The Best (and Most Outrageous) Fashion Moments From the 2022 Met Gala

2 minute read

On the first Monday in May, art and fashion enthusiasts alike ascended the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s stairs to celebrate fashion’s biggest night, the Met Gala. This year’s gala theme, Gilded Glamour, provided ample fodder for creative interpretation as well as endless opportunities for fashion statements. The theme is a nod to the museum’s exhibit itself, In America: An Anthology of Fashion.

Some attendees took a historical approach to their looks, including Sarah Jessica Parker who wore a sweeping Christopher John Rogers gown and Philip Treacy fascinator and Billie Eilish who donned a Gucci gown that was made entirely of existing materials for attire that was as sustainable as it was showstopping. Others took a more opulent interpretation of the theme, focusing on the glitz and richness of “Gilded,” like Cardi B’s Atelier Versace column gown made of jewelry and Lizzo’s gold embellished Thom Browne cape ensemble that she cheekily accessorized with her flute.

For some, the city in which the event took place was inspiration enough—Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys both sported looks (his, a team jacket and snapback over a tux; hers, a sparkling gown and cape with the NYC skyline on it) designed by Ralph Lauren and inspired by their hometown of New York City, while gala co-chair Blake Lively wore an Atelier Versace gown that changed colors from bronze to aqua, symbolic of the the Statue of Liberty’s patina. For others, however, American pop culture was all that was needed to compose a striking outfit. Kim Kardashian closed out the red carpet arrivals in the dress that Marilyn Monroe famously wore to sing “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962.

Here’s a look at the best (and most outrageous) looks from the Met Gala red carpet.

 

Lizzo arrives at The 2022 Met Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2 in New York City.
Lizzo arrives at The 2022 Met Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2 in New York City.Arturo Holmes—MG22/The Met Museum/Vogue/Getty Images

 

The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" - Arrivals
Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.Dimitrios Kambouris—The Met Museum/Vogue/Getty Images
The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" - Arrivals
Gigi Hadi.Jamie McCarthy—Getty Images
Sarah Jessica Parker at the Met Gala
Sarah Jessica Parker.Angela Weiss—AFP/Getty Images
Normani attends the Met Gala
Normani.John Shearer—Getty Images
Tessa Thompson at the Met Gala
Tessa Thompson.Kevin Mazur—MG22/The Met Museum/Vogue/Getty Images
Alessandro Michele and Jared Leto attend the Met Gala
Alessandro Michele and Jared Leto.Jamie McCarthy—Getty Image
Cardi B attends the Met Gala.
Cardi B.Jamie McCarthy—Getty Image
Anna Wintour at the Met Gala
Anna Wintour.Angela Weiss—AFP/ Getty Images
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds at the Met Gala
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.Matt Winkelmeyer—MG22/The Met Museum/Vogue/Getty Images
Evan Mock attends the Met Gala
Evan Mock.Kevin Mazur—MG22/The Met Museum/Vogue/Getty

 

Billie Eilis attends the Met Gala
Billie Eilish.Kevin Mazur—MG22/The Met Museum/Vogue/Getty Images
Kim Kardashian attends The 2022 Met Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2.
Kim Kardashian.John Shearer—Getty Images

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Write to Cady Lang at cady.lang@timemagazine.com