Met Gala 2021: See all the fabulous looks from fashion's big night

Updated

The Met Gala? In September?

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute benefit gala is back. In fact, this year we'll have TWO fashion exhibitions and star-studded events at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City with the second event being held on the traditional first Monday in May.

The theme of the 2021 Met Gala is "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion," honoring the 75th anniversary of the Costume Institute and celebrating modern American fashion. How did celebrities and designers interpret that theme? Here are the must-see ensembles from the famous museum steps.

Related: The Met Gala? In September? Learn about the 2021 Met Gala theme, when the Met Gala is happening, how to watch the Met Gala in 2021 and what to expect.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian Met Gala 2021 (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Kim Kardashian Met Gala 2021 (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Be honest: Would you know that's Kim Kardashian if we didn't tell you? The Skims designer wore head-to-toe (and we mean head-to-toe) black Balenciaga.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky

Rihanna Met Gala 2021 (Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic)
Rihanna Met Gala 2021 (Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic)

Rihanna, as they say, always understands the assignment when it comes to dressing on theme for the Met Gala. Seen here with boyfriend A$AP Rocky, the Fenty designer and pop star sports a puffy coat-style gown with a matching beanie and tons of jewels.

Dan Levy

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

The "Schitt's Creek" creator and star chose a head-turning look by Loewe for his white carpet moment.

Related: The Met Gala is the place for dramatic fashion, and these over-the-top looks deliver.

Billie Eilish

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic)

The normally toned-down pop star went for all-out glamour at the Met Gala in this Marilyn Monroe-worthy gown by Oscar de la Renta.

Serena Williams

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum)

Serena Williams said her Gucci look was inspired by superheroes — and we can see why!

Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X Met Gala 2021 (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
Lil Nas X Met Gala 2021 (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

The boundary-pushing rapper and singer wore three full outfits on his journey up the Met steps, including a gold-plated suit of armor.

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid 2021 Met Gala  (John Shearer / WireImage)
Gigi Hadid 2021 Met Gala (John Shearer / WireImage)

Gigi Hadid is channeling her inner Jessica Rabbit in a Prada gown paired with new auburn locks.

Karlie Kloss

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

In a Carolina Herrera gown inspired by the American rose, Karlie Kloss made an entrance in red.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt 2021 Met Gala  (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
Emily Blunt 2021 Met Gala (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

This celestial look by Miu Miu is absolutely magical on the "Jungle Cruise" actress.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez 2021 Met Gala  (John Shearer / WireImage)
Jennifer Lopez 2021 Met Gala (John Shearer / WireImage)

J.Lo took the American theme to heart with accessories fit for the wild west ... a very chic wild west, that is.

Grimes

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

The Canadian musician had the perfect accessory to go with her dreamy ombre dress. No, not her partner, Elon Musk, but a full-blown sword.

Megan Thee Stallion

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Looking sugary sweet, the hit-making rapper wore a cotton candy-esque strapless dress with an asymmetrical hemline from Coach.

Maisie Williams

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (John Shearer / WireImage)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (John Shearer / WireImage)

"Game of Thrones" star Maisie Williams said her goth look at the Met Gala was inspired by another production: "The Matrix."

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson 2021 Met Gala (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum)
Kate Hudson 2021 Met Gala (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum)

In a pink two-piece and a matching feathered jacket draped just so, Kate Hudson is the epitome of glamour.

Regina King

Regina King 2021 Met Gala (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
Regina King 2021 Met Gala (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

With sparkly pinstripes and a gold-lined cape, Regina King made a stylish and sophisticated entrance in Michael Kors. And don't sleep on the purple streak in her hair!

Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves 2021 Met Gala  (John Shearer / WireImage)
Kacey Musgraves 2021 Met Gala (John Shearer / WireImage)

Kacey Musgraves donned a two-piece Ralph Lauren ensemble with a silky smooth silver skirt that showed off her knee-high boots.

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Nyong'o 2021 Met Gala  (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Lupita Nyong'o 2021 Met Gala (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Lupita Nyong'o paid homage to the most iconic American fabric of all: denim.

Normani

Normani 2021 Met Gala  (John Shearer / WireImage)
Normani 2021 Met Gala (John Shearer / WireImage)

The pop star has a Cinderella moment in this marigold Valentino ballgown with trendy puff sleeves.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart 2021 Met Gala  (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
Kristen Stewart 2021 Met Gala (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

Wearing her signature Chanel, Kristen Stewart pairs a sweet pantsuit with a retro high ponytail.

Amanda Gorman

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (John Shearer / WireImage)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (John Shearer / WireImage)

The inaugural poet and co-chair of the night's event said her Vera Wang look was inspired by the Statue of Liberty. She certainly looks statuesque!

Timothee Chalamet

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

At just 25 years old, the actor is already a style icon and a co-chair of the event (along with other Gen Z favorites, like performer Billie Eilish, tennis star Naomi Osaka and inaugural poet Amanda Gorman).

Iman

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Now that's a showstopper! Supermodel Iman stole the spotlight in a gold fringed number with an out-of-this-world headpiece that looked like a halo.

Pete Davidson

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

The "SNL" star confidently wore a black-and-white dress by Thom Browne on the white carpet. What you might not see? The hidden touches that honor his late father, who was a firefighter on 9/11.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union 2021 Met Gala  (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
Gabrielle Union 2021 Met Gala (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

Gabrielle Union chose to wear a show-stealing gown by innovative designer Iris Van Herpen for fashion's big night.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

AOC 2021 Met Gala dress (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
AOC 2021 Met Gala dress (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

The New York congresswoman let her politics do the talking in this straightforward white dress from designer Aurora James, founder and creative director of Brother Vellies (pictured with her here).

Related: Two congresswomen women used formal gowns to call for change.

Lorde

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic)

The "Solar Power" singer went for an ethereal look, complete with an eye-catching hairpiece.

Simone Biles

Simone Biles 2021 Met Gala  (John Shearer / WireImage)
Simone Biles 2021 Met Gala (John Shearer / WireImage)

Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles can add another athletic achievement to her list: Wearing an 88-pound dress to the Met Gala!

Addison Rae

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

The TikTok star turned Netflix actress showed off a new blond bob while wearing this corsetted red gown.

Natalia Bryant

Natalia Bryant 2021 Met Gala  (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)
Natalia Bryant 2021 Met Gala (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Natalia Bryant made her Met Gala debut in this bubbly, colorful dress.

Barbie Ferreira

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

"Euphoria" actress Barbie Ferreira was dripping in pearls and fringe with this ultraglam dress.

Tracee Ellis Ross

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

Tracee Ellis Ross is the queen of red carpets and this striking blue wrap gown is no exception.

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

It looks like Brooklyn Beckham is just as stylish as his fashion designer mom (or should we say mum), Victoria Beckham. He joins fiance Nicola Peltz on the white carpet.

Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner 2021 Met Gala  (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Kendall Jenner 2021 Met Gala (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

The "naked dress" has never looked more expensive than Kendall Jenner wearing custom Givenchy.

Ella Emhoff

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Red Carpet (Kevin Mazur / Getty Images For The Met Museum)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Red Carpet (Kevin Mazur / Getty Images For The Met Museum)

The fashion student and model made an instant splash when she attended the presidential inauguration in support of her stepmom, Vice President Kamala Harris. Now she's walking the Met Gala white carpet in a groovy red pantsuit with perfectly matching sneakers.

Storm Reid

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

Pretty in pink! The "Don't Let Go" actress was all about feminine embellishments in feathers and pink satin.

Kaia Gerber

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

The supermodel was following in her mom's footsteps (Cindy Crawford, of course) in this classic and classy strapless black ballgown.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld 2021 Met Gala  (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Hailee Steinfeld 2021 Met Gala (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Hailee Steinfeld, is that you? The "Dickinson" actress was nearly unrecognizable in a blond bob and Iris Van Herpen dress.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg 2021 Met Gala (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Whoopi Goldberg 2021 Met Gala (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Whoopi Goldberg is the opposite of a shrinking violet in this bold, ruffled look.

Carolyn Maloney

Carolyn Maloney 2021 Met Gala  (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Carolyn Maloney 2021 Met Gala (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who represents New York's 12th district in the House of Representatives, is making a political statement with her fashion statement. "I have long used fashion as a force 4 change," she wrote in a Twitter post while calling for the certification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson 2021 Met Gala (John Shearer / WireImage)
Jennifer Hudson 2021 Met Gala (John Shearer / WireImage)

Jennifer Hudson channeled her inner diva in this red, trumpet-skirt gown paired with a tall updo.

Eva Chen

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

As the head of fashion and shopping for Instagram, we're not surprised to see Eva Chen in a colorful showstopper of an outfit.

Anna Wintour

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Covered in florals, the Vogue editor-in-chief and belle of the ball (she's a longtime chairwoman of the event) told TODAY's Sheinelle Jones that she's wearing a vintage Oscar de la Renta gown.

Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (John Shearer / WireImage)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (John Shearer / WireImage)

New couple alert! The actor and Marchesa designer strode arm-in-arm up the Met's famous stairs.

Elliot Page

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (John Shearer / WireImage)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (John Shearer / WireImage)

The actor kept his look comfy with matching black sneakers to go with his toned-down tuxedo.

Emma Chamberlain

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

The YouTube star has shed her signature sweats for this high-glam look from Louis Vuitton.

Julia Garner

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

The "Ozark" star shined on the white carpet in this mesh-covered Stella McCartney column dress.

Ben Platt

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Looking groovy! The Broadway star, who is bringing his hit show "Dear Evan Hansen" to the big screen, rocked head-to-toe denim, bell bottoms and high platforms.

Tom Ford

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

The designer, who optimizes American luxury, was perfectly on theme at the 75th anniversary event.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer Met Gala 2021
Keke Palmer Met Gala 2021

Keke Palmer proves that sometimes the sexiest dresses show the least amount of skin. This slinky number with long sleeves and a turtleneck is sophistication at its finest.

Ilana Glazer

Ilana Glazer 2021 Met Gala  (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Ilana Glazer 2021 Met Gala (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Is there anything more glamorous than feathers? Ilana Glazer looks effortlessly chic in this light-as-air gown.

Rachel Smith

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (Theo Wargo / Getty Images)

With ruffles and polka dots, this sweet dress makes a statement on the white carpet.

Leon Bridges

The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (John Shearer / WireImage)
The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion - Arrivals (John Shearer / WireImage)

The soulful singer is just as smooth when it comes to fashion!

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