After a year and a half wait, Met Gala Monday was back yesterday and it’s safe to say that fashion twitter, and frankly, the rest of the fashion world was on the absolute edges of their seats. Considering there was no Met Gala in 2020, for glaringly obvious reasons, expectations this year were astronomically high, even higher than usual. The 2019 theme “Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion” could have bought some incredible looks, instead it was a notably mixed bag. Apart from Gaga and *that* iconic Brandon Maxwell look. As the Vogue live stream of the event started, the first time this has ever been streamed, people held their breath in suspense and excitement, waiting for the first glimpse of a famous face.

With a theme like “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”, looks really could’ve gone in so many directions. From references to stars and the colours of the American flag, odes to classic American designers to famous celebrities from the country and much more. It would seem, however, that the theme given to the Met Gala by the Metropolitan Museum was too vague, with the majority of guests failing to even slightly hit the theme. There was an odd lack of American designers being worn and an absence of clever references. It seemed the majority just followed their own theme, their own idea of what ‘American’ is, but perhaps that is exactly the point. How very ‘American’ and independent of them! Maybe the complete chaos and lack of coordination is just a direct consequence of all that is happening in America currently.

While many did disappoint, we can always count on at least a handful to bring us some joy, so let’s take a look at some looks that truly hit the nail on the head.

Billie Eilish

One of the stand out looks from the entire night was Billie Eilish in custom Oscar De La Renta. The singer, who has recently begun mixing up her look, chose to reference Old Hollywood, with her hair a nod to Marilyn Monroe. Over the top and opulent, this gown truly encapsulated the essence of Old Hollywood. Eilish agreed to wear Oscar De La Renta to her first Met if they would stop using fur in their future collections.

Yara Shahidi

Actress Yara Shahidi wore custom Dior in a nod to American-French entertainer Josephine Baker. The overall look was elegant and understated, and yet it commanded attention. This dress will be on everyone’s best-dressed list, there is no doubting this!

Kaia Gerber

Bianca Jagger was a stalwart of the fashion industry and Kaia Gerber chose to reference this last night, wearing an Oscar De La Renta gown modelled off the one worn by Jagger to The Met in 1981. The strapless black gown with floral detailing at the neckline is subtle yet effective.

Lupita Nyong’o

One word, denim. There are few things as American as denim, and wearing a denim dress as Nyong’o did is how you master this theme. The Versace dress featured beaded detailing, elevating the overall look making it Met Gala perfection.

Jennifer Hudson

Hudson wore an eye-catching crimson red gown last night, a clever and heartwarming nod to a look worn by Aretha Franklin in 1994. The singer-actress portrays Franklin in the film Respect which was released in America last month. The AZ Factory dress was a beautiful homage to an American legend of music.

Emily Blunt

Considering the theme for last night many expected to see swathes of stars, however, it wasn’t as prevalent as anticipated. However, Blunt used the famous image of Hedy Lamarr in Ziegfeld Girls (1940) as the inspiration for this Miu Miu look. The look dazzled and suited Blunt flawlessly.

Dan Levy

Levy made his Met Gala debut wearing a Loewe look that made a statement. Collaborating with Jonathan Anderson to put the outfit together, the dramatic costume was a powerful ensemble that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community across the globe but also in America. The look may be a tad intense for some people, but you cannot deny the impact of the statement.

Amanda Gorman

It was fair to expect at least one Statue of Liberty reference, and last night it came from poet Amanda Gorman. The look, styled by Jason Bolden, including several hints and nods to America. Gorman’s laurel shaped headpiece was an acknowledgement of her becoming America’s first National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017. Her clutch, shaped like a book, spelt out the phrase, “Give me your tired.”, a reference to the poem inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty.

Kendall Jenner

For last night’s event, Jenner wore a bejewelled Givenchy look, a look inspired by Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. This 2021 recreation is a modern, and far more sheer, version of the original gown from 1964. While Hepburn, and Givenchy, were not American themselves, their work together had a lasting impact on the fashion world globally, especially in glamorous Old Hollywood.