Met Gala 2021 Theme: 29 Celebs Who Got It Right — See Photos
The Met Gala made its triumphant return on September 13, and the expectations surrounding Met Gala 2021 were understandably high. Social media was hungry for iconic photo moments, glamorous looks, and most importantly, seeing who actually followed the theme.
Fashion’s favorite night out isn’t just about serving looks but also acts as an extravagant fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The exclusive soirée also marks the opening of its annual spring exhibition. This year the exhibit theme was close to home and split into two parts. The first part is titled “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” and is a celebration of American design.
Despite what many might argue, American fashion has a rich and iconic history that fans were hoping to see play out on the white carpets of the Met Gala. With such source material, the options were endless and the room for interpretation ample. There’s the classic Calvin Klein, the vintage Ralph Lauren, and even the nostalgic Juicy Couture. There's also the option to pay homage to tradition by furthering innovation – i.e. supporting aspiring or young American designers.
Each year, the Met Gala never fails to draw a crowd of at-home fashion critics who both celebrate and side-eye every gown and suit. While some fans were left questioning whether everyone got the memo, we can’t overlook the shining list of stars who absolutely understood the assignment for the Met Gala 2021.
- John Shearer1/29
Gemma Chan
Actor Gemma Chan’s Prabal Gurung gown paid homage to Chinese-American actor Anna May Wong. She was a trailblazer and one of the first Asian American stars in Hollywood’s golden era.
- Taylor Hill2/29
Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper gave an Americana spin to the classic suit in Ralph Lauren. His suit jacket was inspired by the brand’s U.S. Olympics-themed Stadium collection from the ‘90s.
- Kevin Mazur/MG213/29
Kim Petras
Kim Petras made an unforgettable debut at the Met wearing a horse headdress designed by sustainable New York brand Collina Strada. Fun and on theme!
- Taylor Hill4/29
Nikkie de Jager
While Nikkie de Jager's whimsical gown was from an Amsterdam designer, it paid homage to American history. Her dress featured a ribbon embellished with the phrase “pay it no mind.” The quote was made famous by trans activist Marsha P. Johnson, who led the Stonewall Riots in 1969, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ rights movement.
- Sean Zanni5/29
Billie Eilish
We’re still not over Billie’s breathtaking Oscar de la Renta gown. She brought the spirit of old Hollywood and the Holiday Barbie to the Met Gala carpet.
- Sean Zanni6/29
Kendall Jenner
Kendall graced the carpet in a bejeweled Givenchy dress designed by American creative director Matthew Williams. (Though the look was created as an homage to Audrey Hepburn, who was not American.)
- Taylor Hill7/29
Amandla Stenberg
Amandla Stenberg showed up at the Met wearing an innovative ode to Black culture. Wearing an American classic (Thom Browne), she styled her braids into a durag and looked flawless.
- Sean Zanni8/29
Timothée Chalamet
Hollywood’s golden boy and 2021 Met Gala co-host Timothée Chalamet looked like a modern-day prince in his Haider Ackermann tuxedo. He dressed down his swanky look with a humble pair of Converse Chuck Taylors – an American classic. You might love or hate his eclectic mix, but there's no denying that he nailed the theme!
- Ilya S. Savenok9/29
Paloma Elsesser
Model Paloma Elsesser was the only star to arrive wearing a piece by quintessential American designer Zac Posen.
- Mike Coppola10/29
Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer stole the show with her hosting skills during the red carpet and she also stunned in this dress by Black American designer Sergio Hudson. The look was an homage to Motown icon Diana Ross.
- Mike Coppola11/29
Lewis Hamilton
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton bought a table and invited three emerging designers to the Met in an effort to highlight underrepresented Black designers. Among them was Kenneth Nicholson, which he chose to wear.
- Taylor Hill12/29
Kehlani
The second one was Jason Rembert of Aliétte. The stylist-turned-designer dressed Kehlani in this custom two-piece suit.
- Mike Coppola13/29
Ilana Glazer
Met Gala red carpet host Ilana Glazer also wore an Aliétte gown, and looked nothing short of an ethereal dream in it.
- Taylor Hill14/29
Sha'Carri Richardson
The third designer Lewis Hamilton invited was Teen Vogue's Generation Next alum Theophilio, who dressed athlete Sha’Carri Richardson.
- Mike Coppola15/29
Alton Mason
The Jamaican-American designer also dressed model Alton Mason.
- Taylor Hill16/29
Natalia Bryant
Natalia Bryant also honored the theme by choosing to support American talent. The Teen Vogue cover star was a walking celebration in her sequin dress from Bedford designer Conner Ives. The showstopper is from the designer’s Fall-Winter 2021 collection, which is very fittingly called “The American Dream.”
- Taylor Hill17/29
Ciara
It doesn’t get more American than football. Singer Ciara arrived wearing a lime sequin Peter Dundas dress inspired by her husband’s team, the Seahawks.
- Taylor Hill18/29
Tyler Mitchell
Preppy is in! Just take a look at photographer Tyler Mitchell’s baseball-inspired suit by tailor-made, New York-based brand Bode.
- Theo Wargo19/29
Lorde
New York brand Bode also designed Lorde’s two-piece gown and headdress. The custom piece is an ode to America’s arts and crafts movement.
- John Shearer20/29
Leon Bridges
Texas singer Leon Bridges brought the essence of the south to the Met ball, also wearing Bode.
- John Shearer21/29
Christopher John Rogers and Jordan Alexander
New Gossip Girl star Jordan Alexander looked breathtaking in an LGBTQ+-inspired flag dress by Louisana-born and Brooklyn-based designer Christopher John Rogers, with whom she walked up the iconic Met stairs she knows so well.
- Mike Coppola22/29
Lupita Nyong'o
Is there anything more American than blue denim? Lupita’s couture Versace ensemble proves why the fashion staple is so timeless, and how you can still nail the theme while wearing a European designer.
- ANGELA WEISS23/29
Kaia Gerber
Model Kaia Gerber looked like a vintage '50s star in her custom Oscar de la Renta gown. Hollywood glam all around.
- Mike Coppola24/29
Jeremy O. Harris
Playwright Jeremy O. Harris’s Tommy Hilfiger look may look familiar. His oversized yellow and silver coat is an exaggerated version of the same one worn by icon Aaliyah back in the ‘90s. American designer with American influence.
- John Shearer25/29
Precious Lee
Model Precious Lee shut it down in an ultra-glam silver blazer dress designed by New York brand AREA.
- Taylor Hill26/29
Quannah Chasinghorse
Fresh off her NYFW debut, model Quannah Chasinghorse made sure to highlight her Indigenous roots wearing jewelry from former Miss Navajo Nation Jocelyn Billy Upshaw's own collection – and it doesn't get much more American than that. The pieces were reportedly explicitly flown into NYC for Quannah to sport at the Met.
- Dimitrios Kambouris27/29
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna
Rihanna may have shown up in Balenciaga, a European house, but her casual look was a couture critique on the black hoodie, a wardrobe staple that Black communities have historically been criminalized for. Meanwhile, A$AP wore a quilt by L.A. label ERL, representing the patchwork of cultures that make up America.
- Mike Coppola28/29
Jackie Aina
Beauty influencer Jackie Aina made her Met Gala debut in style. She was a Barbie fantasy wearing a fuschia dress designed by Fe Noel.
- John Shearer29/29
Barbie Ferreira and Jonathan Simkha
Euphoria star Barbie Ferreira looked straight out of the roaring ‘20s in her gown, by New York-based designer Jonathan Simkhai.
