Actress Blake Lively paid tribute to New York City as a parade of stars celebrated American fashion and Gilded Age glamour at the annual Met Gala, a party celebrating the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York.
Known for celebrities in over-the-top outfits, the so-called Oscars of the East Coast returned on its traditional date of the first Monday in May, just eight months after 2021’s pandemic-delayed event in September.
This year’s A-list guests were told to dress in “gilded glamour” for the annual fundraiser for the museum. The Gilded Age was a period in the late 1800s of — for some — huge wealth in the United States.
Lively, a Met Gala co-chair along with her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, arrived in a glittering bronze-coloured Versace dress influenced by New York’s Grand Central Terminal, the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.
The invitation-only Met Gala marks the opening of the annual fashion exhibition at the museum’s Costume Institute. This year’s exhibit, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”, caps a two-part exhibition and focuses on the history of American dress.
Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she was attending for the first time in 20 years to celebrate the fashion and spirit of America. Her burgundy gown featured subtle embroidery of the names of 60 famous American women including abolitionist Harriet Tubman and Madeleine Albright, the late secretary of state.
Nighttime Glam Highlights!
Here are some cool looks that were the talk of the town last night:
- Sequins & Neon Power: A dazzling garment that literally turned heads.
- Classic Couture: A sleek black dress paired with vintage pearls.
- Street‑Smart Swagger: Denim jacket, ripped jeans, and a splash of bold color.
- Retro Revival: High‑waisted pants topped off with a chic headscarf.
Each outfit brought its own flair, proving that style can make any night unforgettable.
Met Gala 2025: A Fashion Feast for the Ages
There’s nothing quite like the sparkle and drama of the Met Gala. As the city’s stars took to the red carpet, the streets were swept up in a whirlwind of couture, creativity, and a few well‑timed jokes.
Why the Met is the Ultimate “Who’s Who” Event
- Theme Power: Every year’s theme is a full‑blown movie plot, and 2025’s “A Night of Retro‑Future Fantasy” had designers literally unleashing their inner sci‑fi stylists.
- The Celeb Lineup: From pop icons to Hollywood heavyweights, everyone showed up, and that means everyone left… fewer selfies, but plenty of show‑stopper moments.
- Red Carpet Rules: One rule: “Be bold.” And I mean literally bold—luminescent sequins, metallic leggings, and a phoenix‑wing cape to name a few.
The Best (and Quirkiest) Looks
Glamorous Gladiators
Zendaya strutted onto the carpet in a shimmering, chrome‑gloss tutu that would make a robot blush. The feathered cape? Remember the time a single feather didn’t quite stay in place? It’s like playing “Hangman” with high fashion.
Steampunk Meets Hollywood
Angelina Jolie rocked a Victorian corset reimagined as a biodome, complete with “-0s. Too much? Maybe. But it felt like she’d stepped straight out of a Time‑Traveling Renaissance.
Glitzy Bizarre
Rihanna paired a sky‑blue sequined trench with a selfie‑stick shaped like a flirtatious heart. The result? A half‑blessed, half‑cloudy, totally pop‑perspective look for the ages.
Unorthodox Pairs
Chris Hemsworth swapped monster‑pants for a shiny aster‑field dress to keep the “Olympian” vibe. The cue? “It’s a 90’s cross‑genre event. Add a potion, and you’re transported to Atlantis.”
Why It’s Absolutely Heart‑Touching
The Met Gala isn’t just about clothes; it’s a celebration of art, culture, and the courage to push boundaries. When we see someone dress as a living gargoyle with neon ears, we remind ourselves that fashion is an open‑mic stage—audience: the world; performer: the daring souls among us.
Final Takeaway
Every year the Met Gala shakes up the ordinary and blurs artistry with life‑changing enthrallments. There are tears, yes—wondering if you’d drowned in your own makeup. But above all, there’s laughter…and plenty of cheeky cat hair.
