The Met Gala is famously held on the first Monday in May every year. Every year, that is, that's not in the grips of a pandemic. While last year's event was cancelled altogether, this year's was simply postponed to Monday, September 13. And what a triumphant return to the red carpet.
Over the past week, we've seen a glimpse of business as usual in New York as fashion week brought out supermodels and celebrities, the US Open captured the world's attention as Emma Raducanu won in unbelievable style and now, the Met Gala is back.
The Met Gala theme for 2021 is American fashion, with co-chairs of the event including Timothée Chalamet, Amanda Gorman, Naomi Osaka, Billie Eilish, Tom Ford and, of course, Anna Wintour. This year, there's even a meme correspondent in the form of @sainthoax, who's bringing their own inimitable sense of humour to the steps of the Met.
The event kicked off in true American style as Brooklyn United, a youth marching band, performed on the steps of the Met while gymnast Nia Dennis performed an amazing floor routine.
It's the red carpet that always provides a healthy serving of outlandish fashion so, without further ado, here are the very best looks from the Met Gala 2021 red carpet...
SEE: Met Gala 2021: The Red Carpet
Anna Wintour
According to the New York Times' Vanessa Friedman, Anna Wintour's dress was 'an homage to my dear friend Oscar de la Renta', who loved his garden.
Bee Carrozzini
A heavily pregnant Bee Carrozzini, Anna Wintour's daughter, wore a voluminous Valentino off-shoulder gown.
Rachel Smith
The TV presenter wore a romantic ruffled gown.
Ilana Glazer
The comedian and actor wore a gown with dramatic feathered sleeves by Aliétte.
Emma Chamberlain
The Youtube star wore a cut-out dress by Louis Vuitton.
Lisa Love
The West Coast director of Vogue and Teen Vogue (you may remember her from The Hills) wore a printed co-ord.
Keke Palmer
The actor wore a high neck metallic dress with cut-out back, designed by Sergio Hudson.
Nia Dennis
The former USA gymnast didn't just walk the red carpet, she performed an incredible routine to kick off the event as the Brooklyn United youth marching band performed a drum solo on the steps of the Met. And she wore Stella McCartney.
Ella Emhoff
The step-daughter of vice president Kamala Harris is fast becoming fashion's new favourite. For her first Met Gala, she wore a red ensemble by Stella McCartney for Adidas. It consisted of a diamond mesh bodysuit, paper bag-waist trousers and platform trainers. Speaking to the New York Times, Emhoff said: 'It's definitely something I would wear in my own day-to-day life.'
Julia Garner
Garner wore a sheer silver Stella McCartney gown.
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz
Brooklyn Beckham and his fiancée Nicola Peltz both wore Valentino.
Dan Levy
Dan Levy used his Loewe look to make a statement about marriage equality.
Maisie Williams
Maisie Williams' boyfriend, Reuben Selby, designed her dress for the Met Gala 2021.
Saweetie
Saweetie's Christian Cowan gown featured a cape with a very special meaning. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, she said: 'My cape represents the Black American heritage flag and the Filipino flag,' before adding 'it's very heavy.'
Lil Nas X
The first of Lil Nas X's looks was this dramatic gold cape by Donatella Versace.
Lil Nas X
Channeling Lady Gaga's arrival at the Met Gala in 2019, Lil Nas X showed off three outfits altogether, including this gold suit of armour. All of his looks were designed by Donatella Versace.
Lil Nas X
For his third and final look on the red (or beige) carpet, Lil Nas X revealed this metallic bodysuit, yet another Versace creation.
Barbie Ferreira
The actor wore a pearl-encrusted gown by Jonathan Simkhai.
Channing Tatum
Does this mean Zoe Kravitz is coming?
Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman
The couple made an appearance on the steps of the Met.
Naomi Osaka
The tennis star wore a Louis Vuitton creation that gave a nod to her Japanese heritage.
Sophia Roe
One of the chefs responsible for the Met Gala's menu, she wore a floral print gown.
Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman wore Vera Wang.
Yara Shahidi
Wearing custom Christian Dior, Yara Shahidi paid tribute to Josephine Baker.
Rebecca Hall
The actor wore a Batsheva dress.
Timothée Chalamet
One of the co-hosts for 2021, Timothée Chalamet wore a Rick Owens top with a Haider Ackermann blazer.
Billie Eilish
Another of the Met Gala's co-hosts, Billie Eilish paid tribute to American icon Marilyn Monroe in this spectacular Oscar de la Renta gown.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson wore AZ Factory.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams' Gucci look featured a silver bodysuit and incredible ombre cape made of feathers.
Evan Mock
The Gossip Girl star wore Thom Browne and Lorraine Schwartz jewellery.
Eva Chen
Eva Chen wore Christopher John Rogers.
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges wore Bode
Storm Reid
The actor wore a dramatic Prada gown with a feathered skirt, which she took off mid-red carpet to reveal black hot pants underneath.
Finneas
Billie Eilish's brother wore Givenchy.
Pete Davidson
The comedian wore Thom Browne.
Donatella Versace
Donatella Versace was, of course, wearing her own label.
Megan Rapinoe
The football star wore a star spangled suit with a slogan clutch that said: 'In Gay We Trust'.
Lorde
Lorde wore an incredible Bode look.
Irina Shayk
The supermodel wore Moschino and debuted short hair.
Precious Lee
The model wore a sculptural blazer gown by Area.
Debbie Harry and Zac Posen
Debbie Harry arrived with designer Zac Posen.
Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt wore a Miu Miu look.
Kaia Gerber
Kaia Gerber in Oscar de la Renta.
Sienna Miller
Sienna Miller wore Gucci.
Taika Waititi and Rita Ora
The couple both wore Prada.
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo wore Moschino.
Tracee Ellis Ross
The actor wore Balenciaga Couture.
Simone Biles
The Olympian wore New York-based label Area.
Jennifer Lopez
JLo wore Ralph Lauren.
Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong'o looked utterly incredible in a denim Versace dress.
Megan Fox
Megan Fox wore a red Dundas dress.
Gigi Hadid
The model wore Prada.
Karlie Kloss and Wes Gordon
The supermodel arrived at the Met with Wes Gordon, who designed her dress.
Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello wore Michael Kors.
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson chose a sugary pink ensemble.
Tessa Thompson
The actor wore Iris van Herpen.
Michaela Coel
The British star wore Balenciaga, with the blue shade a nod to both denim and the American flag.
Kristen Stewart
The actor wore Chanel.
Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld showed off a very different look with her new blonde bob.
Zoe Kravitz
Zoe Kravitz (who didn't arrive with reported boyfriend Channing Tatum) wore a bejewelled mesh dress by Saint Laurent.
Lily-Rose Depp
Lily-Rose Depp wore a two-piece by Chanel.
Hailey Bieber
The model wore Saint Laurent.
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner wore a Givenchy gown inspired by Audrey Hepburn.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian caused quite the stir in her faceless Balenciaga look.
Carey Mulligan
Carey Mulligan wore Valentino Haute Couture.
Indya Moore
The Pose star wore Saint Laurent.
Alicia Keys
The singer wore an all-white gown by AZ Factory and jewellery by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Margaret Qualley
Margaret Qualley in Chanel.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg wore Valentino Haute Couture.
Olivia Rodrigo
The singer made her Met Gala debut in a sheer lace bodysuit by Saint Laurent.
Sharon Stone
Sharon Stone in a Thom Browne dress inspired by the designer's mother.
Regina King
Regina King in Michael Kors.
Kerby Jean-Raymond
Pyer Moss's Kerby Jean-Raymond in a scarlet suit.
Venus Williams
The athlete chose a strapless red gown by Prabal Gurung.
Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu in Thom Browne.
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union in an Iris van Herpen dress.
Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi in Louis Vuitton.
Normani
Normani in Valentino Haute Couture.
Cara Delevingne
The British model and actor wore Christian Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri.
Diane Kruger
The actor wore a neon green gown by Prabal Gurung.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
AOC chose to make a political statement with her Brothers Vellies dress, which was emblazoned with 'Tax The Rich'. Speaking to Vogue, designer Aurora James said: 'As far as this theme goes, I think Alexandria and I are a great embodiment of the language fashion needs to consider adding to the general lexicon as we work towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and empowered future.'
Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams
Pharrell and his wife, Helen Lasichanh, wore matching Chanel looks.
Emily Ratajkowski
Em Rata wore Vera Wang.