornate cape covered in intricate gold beading. The cape was also royal inspired with a long, flowing train. When Nas took off the cape, he revealed his second look: a golden suit of armor. Under the armor was his third look, a bodysuit covered in crystals and Versace’s signature house print. And if you think his skin is looking great, well, you can thank makeup artist Grace Pae who gave the performer a SolaWave treatment pre-show. It’s a mixture of red light therapy, microcurrent, therapeutic warming and facial massage.
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Billie Eilish
Eilish wore a pale pink tulle Oscar de la Renta gown with a 15-foot train to the Met Gala inspired by old Hollywood actresses like Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe, according to The New York Times. Though, she did tell Palmer during the livestream that she was also inspired by Holiday Barbie! The ’60s-inspired makeup look is by artist Rob Rumsey. He prepped her skin with BYBI products and applied Charlotte Tilbury makeup, including the brand’s Supernudes Face Palette in Nudegasm.
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Naomi Osaka
Naomi wore a Louis Vuitton outfit to the Met Gala that consisted of a custom corseted dress with a colorful, graphic jacquard and a silk cape featuring 22 ruffles, 18 meters of leather satin and a 50-meter silk hem. The dress also featured a digital watercolor art piece designed by Naomi’s sister, Mari. The illustration included a Koi fish, a reference to Naomi and Mari’s Japanese heritage.
“The first time I met Nicolas we spoke not only about me working with Louis Vuitton as a brand ambassador, but also about how we could find ways to work together and even try and co-design,” Naomi told Vogue. “So it’s a dream come true for me that our first design collaboration is something I will wear on the Met red carpet. The fact that Nicolas, Mari, and I could come together bringing this to life is something I am very honored to be a part of.”
That incredible hair was done by artist Marty Harper using Dyson and NatureLab. Tokyo products. Her makeup is by Jessica Smalls using a not-yet-released Glossier essential eyeshadow trio!
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Saweetie
Saweetie wore a custom Christian Cowan gown that represents her biracial identity. “My cape represents the Black American heritage flag and the Filipino flag,” she told Entertainment Tonight, noting that the look “is very heavy…and I have 10 million crystals on me right now.”
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Yara Shahidi
The actor wore a custom strapless Christian Dior gown, which was embroidered with intricate beading. The look also included a thin belt and elbow-length gloves and a diamond choker. She revealed in an interview with Ilana Glazer on the Met Gala livestream the look was inspired by Josephine Baker. Makeup artist Emily Cheng used Dior products on the star (as well as the Pause Fascia Stimulating Tool).
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Troye Sivan
The singer wore a slinky black dress to the Met Gala by gender-neutral label Altu. He posted a video on his Instagram before the event of him cat walking and tagged Cartier, which also added in the look.
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Serena Williams & Alexis Ohanian
The athlete attended the Met Gala in a Gucci silver bodysuit with embellished stars and a feathered cape with an ombré train. She walked the red carpet alongside her husband, Alexis Ohanian.
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Iman
Iman turned heads at the Met Gala with a bristly chandelier dress and a matching headpiece by Harris Reed.
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Elliot Page
The actor wore a classic black tuxedo with matching black sneakers to the Met Gala.
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Storm Reid
The Euphoria star wore a pink ensemble to her first Met Gala. A day before she attended the event, she posted an Instagram video of her receiving the invitation to attend. “I just got a Met invitation” she said before taking a step back and yelling, “LET’S GOOO!” We’re loving the new blonde hair!
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Kaia Gerber
Gerber, the daughter of Cindy Crawford, wore a black Oscar de la Renta gown that referenced a Halston design Bianca Jagger wore to the 1981 Met Gala.
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Jennifer Hudson
Hudson wowed at the Met Gala in a red mermaid dress with flowy sleeves and a train.
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Karlie Kloss
The Project Runway host walked the red carpet at the Met Gala in a red dress with structured shoulders and a long train.
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Addison Rae
The TikTok star attended her first Met Gala in a red dress and a platinum blonde wig. She’s wearing 3004 Tom Ford for Gucci. Hairstylist Adir Abergel styled her hair using Virtue products.
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Ben Platt
The Broadway star went for denim Americana Christian Cowen ‘fit.
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Lorde
The singer wore Bode on the red carpet, making everyone’s jaws drop. The natural-looking hair was done by Cameron Rains for Matrix and the makeup by Amber D with Pat McGrath Labs.
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Lourdes Leon
Madonna’s daughter is channeling her mom in Jeremy Scott for Moschino. Marcelo Gutierrez did her makeup, while Evanie slayed her long hair with René Furterer products.
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Irina Shayk
The model showed off her new chop with a sheer floral gown. Hairstylist Harry Josh gave the model “soft, sleek, touchable hair with natural body” — according to a rep for the brand — with the help of KMS products.
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Madison Beer
Beer is wearing a custom One Of gown in pale juniper silk chiffon, encrusted in Swarovski crystals.
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Tracee Ellis Ross
Ross truly never disappoints — and definitely not in this Balenciaga Couture look!
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Allyson Felix
The American track and field sprinter looked like a furry goddess on the red carpet. Get a peek at the stunning makeup, too. It’s by makeup artist Autumn Moultrie using KVD Beauty.
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Amandla Stenberg
Thome Brown has never looked so good! Her makeup was done by artist Kali Kennedy using Byredo makeup and the cornrows are by Vernon François for Dyson.
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Chloe Bailey
Bailey is channeling old Hollywood glamour in this white gown with major jewels.
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Ciara
The singer worked with Dondas to create this gown emblazoned with her husband’s football number. (Sorry, I don’t know anything about sports.) As for the beauty, makeup artist Yolonda Frederick prepped her skin with Glow Recipe products and applied Iconic London makeup. Hairstylist Cesar DeLeon Ramirez finished the hair with Paul Mitchell products.
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Emily Blunt
Blunt stunned in a sparkly Vera Wang gown. Makeup artist Jenn Streicher used Chantecaille makeup for her shimmery glam.
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Gemma Chan
Has the actor ever looked better? Her Prabal Garung black mini with huge bow took over the red carpet. As for the glam, we can thank Daniel Martin For L’Oreal Paris.
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Chloe Bailey
Bailey told Palmer her look was inspired by Tina Turner!
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Jennifer Lopez
Lopez nailed the theme in American designer Ralph Lauren. Hairstylist Lorenzo Martin gave her the glam pony with Wella Professionals products.
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Justin and Hailey Bieber
Hailey is looking sleek in YSL (with Pat McGrath makeup) and Justin is wearing a design from his own label.
Image: Anthony Behar/Sipa USA.
Megan Fox
Fox went pin-up star glam with new baby bangs! The Dondas dress goes perfectly with the sleek hair. Kaling
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Mindy Kaling
The actor and producer wore a Tory Burch gown paired with statement earrings from the designer’s personal collection. Hairstylist Marc Mena created Kaling’s hairstyle using Better Not Younger products, while Janice Kinjo beat her face with Charlotte Tilbury makeup and skincare.
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Olivia Rodrigo
We’d say the singer switched it up from her girly VMAs looks! She’s wearing Saint Laurent tonight. Her makeup is by Molly Greenwald using Glossier products — included an unreleased eyeshadow color! Hairstylist Clayton Hawkins went more pulled-back with Rodrigo’s hair, using Dyson and Tangle Teaser products.
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Simone Biles
The athlete wowed the crowd in this intricate gown. Her makeup was flawless too, thanks to makeup artist Autumn Moultrie using KVD Beauty.
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Suni Lee
The American gymnast turned heads in a two-piece gold gown.
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Gigi Hadid
Hello, redhead! Hadid looked gorgeous in a white Prada dress and new ginger hair.
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Kendall Jenner
The Jenners love a sheer dress! We’re big fans of the bronzy glam makeup artist Mary Phillips did using Kylie Skin and Kylie Cosmetics.
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Gabrielle Union
The actor said her dress, like fashion, is “a living and breathing thing” that moves and changes as she walks! We can’t stop looking at it, and not at her hair and makeup either. Larry Sims is responsible for the braided ‘do, while makeup artist Fiona Stiles used Chantecaille to create a modern twist on a classic smokey eye and nude lip look.
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Kristen Stewart
Unsurprisingly, Stewart is wearing a Chanel suit that looks incredible on her. Her vintage-inspired hair is by Adir Abergel for Virtue.
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Kacey Musgraves
The singer went classic and “comfortable” (her words) in Ralph Lauren. The makeup is by Moani Lee with Pat McGrath Labs.
Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP.
Cara Delevingne
The model made a major statement on the red carpet in custom Dior. Hairstylist Mara Roszak went for a ’90s grunge look using Philip B. hair products. The makeup is also Dior, applied by artist Romy Soleimani.
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Normani
The singer looks like royalty in her Valentino dress! Makeup artist Rokael Lizama added to the glam using Haus Labs products, while hairstylist Yusef gave her a high bun using Dark & Lovely’s new Blowout Collection, K18 Leave-In Repair Hair Mask, Dyson tools and Y by Yusef brushes.
