So much is made of the fashion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit — otherwise known as the Met Gala — that it can be easy to forget the event is about more than clothes. It’s also a fund-raiser for the museum, which this year collected more money than ever since the gala began almost 80 years ago, as well as an opening party for new Costume Institute exhibitions. This year’s, called “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” is about the history and culture of Black dandyism.
The dress code for the gala on Monday was “Tailored For You,” an admittedly ambiguous assignment that, for many guests, meant suiting: There were pastel suits and pinstripe suits; three-piece suits and two-piece suits; pantsuits, skirt suits and suit dresses. Popular accessories included hats — and musical instruments (Jon Batiste brought a saxophone, and André 3000 walked in with a piano on his back).
Of the dozens of looks at the Met Gala, these 15 stood out as some that will be hard to forget, just like the blue carpet, which had a daffodil print that gave it more pizazz than the average red rug.
Diana Ross: Most Sweeping!
The disco queen paired a silvery dress with a feathered overcoat that she said was embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren. The coat had an 18-foot-long train, according to Vogue, which swept the floral carpet like a glamorous duster.
Colman Domingo: Most Checkmate!
After arriving in a blue floor-length cape, the actor and gala chair quickly changed into the type of fanciful men’s wear he is known for: a Valentino check jacket and high-waist pants accessorized with an ascot scarf and an oversize flower lapel pin.
Zendaya: Most White Wedding!
Months after she walked the Golden Globes carpet wearing a ring that spurred engagement rumors, the actress arrived at the gala in a Louis Vuitton suit that recalled the white ensemble Bianca Jagger wore at her wedding to Mick Jagger. (It also looked a lot like the white Dior ensemble worn by the “Shogun” actress Anna Sawai.)
Jennie: Most Mary Poppins!
The K-pop singer wore a skirted Chanel look that included strands of oversize pearls and a black hat trimmed in white ribbon. She said it took inspiration from 1920s fashion; to some it also evoked the wardrobe of a fictional nanny.
Venus Williams: Most Game, Set, Match!
The references may have been obvious, but the star athlete’s green ensemble of tennis-inspired separates beneath a long spangled coat was a grand slam.
Bad Bunny: Most ‘Night at the Museum’!
With a bowling bag in tow, the singer — who wore Prada — looked as if he had packed for an overnight stay at the Met.
The rapper’s natty Louis Vuitton look blended two of the house’s signature prints with a monogram belt buckle.
Lewis Hamilton: Most White Tie and Tails!
The Formula 1 driver and gala co-chair appeared to take the dress code quite literally, based on his ivory Wales Bonner ensemble involving a bow tie and a jacket with tails.
Tracee Ellis Ross: Most Rock Candy!
Though her mother’s look was hard to top, the actress kept pace in a two-tone pink and maroon suit by Marc Jacobs, which had a dramatic bow at the waist — and the palette and pointed edges of rock candy.
The designer’s black-and-white look embodied the type of one-of-a-kind garments that made him famous. Known as “knockups,” they feature remixed designer logos and are featured in the “Superfine” exhibition.
Jonquel Jones: Most Defying Gravity!
Topping the New York Liberty player’s dark Sergio Hudson suit was a tower of pearl-adorned hair.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Most Tied Up!
The novelist, a member of the gala’s host committee, wore a rocks around her neck and various neckties on the skirt of her feathered Prabal Gurung dress.
Christian Latchman: Most ‘Superfine’!
In a pale skirted suit by the brand 5000, the model brought to mind the “Superfine” exhibition’s theme, which wasn’t too surprising: He was featured in the cover image of its catalog photographed by Tyler Mitchell.
Lauryn Hill: Most Buttery!
The rapper and singer lit up the carpet in butter yellow, a shade that publications including The New York Times have deemed the color of spring. She accessorized her sculptural ensemble with a lake blue Hermès Kelly bag.
Whoopi Goldberg: Most Midas Touch!
The actress paired her Thom Browne ensemble with accessories that included a top hat, hoop earrings and metallic caps on her fingers. “I couldn’t get a manicure,” she said in an on-carpet interview.
Madison Malone Kircher, Misty White Sidell, Anthony Rotunno, Marie Solis and Stella Bugbee contributed reporting.
