Met Gala 2022: The Red Carpet’s Most Memorable Looks
Every head-turning celebrity fashion moment from the 2022 Met Gala’s Gilded Glamour theme, plus style trends, event highlights, and iconic outfits.
Met Gala 2022: A Night of Gilded Glamour
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute hosted its annual Met Gala on the first Monday in May 2022, marking the triumphant return of fashion’s grandest night. Following a hiatus and a rescheduled fall event in 2021, this year’s gala resumed its storied May tradition, dazzling the world with imposing style, spectacle, and celebrity.
The 2022 Met Gala theme, ‘Gilded Glamour’, was a sartorial homage to America’s Gilded Age—a period from roughly 1870 to 1890 famed for its opulence, drama, and sweeping industrialization. With a white tie dress code, attendees were challenged to interpret this golden era through modern creativity, bringing together elaborate gowns, shimmering fabrics, ornate detailing, and larger-than-life accessories reminiscent of a transformative historical moment in American society.
What is the Met Gala and Its Significance?
Established as a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City, the Met Gala is the fashion industry’s most anticipated night, famed for its exclusive guest list, extravagant outfits, and boundary-pushing artistry. Each year, the event’s theme is aligned with the Institute’s annual exhibition, prompting A-list celebrities, designers, and influencers to collaborate on red carpet statements that set trends worldwide.
The Met Gala 2022 Theme: Gilded Glamour
The 2022 event carried the subtitle ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’, exploring the nation’s sartorial evolution during the Gilded Age. The challenge: to reflect grandeur, indulgence, and inventive style interpretations from this transformative chapter in history. Designers, stylists, and their superstar muses drew inspiration from gilded threads, corsetry, ruffles, bustles, metallic fabrics, and historic silhouettes.
- Date: May 2, 2022
- Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
- Dress Code: White Tie & Gilded Glamour
- Event Exhibition: In America: An Anthology of Fashion
Red Carpet Highlights: The Night’s Most Talked-About Looks
Fashion icons, Hollywood’s elite, musicians, artists, and athletes graced the legendary Met steps. Let’s dive into the most unforgettable entrances, style statements, and designer collaborations that defined the evening.
Blake Lively: Unwrapping Lady Liberty
Event co-chair Blake Lively delivered an awe-inspiring spectacle in a transformative Atelier Versace gown. Her rose gold dress unraveled on the stairs, revealing an oxidized copper-blue train—the perfect tribute to the Statue of Liberty and New York City’s architectural grandeur. An elaborate tiara, bustle, opera gloves, and sparkling embellishments cemented Lively as the night’s leading showstopper.
Kim Kardashian: Channeling Marilyn Monroe
Kim Kardashian set the red carpet abuzz by donning Marilyn Monroe’s original, iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress by Jean-Louis/Bob Mackie. The vintage piece shimmered with hand-sewn crystals and an aura of pop culture history, thrusting Kardashian into the evening’s limelight and sparking widespread conversation across fashion and media circles.
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Other Headlining Ensembles
- Ryan Reynolds: Classically tailored, elegant in a velvet suit—standing beside fellow co-chair Blake Lively.
- Billie Eilish: Dramatized Edwardian corsetry and eco-conscious upcycling in Gucci, exuding vintage femininity.
- Lizzo: An ornate, gold-embroidered Thom Browne coat, paired with a striking corset dress, and accessorized with a custom flute for musical flair.
- Janelle Monáe: Futuristic glamour in a custom Ralph Lauren beaded column gown and dazzling headpiece.
- Kendall Jenner: Subversive elegance in Prada, with bleached brows and a layered, sheer ballgown skirt.
Vintage & Couture Statements
- Emma Chamberlain: A vintage Cartier tiara and Louis Vuitton separates – cropped pintucked top and a dramatic sweeping skirt.
- Maude Apatow: Sleek black glamour in a Miu Miu gown, adorned with Cartier jewels.
- Kaia Gerber: Gold beaded Alexander McQueen gown, reminiscent of Botticelli’s aesthetic.
- Carey Mulligan: Dramatic black and gold look by Schiaparelli, channeling gilded elegance.
- Michelle Yeoh: Showcased sustainable style in upcycled green Prabal Gurung.
Key Trends at the 2022 Met Gala
While honoring the Gilded Age, celebrities also delivered modern twists and edgy interpretations. Some unmissable style trends included:
- Corsetry and Bustles: Echoing late 19th-century silhouettes, many gowns featured tight lacing, puffed skirts, and exaggerated trains.
- Shimmering Metallics & Gold: Gold, bronze, and silver hues appeared everywhere, from beading to full gowns to accessories, capturing the era’s decadence.
- Feathers & Embroidery: Intricate feather details and heavy embroidery nodded to the Gilded Age’s fascination with ornamentation.
- Sheer Fabrics: Sheer overlays and bold cutouts provided a contemporary edge, fusing tradition and innovation.
- Regal Headpieces: Tiara, diadems, and dramatic hats signaled grandeur and individual creativity.
Notable Red Carpet Duos and Groups
- Pete Davidson & Kim Kardashian: Davidson in classic Dior Men, Kardashian in Monroe’s iconic crystal dress.
- Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively: Fashion’s ultimate power couple, both in custom curated looks with thematic harmonization.
- The Hadid Sisters: Bella in gothic latex Burberry, Gigi in a dramatic Versace latex-and-duvet hybrid coat-dress; both interpreted Gilded Glamour in ultra-modern style.
Star-Studded Highlights: Who Wore What?
| Celebrity | Designer | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Blake Lively | Atelier Versace | Transformative dress, Lady Liberty tribute, dramatic tiara |
| Kim Kardashian | Jean-Louis / Bob Mackie (vintage) | Marilyn Monroe’s original dress, crystal embellishments |
| Lizzo | Thom Browne | Gold-embroidered coat, corset dress, custom flute |
| Bella Hadid | Burberry | Latex & corset combination, modern gothic twist |
| Kaia Gerber | Alexander McQueen | Gold beaded gown, Botticelli curls |
| Emma Chamberlain | Louis Vuitton | Vintage Cartier tiara, pintucked crop top, long skirt |
| Janelle Monáe | Ralph Lauren | Silver beading, headpiece, futuristic edge |
| Maude Apatow | Miu Miu | Classic black gown, Cartier jewels |
| Michelle Yeoh | Prabal Gurung | Upcycled emerald gown |
| Kendall Jenner | Prada | Sheer skirt, sculptural black top, bleached brows |
This table captures just a selection from the dazzling range of looks, with dozens more stars making memorable entrances.
Inside the Gilded Glamour: Event Details and Moments
The gala was co-hosted by Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Regina King, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Attendees traversed the stairway amid a backdrop echoing the ornate architecture of the Gilded Age. Several paid homage to both New York’s legacy and the Met’s role in codifying American fashion history, with nods to iconic locations and cultural symbols.
- Event performances and speeches reflected on art, diversity, and the evolving landscape of American fashion.
- The Met’s exhibition, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”, served as inspiration, showcasing period costumes, designer innovations, and stories of underrepresented historical figures.
The night thrived on playful risk-taking—whether through bold accessories, unexpected materials, oversized silhouettes, or overt historical references. Designers and celebrities approached the theme with visionary flair, balancing reverence for tradition with theatrical invention.
Style Inspiration: Designers and Houses Who Dominated the Night
- Versace: Breathtaking metallics, historical references, and architectural shapes.
- Prada: Contemporary minimalism fused with Gilded Age detailing, visible in star turns by Kendall Jenner and others.
- Thom Browne: Mastery of tailoring, luxe embroidery, and the evening’s most intricate coats.
- Ralph Lauren: Timeless American glamour reimagined for a new era.
- Louis Vuitton: Vintage elements and artisanal accessories.
- Schiaparelli: Scenes of surreal couture and ornate goldwork.
Individual designers and larger fashion houses collaborated closely with celebrities to deliver bold narratives, bringing history to life while making powerful statements on contemporary style and cultural identity.
After-Party Fashion and Social Buzz
As the red carpet festivities wound down, several celebrities swapped their elaborate gowns and suits for playful, slightly more relaxed looks at intimate Met Gala after-parties across New York. From sultry bridal-inspired attire to dazzling mini-dresses, stars continued to push the style boundaries late into the night—fostering even more social media chatter and meme-worthy moments.
- Kylie Jenner: Swapped her red carpet style for a unique bridal after-party ensemble.
- Kim Kardashian: Reportedly changed into a second Marilyn Monroe dress, continuing to honor the silver screen icon.
- Group photos and behind-the-scenes moments cemented the sense of camaraderie and shared creativity among designers, models, and stylists.
A Red Carpet Gallery: The Gilded Glamour in Images
While words tell part of the story, galleries across major fashion publications captured the breathtaking scope of the evening’s looks. Expect:
- Full-length gown shots, detailing fabric, texture, and movement.
- Close-ups of intricate accessories, from tiaras to emerald necklaces to beaded gloves.
- Candid moments: laughter, greetings, and spontaneous on-steps photo-ops.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the 2022 Met Gala theme?
The theme was “Gilded Glamour”, referencing America’s Gilded Age, and drawing fashion inspiration from the late 19th century’s opulence, extravagance, and inventive style.
Who co-chaired the Met Gala 2022?
Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Regina King, and Lin-Manuel Miranda served as co-chairs, each bringing their own sense of style and personality to the event.
Which celebrity look generated the most buzz?
Kim Kardashian’s appearance in Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress sparked significant conversation, both for its historical provenance and Kardashian’s bold choice to channel a Hollywood legend on the Met stairs.
What is ‘Gilded Glamour’ in fashion?
‘Gilded Glamour’ refers to a style echoing the lavishness, gold-embroidered designs, voluminous skirts, corsetry, and elaborate headpieces common during America’s Gilded Age, but interpreted through a modern lens for today’s red carpet statements.
How does the Met Gala influence the fashion industry?
The Met Gala drives design innovation, showcases collaborations between celebrities and leading fashion houses, and sets next-season trends by spotlighting new interpretations of historical, avant-garde, or conceptual style.
In Closing: The Enduring Power of Fashion’s Biggest Night
The 2022 Met Gala will be remembered for its splendid convergence of history, culture, and boundary-pushing fashion. From Blake Lively’s transformative Versace gown to Kim Kardashian’s museum-worthy treasure, the night celebrated not just individual style, but the collective creativity and audacity of designers, artists, and tastemakers shaping the future of fashion.
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