Met Gala 2021 came, it saw, and it conquered.
Known as “fashion’s biggest night out,” the annual red carpet was muy fuego! Every year (except last year due to Covid) the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York gathers celebrities and fashion icons in one space for a night of extraordinary fashion and fundraising.
Each year there is a theme and outlandish outfits that make you double-take. 2021 didn’t disappoint in either aspect. This year’s theme was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” and the following celebrities went for it, from cowboy-themed outfits to dresses that honor icons and more.
1
Eiza Gonzalez
Va va voom! Actress Eiza Gonzales wore a scarlet Versace gown. And we mean it. She. Wore. That. Dress. Don’t be shocked if you see a petition to have this shade of red named after her. The dress featured a thigh-high slit with a small train. Basically, she was fire on the carpet. So much so that actor Simu Liu can be seen checking her out. Can you blame him?
2
Jennifer Lopez
Yee haw! Jennifer Lopez, brought the wild west to the Met Gala carpet in her dress by Ralph Lauren. Complete with a cowboy hat, the singer and actress added a gigantic medallion necklace and fur coat and to her look. P.S. Internet, don’t go wild over her choice of jacket. The star made sure to add the hashtag #FauxFur.
3
Maluma
Maluma clearly had the same western idea as JLo. The artist described his Versace outfit as that of a “vampire cowboy.” The red pantsuit came with a bedazzled glove that included the name of his album, Papi Juancho.
4
MJ Rodriguez
Mj Rodriguez knows how to work a carpet. The Emmy-nominated actress wore a Thom Browne Victorian-inspired dress suit. The outfit featured a crisp white button-down blouse with balloon-like sleeves. On the bottom was a tight corset that flowed out into a pleated skirt. She topped off the look with bright red nails and lipstick.
5
J Balvin
Fresh off his weekend of performing in Las Vegas, J Balvin made his Met Gala debut on Monday night wearing Moschino. The reggaeton hitmaker wore a black suit with a matching facemask, both completely covered with embroidered flowers. He of course wore a chained necklace with his signature smiley face on it.
6
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
AOC used her outfit to deliver a message, “Tax the Rich.” She says of her white dress with red lettering, “The time is now for childcare, healthcare, and climate action for all. Tax the Rich.” The ensemble was designed by The Brother Vellies’ Aurora James, a Black woman and immigrant designer who won the CFDA (The Council of Fashion Designers of America).
7
Leylah Fernandez
Leylah Fernandez put down her tennis racket from her Grand Slam Final and picked up a black and white dress from Carolina Herrera inspired by tennis icons Venus and Serena Williams. The young athlete walked the carpet in high black heels and a fresh-looking face.