The second Monday in September has no significance in a normal year, but in 2021, it is the day the Met Gala, which has been unofficially dubbed the biggest fashion event of every year, took place. Themed “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”, the Met Gala returned after 16 long months of being on hold thanks to the pandemic. The Met gala 2021 red carpet was — in a word — sublime. After the events of the past year we’ve had, any taste of normalcy is a treat and that includes the spectacle of best dressed celebrities arriving at what some call the Oscars of fashion to their $30,000 seats. Many who attended the 2021 Met Gala on Monday were dressed to the nines, but some stars stood out from the rest on the red carpet. As usual, there were stars who obeyed the theme of the night and there were also those who did not, but instead went with their own themes. Personalities like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took the opportunity to make political statements as well.

AOC wearing a dress that says “Tax the Rich” | Photo: Jeff Kravitz

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made their red carpet debut in outfits that not only best communicated the theme, but also made a socio-political statement. Rihanna, who can be dubbed the Queen of Met Gala fashion, was decked in a larger-than-life structural coat dress that boasts a high collar and flare detailing. Her boyfriend, A$AP Rocky strutted beside her wrapped in a multi-colored quilted blanket ensemble. Speaking on her outfit choice, Rihanna was quoted saying: “The Black Hoodie is usually the thing that we are incriminated by as Black people. I wanted to empower that and take it and make it mine and make it fashion.“

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However, the interpretations on the night’s theme of “In America” saw an array of celebrities including Ciara, Normani, Ayeesha Curry, Billie Eilish, Kendall Jenner, Rihanna, Lil Nas X and many more, reimagine iconic American imagery, like Lady Liberty, the Wild West, fashion trends that started in America as well as plenty 30s-60s era fashion and lots of glamour. Attendees borrowed looks from the archives of legendary designers like Halston and Oscar de la Renta. Some also wore pieces by contemporary fashion designers including Christopher John Rogers, Pyer Moss, Prabal Gurung, and more.