The best-dressed celebrities at the Met Gala 2021

Check out all the best-dressed celebrities from The Met Gala 2021, including Billie Eilish, Lil' Nas X and Rihanna

Iman and Keke Palmer attend The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images For The Met Museum/Vogue)
(Image credit: Getty Images/Kevin Mazur/MG21 / Contributor)

Yes, the style gods have answered our prayers: the Met Gala 2021 delivered everything we needed and more. 

We saw A-listers use the spotlight moment to make politicals statements, like AOC's 'Tax the rich' dress, and Billie Eilish helping to end the use of fur at Oscar de la Renta.  Not to mention makeovers, like Gigi Hadid's incredible Met Gala hair.

When it comes to fashion, the Met Gala is the red carpet event of the year—every other event is just playing for second place, and yet again it's clear why.  

For the uninitiated, the Met Gala is an annual charity event that raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and signifies the opening of the annual fashion exhibit. Formerly known as the Costume Institute Gala, the event is where the fashion world, Hollywood, and music royalty collide, with the likes of Rihanna, Jennifer Lawrence, and Beyoncé all regularly bringing their A-game to the red carpet.

For a quick catch-up, we’d recommend streaming The First Monday In May, a documentary by Andrew Rossi, which tells the story of how the Met’s 2015 fashion exhibition "China: Through The Looking Glass" was put together. The story follows Andrew Bolton (the museum's curator and husband to fashion designer Thom Browne) as he puts together the magnificent exhibition, peppered with behind-the-scenes snippets like Anna Wintour deliberating over who gets to sit next to Bradley Cooper—a must-watch in our eyes.

Now that you're caught up on this history, let's dive into all the best looks from the Met Gala this year. 

The best-dressed at the Met gala 2021

Singer Billie Eilish arriving at the Met Gala wearing a gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gown


(Image credit: Getty Images/ Mike Coppola / Staff)

1. Billie Eilish in Oscar De La Renta

Billie Eilish wowed us all as she floated down the red carpet, in a stunning, Marilyn Monroe-inspired, Oscar de la Renta gown.

Kendall Jenner arriving at the Met Gala wearing Givenchy


(Image credit: Getty Images / ANGELA WEISS /AFP / Contributor)

2. Kendall Jenner in Givenchy

Kendall Jenner rocked a bedazzled, sheer dress by Givenchy. The 'naked dress' is really having a moment right now.

singer Rihanna and US rapper A$AP Rocky arrive for the 2021 Met Gala


(Image credit: Getty Images / ANGELA WEISS/AFP)

3. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky in Balenciaga and ERL

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were absolute couple goals as they walked the carpet together. Rihanna Stunned in a Balenciaga overcoat and matching hat, while A$AP wore a quilt-look coat by ERL.

Congress woman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a big statement at the Met

(Image credit: Getty Images / Jamie McCarthy/MG21 / Contributor)

4. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Aurora James

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a political statement with her bold 'TAX THE RICH' dress designed by Aurora James.

Kim Kardashian looked striking in a full body Balenciaga look, as she arrived at the Met Gala

(Image credit: Getty Images / Taylor Hill/WireImage)

5. Kim Kardashian in Balenciaga

We could not take our eyes off Kim Kardashian as she arrived in a dramatic full-body, black Balenciaga look.

Emma Raducanu looked incredible as she arrived at The 2021 Met Gala, wearing Chanel

(Image credit: Getty Images / Mike Coppola / Staff)

6. Emma Raducanu in Chanel

US Open Champion, Emma Raducanu made her Met Gala debut in Chanel.

Lil' Nas X was a vision in gold at the Met Gala, wearing Versace

(Image credit: Getty Images / Kevin Mazur/MG21 / Contributor)

7. Lil' Nas X in Versace

Lil' Nas X arrived at the Met Gala in a full-on, gold Versace suit of armor, and changed into this glittery Versace number.

Maisie Williams was a gothic queen as she arrived at the Met Gala in Thom Browne

(Image credit: Getty Images / Mike Coppola / Staff)

8. Maisie Williams in Thom Browne

Maisie Williams gave us goth and we love it! She wore a dress by designer Thom Browne and even rocked bleached eyebrows.

Chloe Bailey and Halle Bailey arrive for the 2021 Met Gala wearing looks by fellow sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte.

(Image credit: Getty Images / ANGELA WEISS/AFP)

9. Chloe and Halley Bailey in Rodarte

Sisters Chloe and Halley Bailey wore gorgeous looks by fellow sister designers, Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte.

Troye Sivan wore a dress by Altu and paired with platform Rick Owens boots to the Met Gala

(Image credit: Getty Images / Kevin Mazur/MG21 / Contributor)

10. Troye Sivan in Altu and Rick Owens

Troye looked elegant in an Altu look, paired with black, platform Rick Owens boots.

Diane Kruger wore a stunning, green dress by Prabal Gurung

(Image credit: Getty Images / Kevin Mazur/MG21 / Contributor)

11. Diane Kruger in Prabal Gurung

We are so obsessed with Diane Kruger's neon green Prabal Gurung look, which she paired with a striking, pink eye look.

Model Kaia Gerber was a vision in black as she arrived at the Met Gala

(Image credit: Getty Images / Angela WEISS / AFP)

12. Kaia Gerber in Oscar De La Renta

Kaia Gerber put on a stunning display in a black, classic Oscar de la Renta gown.

Hunter Schafer looked striking with white contacts in, and wearing Prada

(Image credit: Getty Images / Kevin Mazur /MG21 / Contributor)

13. Hunter Schafer in Prada

Hunter looked ethereal, wearing an armor-inspired look by Prada, with bold, white contacts in.

Michaela Coel was a vision in royal blue, wearing Balenciaga

(Image credit: Getty Images / ANGELA WEISS / Contributor)

14. Michaela Coel in Balenciaga

Michaela looked incredible wearing a sequin Balenciaga jumpsuit in a bright, royal blue.

Imaan Hammam arrived at the Met Gala in a stunning sheer gown

(Image credit: Getty Images / Jeff Kravitz / Contributor)

14. Imaan Hammam

Imaan gave us another sheer dress moment, the Versace star and crystal-encrusted dress is literally the dress of our dreams.

Indya Moore wore a contrasting Saint Laurent look

(Image credit: Getty Images / John Shearer / Contributor)

15. Indya Moore in Saint Laurent

Indya gave us a monochrome moment in Saint Laurent.

Amandla Stenberg wore a look by Thom Browne to the Met Gala

(Image credit: Getty Images / Kevin Mazur/MG21 / Contributor)

16. Amandla Stenberg in Thom Browne

Amandla Stenberg also opted for a contrasting white and black look in Thom Browne.

Iman looked heavenly in a big look from Harris Reed

(Image credit: Getty Images / ANGELA WEISS / Contributor)

17. Iman in Harris Reed

Iman delivered a true Met Gala show stopper in a custom Harris Reed outfit. Here she is pictured with the designer.

Naomi Osaka is pictured on the MET Gala 2021 red carpet wearing an outfit by Louis Vuitton and beauty look created by Marty Harper for NatureLab Tokyo

(Image credit: Getty Images / Angela Weiss)

18. Naomi Osaka in Louis Vuitton

Naomi Osaka is pictured on the MET Gala 2021 red carpet wearing an outfit by Louis Vuitton and beauty look created by Marty Harper for NatureLab Tokyo



Met Gala: The Details

Where to watch the Met Gala 2021:

Alas, those who are not actually invited to the Met Gala won't be allowed access to all of the stylish shenanigans happening inside, but at least we lay folk can enjoy all of the fashions outside. 

This year, you can live stream the red carpet and all of the celebrity attendees from home thanks to Vogue, with hosts Keke Palmer and Ilana Glazer serving as your MCs and interviewers for the evening. The live stream will be available to watch on Vogue's website or on the brand's Twitter account.

You can also watch all of the arrivals on E! alongside hosts like E! News' Nina Parker, stylist Brad Goreski and Queer Eye star Karamo Brown. 

When's the Met Gala 2021?

This year, the event did not take place on its customary first Monday in May—a date usually etched into our psyche—but instead was held on Monday, September 13th starting at 5:30 pm ET (that's 2:30 pm PT and 9:30 pm GMT.)

According to an Instagram post from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, there will be two galas: the first on September 13th, which will mark the end of the September 2021 fashion shows, and a second, with the same theme, in May 2022. 

The change comes as no surprise as countless events, including fashion weeks around the globe, have been canceled or postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Where is the Met Gala held?

Where else? The Met! More formally, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is the largest art museum in the United States and is located in New York City on Fifth Avenue and East 82nd Street. 

What is the theme for the Met Gala 2021?

The theme for the Met Gala 2021 is "In American: A Lexicon of Fashion." What that means exactly, only time will tell, but as a tribute to American style, we’re sure to see the likes of Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren, and Marc Jacobs, along with their stylish muses on the red carpet.

The Met Gala celebrates the intersection between fashion and art, and some highlights have been "China: The Looking Glass" in 2015, "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" in 2018 and "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between" in 2017. 

Who hosted the Met Gala 2021?

Pretty much all of our style crushes: Timothée Chalamet served as co-chair of the Met Gala 2021 alongside singer Billie Eilish, poet Amanda Gorman, and tennis pro Naomi Osaka. Designer Tom Ford and, of course, Anna Wintour herself will also serve as honorary chairs. 

Who was invited to the Met Gala 2021?

The tables are always the talk of the town, but the Met Gala seating chart 2021 in particular caused quite the commotion on social media. 

While the invite list is revealed prior to the event, a supposedly "leaked" seating chart featured the likes of Met Gala regulars such as Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez mingling with TikTok influencers like Addison Rae and the D'Amelio sisters. However, said seating chart was not leaked by any official sources, so take the rumors with a heap of salt. 

Beyond our aforementioned co-hosts, attendees have not officially be confirmed, however Zendaya did say in an interview with Extra that she will unfortunately not be attending this year due to a conflict with Euphoria filming. (*Insert tears here*) The rumor mill has suggested that Gala regular Kim Kardashian, Olympian Simone Biles, actress Tracee Ellis Ross, and YouTuber Emma Chamberlain would all be strutting their stuff down the carpet this year. 

The best Met Gala fashion moments ever

The Met Gala 2021, everything we know. Rihanna attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images / Mike Coppola)

1. Rihanna in Guo Pei

You couldn’t have a best dressed round up with Rihanna. The originator of countless memes, Rihanna stunned in Guo Pei at the 2015 Met Gala China: Through The Looking Glass.

The Met Gala 2021, everything we know.Beyonce attends the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology 2016 (Givenchy) Beyonce attends the "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 (black dress) China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 (see through)

(Image credit: Getty Images / Dimitrios Kambouris / Larry Busacca)

2. Beyoncé, Beyoncé, Beyoncé

No stranger to the Met red carpet, Beyoncé has attended the Gala eight times. Every look she turned was epic but if we’re picking, then we can’t forget the perfection of these three Givenchy looks that she wore in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Can we expect a Givenchy revival, by way of Matthew Williams at the Met Gala 2021? 

The Met Gala 2021, everything we know. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker with designer Alexander McQueen attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala: Anglomania at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 1, 2006 in New York City

(Image credit: Getty Images / Evan Agostini)

3. When Carrie wore McQueen 

Sarah Jessica Parker wearing Alexander McQueen is pictured with Lee McQueen at the  Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala: Anglomania at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2006. 

The Met Gala 2021, everything we know. Kate Moss attends THE COSTUME INSTITUTE GALA: "The Model As Muse" with Honorary Chair MARC JACOBS - INSIDE at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2009 in New York City

(Image credit: Getty Images / Patrick McMullen)

4. Kate Moss

Who else but Kate Moss wearing Marc Jacobs could steal the show at the 2009 Met Gala, The Model As Muse?

The Met Gala 2021, everything we know. Princess Diana attends Met Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on January 1, 1995 in New York City. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images / Patrick McMullan)

5. Princess Diana

Princess Diana wore a navy slip dress from the first John Galliano for Dior collection to the 1996 Met Gala, which celebrated Christian Dior. 

The Met Gala 2021, everything we know. Rihanna attends the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.

(Image credit: Getty Images / Neilson Barnard)

6. Rihanna in Rei Kawakubo

Okay, Rihanna again, but who else could pull off Rei Kawakubo with such aplomb?

The Met Gala 2021, everything we know. Billy Porter attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

(Image credit: Getty Images / Jamie McCarthy)

7. Billie Porter’s theatrical entrance

Billie Porter wearing The Blonds carried by six shirtless men. How else are you meant to enter the 2019 Met Gala, Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion? 

The Met Gala 2021, everything we know. Celine Dion attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

(Image credit: Getty Images / Dimitrios Kambouris)

8. Celine Dion has a Showgirl moment

This Oscar De La Renta look for the 2019 Met Gala came halfway through Celine Dion’s ferocious comeback with several fashion-forward looks.

The Met Gala 2021, everything we know. Harry Styles attends the 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage)

(Image credit: Getty Images / Theo Wargo)

9. Harry Styles, just because. 

Harry Styles in head-to-toe Gucci at the 2019 Met Gala. What more can we say?

Sunil Makan

Sunil Makan is the digital editor of Marie Claire UK. With over 12 years of publishing experience, working on print publications and their digital counterparts, national newspapers, and digital pure plays he is an Editor, Strategist, Content Producer, and Creative Director. In his most recent role, Sunil was deputy editor of My Imperfect Life and before that, he was the Associate Editor of British Marie Claire. Prior to that he worked at ELLE, InStyle, Shortlist Media and freelanced at titles such as Mr Porter, Saks Fifth Avenue, Floral Street fragrance, and The Times. 

Sunil’s specialisms include Fashion, Beauty and Grooming, Lifestyle, and Culture. He has reported and covered fashion trends at International fashion weeks in London, Milan, and Paris, smelled and tested countless fragrances, beauty treatments, slathered on more serums, moisturizers, and masks than he cares to mention plus reviewed some of the best hotels in the world—and the worst. 

Sunil has appeared on and led workshops and panels like the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Creative Diversity roundtable, the British Fashion Council’s Diversity and Inclusion Board, and Fujifilm reader events. A lover of—in no particular order—fragrance, fine wine, champagne, Dior, food, and chicken wings.