BEST OF THE MET GALA 2021: “AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE”

BY LAUREN KNOWLES // DIGITAL EDITOR

There is no day in fashion like Met Monday. Though it wasn’t the first Monday of May as per tradition, we still felt the magic of the Met as we eagerly anticipated its arrival for the first time in over two years. 

Timothée Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Naomi Osaka and Amanda Gorman made history as the youngest co-chairs in Met Gala history alongside honorary chairs Anna Wintour, Tom Ford and Adam Mosseri. Talk about name dropping, right?  

Last we saw of this event, we were getting lost in the fashionably absurd world of Camp—but this year we explored themes of “American Independence” drawing inspiration from the “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” exhibit.

We waited long enough for the return of the Met, so we won’t make you wait any longer to see our top picks.  Here’s our best of the Met carpet 2021: 


BILLIE EILISH

Inspired by none other than Marilyn Monroe, Billie Eilish blew us away with her custom Oscar de la Renta ode to Old Hollywood. True elegance exudes from this dreamy blonde and blush colour combo—and we love the juxtaposition of the sculpted corset with billowing tulle. We crown Billie the belle of the ball.

 

BARBIE FERREIRA

Barbie Ferreira served pearls for the girls. The Euphoria star’s off-the shoulder gown by Jonathan Simkhai is a total fringe fantasy paired with thin brows and pin-curls that bring vintage American glamour to mind.

 

IMAN

Iman shut down the carpet in this showstopping collaboration between designer Harris Reed and Dolce & Gabbana. Inspired by grand shapes, American showgirls, and their glitzy costumes (as we can see in a mood board snapshot from Reed’s Instagram), this golden headpiece is fit for the Met exhibit itself.

 

ANOK YAI

Helloooooo Hollywood! Anok Yai embodied the spirit of an old Hollywood starlet in this  crystal plunging gown by Oscar de la Renta—styled with a classic black boa of course. And what would a star be without her jewels? Custom Ana Khouri jewelry is on clear display here—courtesy of the perfect pixie cut.

GIGI HADID

We know Americans aren’t exactly in favoUr of a monarchy, but Gigi Hadid looked to be a Prada princess on the Met carpet. This fiery ponytail channeled ‘60s volume with blue eyeshadow to seal the deal. Of all the gloved looks we saw this year (which, by the way, were a LOT), our girl Gigi did it best.