Held to raise funds for the Metropolitan
Museum of Art's Costume Institute, the Gala returns after being cancelled last
year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
And although its famous guests must follow
Covid-19 rules, including wearing masks indoors, that hasn't stopped many going
for all-out glamour.
This year's costume theme is "In America:
A Lexicon of Fashion" - and the looks were inspired by everything from the
Matrix film franchise to the Statue of Liberty.
The ball was co-hosted by pop star Billie
Eilish, tennis player Naomi Osaka, actor Timothée Chalamet and poet Amanda
Gorman.
One of the most talked-about looks of the
night came from the publicity machine that is Kim Kardashian - who covered her
face and body in an all-enveloping black outfit.
The custom design was devised by Demna
Gvasalia, the creative director of fashion house Balenciaga.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams
made a statement of a more colourful kind, wearing a star-spangled bodysuit
beneath a feather-laden pink cape.
Other attendees, meanwhile, brought along
props to accompany their outfits.
Without apparent explanation, singer Frank
Ocean carried a green robotic baby, while musician Grimes brandished a sword.
Among the last to arrive at the Gala was
Rihanna - who has stolen the show at past events, with outfits including a
Pope-inspired costume in 2018.
The singer and businesswoman turned heads once
again as she posed in an all-black Balenciaga overcoat, while her boyfriend,
rapper A$AP Rocky, swathed himself in a multicoloured quilt.
One celebrity who wasn't there was rapper
Nicki Minaj, who said she hadn't yet had a Covid vaccine, which was a
requirement of entry.
She has also been criticised for a post saying
people shouldn't be "bullied" into having the vaccine, telling the
story of a cousin's friend who allegedly became impotent after being
vaccinated, leading his fiancée to call off their wedding.
The US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention says: "Currently no evidence shows that any vaccines, including
Covid-19 vaccines, cause male fertility problems."
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| Gucci: Serena stepped out in a full Gucci ensemble, including a silver form-fitting body suit with red stars emblazoned on it |
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| Venus arrives: Serena Williams' sister Venus Williams also arrived at the Met Gala, wearing a flowing red Prabal Gurung gown |
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| Co-host Naomi Osaka showed off a colourful Louis Vuitton dress and elaborate hairstyle - said to be a nod to her Haitian and Japanese heritage |
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| Rapper Lil Nas X first served up a regal robe... |
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...which he whipped off to reveal a golden suit of Versace armour... |
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| ...which he shed for a sequined bodysuit |
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| Kim Kardashian's look spawned a series of memes on social media |
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| The entrepreneur was accompanied by a man, believed to be designer Demna Gvasalia, who was also clad in all-black |
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| A$AP Rocky and girlfriend Rihanna arrived fashionably late, sporting contrasting outfits |
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Iman, the model wore Harris Reed. (Getty Images) |
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Megan Thee Stallion, The rapper wore a white gown by Coach. (Getty Images for The Met Museum/) |
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Kristen Stewart The actor debuted a new hairstyle. (Getty Images) |