Amidst a rainy backdrop, shimmers of “gilded glamour” flashed on the carpeted steps while artists, actors and celebrities arrived for the 2022 Met Gala “In America An Anthology of Fashion.” Returning to its original date just six months after the last, this year’s event featured a wide range of looks with each guest honoring powerful women in history, the beauty of New York City and the gilded age of both past and future. Dainty beading, gold stitching, black sheer and boxy skirts with long trains dominated in front of the cameras as designers collaborated with their star muses for the night.

 

Blake Lively opened the carpet as a silhouette of lady liberty in a custom Atelier Versace gown made with copper detailing that unfolded into a bright blue green. The dramatic transformation was a nod to the exquisite architecture throughout the city and its tendency to patina. Following in her footsteps, Alicia Keys wore Ralph Lauren with a studded embroidery of the city skyline on the end of a black cape, while her husband, Swizz Beatz, came in Ralph Lauren as well with a New York Yankees varsity jacket paired on top of a white tuxedo jacket.

 

Designers were tasked with creating thematic looks in a quick turnaround from last year’s gala. Some like Moschino decided to start from scratch dressing Vanessa Hudgens, one of Vogue’s red-carpet hosts, and Khloe Kardashian for her first Met Gala. Thom Browne constructed Lizzo’s iconic black corseted dress and spent 1,200 hours hand-stitching her overcoat. Others decided to honor the theme by using sustainable materials to celebrate the gilded age as a period where fashion was breaking free from tradition but sticking to its classy roots. Gucci’s Alessandro Michele executed this by putting together Billie Eilish’s delicate look from all existing fabrics to preserve the past and mixing it with her present individuality.

 

Homages to historical women were paid by Kris Jenner’s inspired Jackie O look designed by Oscar de la Renta, and Hillary Clinton’s Joseph Altuzarra’s gown imitating a friendship quilt with the names of influential women embroidered along the edges. Velvety texture took over the steps by Normani in a Christian Siriano black two-piece and Regé Jean-Page in an Armani blue suit. However, Cardi B’s entrance alongside Donatella in a gold chained Versace dress with matching forearm chain armor monopolized attention. But as the carpet slowed, there was only one thought on everyone’s minds, where was Kim Kardashian? In a secret dressing room, a team of four were lifting a star-studded piece of history onto the celebrity icon. Debuting not only her new relationship with Pete Davidson, the last Kardashian closed the red carpet in Marilyn Monroe’s 1962 “Happy Birthday Mr. President Dress” she wore when she sang to John F. Kennedy.