It’s that time of year again, For the first time since its two-year hiatus due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Pop culture’s most famous faces all descended to New York City on Monday, September 13th, to take to the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate one of the biggest nights in the fashion industry: The Met Gala.

     The annual fundraiser to support The Met’s Costume institute returned to mark the opening of their latest exhibition, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” A-list actors, Musicians, Athletes, Supermodels, as well as Influencers, and Politicians all stepped on the red carpet (or off white carpet, to be more specific) to give their interpretation of this years theme

     This year, Gen Z took over the event. Each year the event chooses a few people to co-chair the gala and be the faces of the evening. This year’s group is all under 25, but even though they are young, this group offers some of the best talents Gen Z has to offer. As per the may announcement, the 2021 co-chairs are actor Timothée Chalamet, musician Billie Eilish, poet Amanda Gorman, and tennis player Naomi Osaka. “Each of the Met’s four co-hosts embodies the defining factor of American style: individualism,” Vogue wrote of the announcement. “They may approach the concept differently, but their shared passion for expressing themselves through clothing connects with the exhibition’s theme.” Alongside the Gen Z hosts, Tom Ford, Adam Mosseri, and Anna Wintour were the evening’s honorary chairs

     The event dubbed “The fashion Communities version of the Oscars” sets the tone for how fashion will be perceived for the coming year, and taking place the day after New York fashion week as well as The VMA’s, this gala proved no different. It was indeed an exciting night, and there were plenty of incredible red carpet moments. Here we’re rounding up students favorites, students least favorites, and some Insane Fashion at The 2021 Met Gala

10 Best

1. Kendall Jenner In Givenchy

The supermodel turned heads in custom Givenchy, paying homage to old Hollywood glamour while putting a Kardashian spin on it, resulting in a moment of stunning simplicity.

      2. Lil Nas X in Atelier Versace

The Rapper, fresh off his Video Of the Year win at the VMA’s, decided to give us performance art on the Red carpet and showcased not one, not two, but three incredible looks, as well as launching several C-3P0 memes as well.

     3. Amanda Gorman In Vera Wang

The poet who rose to fame after performing her breathtaking piece “The Hill we Climb” at the inauguration of Joe Biden, walked onto the steps of the Met in her Statue of Liberty inspired Vera Wang Gown and a matching purse with “give us your tired” inscribed on the front.

     4. Billie Elish in Oscar de la Renta

Billie Elish made her Met Gala debut in custom Oscar de la Renta, channeling what she described as “Marylin Monroe mixed with Holiday Barbie.” The musician struck a deal with the fashion house, that she would only wear the gown if they ceased all fur making and distribution.

     5. Nikkie De Jager in Marja Bennenbrock

More commonly referred to by her Youtube handle NikkieTutorials, the Dutch Beauty Guru made a powerful LGBTQ+ statement paying homage to trans icon Marsha. P Johnson. De Jager wrote on her Instagram, “Marsha P. Johnson paved the way for so many of us, and I hope I made my community proud tonight.”

     6. Lili Reinhart In Christian Siriano

The actress, best known for playing Betty Cooper on the teen drama Riverdale, incorporated nature into the theme, arriving in a semi-sheer Christan Siriano dress covered with flowers representing all 50 State Flowers.

     7. Barbie Ferreira In Jonathan Simkhai

The Euphoria star took us back in time with her pearl-encrusted Great Gatsby-inspired gown designed by Jonathan Simkhai, giving us a nod to a classic 1920’s flapper girl.

     8. Storm Reid In Prada

The actress best known for A Wrinkle In Time and Euphoria debuted a new blonde pixie cut to perfectly compliment her custom Prada Gown inspired by American can icon Lola Falana. Reid commented on her Instagram, “We looked to THE Lola Falana for inspiration to channel her energy and charisma and style.”

     9. Keke Palmer in Sergio Hudson

The Former Nick Star and co-red carpet correspondent for the evening channeled a true American icon, Diana Ross while serving up 70’s Glamour in her dress designed by fashion up and comer Sergio Hudson.

     10. Timothée Chalamet in Haider Ackermann, and Converse

The Gen Z superstar broke Met Gala rules by mixing multiple designers on the red carpet by serving 2020 in a nutshell with his fashion choices formal on top, sweats on the bottom, and when it comes down to it, what’s more American than converse sneakers.

10 Worst

1. Serena Williams In Gucci

The tennis legend is known for giving gorgeous Met Gala looks, but this year she gave us a lot of confusion and loud colors in head-to-toe Gucci, and needless to say, nothing flowed, and there was a lack of synergy. 

     2. Addison Rae In Tom Ford For Gucci

The influencer made her Met Debut in a vintage Gucci dress designed by Tom Ford. Rae tried her best, but some felt she wasn’t ready for the Met Gala as this didn’t seem elevated enough. Sometimes playing it safe doesn’t work in your favor. 

     3. Kim Kardashian In Balenciaga

The reality star (if that even is her) made her first appearance on the Met Steps without former husband Kanye West by her side in custom Balenciaga. While we can appreciate making a bold fashion statement, this just felt uncomfortable; many ties were made to Kardashian looking like a dementor from J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series.

     4. Anna Wintour In Oscar De La Renta

The Editor In Chief of Vogue, dubbed the “Queen of The Met Gala,” is known for giving show-stopping looks one would expect from the editor of U.S Vogue. Still, this year her Oscar De La Renta trumpet gown is giving an unflattering pattern most would find on their grandmother’s couch.

     5. Dixie D’Amelio In Maison Valentino

The 20-year old influencer most known for posting dance videos on Tik Tok attended her first Met Ball in Maison Valentino. D’Amelio commented that she was channeling actress Audrey Hepburn in her Look. Sadly most people thought it wasn’t pre-portioned well, and the feathered hat drew too much attention from the rest of the garment.

     6. Olivia Rodrigo In Yves Saint Laurent

The singer-songwriter who made her breakthrough with her song “Drivers Licence” attended her first Met Gala In Yves Saint Laurent. The garment wasn’t necessarily bad. However, many thought It was punk fashion and therefore not on theme of American Fashion.

     7. Tracee Ellis Ross In Balenciaga

The star Of ABC’s Black-Ish decided to channel her mother Diana Ross in her mahogany-inspired Balenciaga trench coat, as well as debuting a bob wig. Still, most felt it was giving more Edna Mode from the Incredibles than Diana Ross.

     8. Lourdes Leon In Moschino

The daughter of the queen of pop Madonna burst onto the steps of the Met in her hot pink Moschino gown, but this was giving Prom dress mixed with early 2000’s fashion (which we all know is not great), and the rhinestones only made it tackier.

     9. Jennifer Lopez in Ralph Lauren

The singer Is well known for turning it out on the steps of the Met. Unfortunately, this year she failed to do so, the dress wasn’t flattering, and the cowboy hat was a very interesting accessory choice.

     10. Shawn Mendes In Michael Kors

The singer-songwriter attended the Met Gala wearing Micheal Kors and choosing to be without a shirt which no one asked him to do, also adorning a necklace that looks like a jump rope and shoes that look like lethal weapons: this look falls flat.

Most Mixed Opinions

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Brother Vellies

The Representative For New York’s 14th congressional district turned heads and made a huge political statement in her custom gown designed by Aurora James, the founder and creative director for Brother Vellies. Some thought it was sending the right message. Others thought it was very ironic as the message was on display at an event where tickets start at 35,000 Dollars.

     With so many unique takes on what American fashion means in 2021, one thing is sure this year’s Met Gala will shape how American fashion will be perceived for years to come.