This is America: A Recap of the 2021 Met Gala Red Carpet

Last night wasn’t the first Monday in May, but the Met Gala red carpet was in full swing. The guest list included A-listers Alicia Keys, Serena Williams, Lee Daniels, Chloe & Halle Bailey and more — all to support the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. The theme was American fashion, which seemed to create the perfect stage to showcase this country’s greatest contributions to the global fashion industry. I had high expectations that the creative energy put into styling would match that of the designers at the Battle of Versailles. But we are as divided on American fashion as we are on wearing mask and getting vaccinated. While some celebrities opted to wear American designers, there were some that gave a different take on the theme and those that ignored the assignment altogether. Here are some of the highlights from fashion’s biggest night.

Sustainable fashion took center stage.

It was great to see Gabrielle Union, Hailee Steinfeld, Tessa Thompson and Winnie Harlow pay tribute to Iris van Hepren. For years, Iris has been ahead of the curve creating sustainable 3D-printed dresses that are literally wearable art. 

Hollywood Glamour was referenced.

From Kelly Rowland to Yara Shahidi and Billie Eilish, “Old Hollywood” got its time in the limelight again last night. While these looks landed strong in the category, Hollywood glamour has been overdone. 

Emerging Designers took their seat at the table. 

Black designers are America. Our ancestors built this country brick by brick. So it’s refreshing and heart-warming to see today’s emerging designers of color find their place on this red carpet. It’s beautiful and I hope to see much more of it. 

The most daring statements were made. 

Kim Kardashian gave the most extraordinary and daring look of the night. The full covering spoke to the social anxiety many people feel coming back out into the world or the fear of day-to-day life during a pandemic. It was different and eye-catching. 

And for her first appearance at the Met gala, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a political statement. And since she was at fashion’s glitziest night, surrounded by some of the most powerful and famous people in the world, what better medium to get her message out about taxing the rich than to have it written in red on her dress? The Democratic socialist congresswoman wore a white gown by Brother Vellies, splashed with the political slogan across the back (the bottom curve of the “C” in “rich” nicely mirrored the tulle hem).

Nothing says American fashion more than denim.

We didn’t get too much denim on the carpet last night, but since the textile is so popular in the United States, it’s worth nodding to those who incorporated it in their looks. 

History was made. 

In the unusual place where sports seldom meets fashion, British race car driver Lewis Hamilton opted to use his star power for another cause: highlighting emerging Black talent. He bought a table at the Met Gala and invited four Black fashion designers/stylists as his guests. t’s a true example of “lifting as you climb".” 

At the table (L-R) US Olympian Miles Chamley-Watson, U.S. designer Kenneth Nicholson, Lewis Hamilton, U.S. designer Law Roach, Kehlani, stylist Jason Rembert, U.S. athlete Sha'Carri Richardson, Theophilio designer Edvin Thompson, and model Alton Mason.

The Red Carpet hosts were entertaining.

We may not be able to agree on fashion choices for the night, but we can all agree that KeKe Palmer was an amazing host. You could feel the excitement and the curiosity in her questions. She was funny and most importantly, she looked stunning. This Sergio Rossi look is nice nod to a Diana Ross reference. 

Here are my favorite looks from this year’s Met Gala. Click on the photo to read my commentary on each look.