At the previous runs of the Met Gala, the Korean idol attendees were all male. This time, women are running the show and their names are Rosé and CL. Welcome to the Met Gala 2021.
It’s a surprising fact that a female Korean idol has never been to the prestigious Met Gala yet. Previous attendees were Lay of EXO, Siwon of Super Junior, Rain, and PSY. So, when it was rumored that Rosé of Blackpink was going to be the first female Korean idol to attend the Met Gala 2021, everyone lost it. Of course, it was expected that Rosé was to be dressed by YSL as she is the French luxury house’s ambassador. And boy, did she show up and stunned.
In case you missed it, the Met Gala’s 2021 theme was, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” Dressed by YSL’s creative director, Anthony Vaccarello, Rosé was a sight to see in what looked like a sleek, mini dress version of a bowtie. Rosé has always been in touch with her feminine side, and YSL was able to interpret that with a bit of her edge, too.
While she was a vision on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, everyone else invited to the festivities took their moment to bask in this return to fine form. At the heart of it all, we’ve got Gen Z faves Timothée Chalamet (boy was dressed to the nines, mixing Haider Ackermann, Rick Owens, Cartier, and Converse, no big deal), Amanda Gorman, Billie Eilish, and Naomi Osaka as co-chairs of the gala, so you know it was a night to remember.
Want more? We’ve listed down some of our favorite Met Gala moments.
CL’S CASUAL AMERICAN FASHION
CL in classic american denim tied with traditional korean hanbok knot and hair inspired by a headpiece worn mostly by queens— yes that’s how you make a met gala debut ?
— springkies (@jekkibby2) September 14, 2021
CL at the #MetGala pic.twitter.com/YaKHgplhoL
A moment that we were not ready for? The baddest female from Seoul, CL at the red carpet wearing classic denim with of course, a touch of Korean culture with her hanbok knot and royalty-inspired headpiece. She never confirmed her attendance, nor dropped hints of being in the Met Gala. To think that CL and Rosé both walked the same red carpet at the Met Gala 2021 makes it even more mind-blowing. Can we talk about Korean female history at the MET?!
LUPITA’S BRITNEY SPEARS HOMAGE
Lupita giving a modern spin on Britney’s iconic denim dress pic.twitter.com/iHV4Sy8YJ7
— cuntroversial (@fendifaguette) September 14, 2021
Miss Lupita Nyong’o over here always understands the assignment! It’s giving Britney Spears’ iconic denim gown. This is how you do fashion at the Met Gala.
RIHANNA’S BEANIE
Now THIS is peak American fashion. For the first time in MET Gala history, a beanie makes an appearance on the red carpet. Who else could have done it better other than the bad gal herself, Rihanna? Stunting in a voluminous Balenciaga haute couture gown, Rihanna’s crystal headpiece and her beanie stole the show. Who else is wondering what’s underneath her coat? Is she going to be revealing the newest Savage x Fenty lingerie? We have so many questions.
BILLIE EILISH AS MARILYN MONROE
What is Billie Eilish up to next? She is absolutely driving us crazy in this divine homage to classic Hollywood icon, Marilyn Monroe. The blonde lob and the tulle Oscar de la Renta gown? GORGEOUS.
NYC CONGRESSWOMAN AOC’S TAX THE RICH GOWN
It just makes perfect sense that NYC’s congresswoman, feminist icon, and advocate, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would make a head-turning statement that said in big, bold red: “TAX THE RICH.” Louder, please.
LIL NAS X’S C-3PO MOMENT
Men gotta take more risks on the carpet. Two piece suits in 2021 are boring fellas. Lil Nas X could NEVA. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/LLhsCcaFQe
— Duane Miller (@Cinemaniac94) September 14, 2021
hello hello
— ??? met gala era (@tolkienianjedi) September 14, 2021
c3po from lil nas x from
star wars met gala pic.twitter.com/1bNMhCnSjO
We swear. No one’s doing it like Lil Nas X. How on earth did he manage to nail those three reveals and custom Versace looks? Talk about shutting it down.
GIGI HADID AS JESSICA RABBIT
am i the only one thinkin this is givin off the same vibe #MetGala pic.twitter.com/xVrSFWfW3c
— lea (@caughtfireIrh) September 14, 2021
Another American pop culture icon, Gigi Hadid channels Jessica Rabbit in all her sultriness and glorious red hair at the Met Gala.
KIM KARDASHIAN AS A DEMENTOR
Kim Kardashian looking like a whole dementor #MetGala2021 pic.twitter.com/g6LM0w3LhH
— met gala (@advicetexts) September 14, 2021
While people have been asking “WHY?,” we love how Kim Kardashian went out of her comfort zone of the usual latex, form-fitting dresses, and walked the red carpet in a mysterious all-black gown by Balenciaga. Costume couture!
DAN LEVY AS A WORK OF ART
Say what you want, but out of all the Met Gala 2021 attendees, only one referenced American artist and AIDS activist, David Wojnarowicz’s work. To think that it was comedian Dan Levy’s debut at the red carpet!
WEAR IT PROUD
Megan Rapinoe arrived at the #MetGala carrying a red, white and blue clutch that reads “IN GAY WE TRUST,” matching her pantsuit.
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 14, 2021
Follow live updates: https://t.co/RorS6d0Lu0 pic.twitter.com/jc8frYVwNb
Statements on the red carpet are not a new thing. Over in New York City, Cara Delevingne’s “Peg the Patriarchy” corset, soccer player Megan Rapinoe’s “In Gay We Trust” clutch, and US Representative Carolyn Maloney champions women’s rights in a very visible way. Yes to advocacy, equality and social justice!
OUR FAVORITE FILIPINOS ON THE RED CARPET
Olivia Rodrigo was invited to the #MetGala with only 9 months of career. She really is the moment. She is THE relevance. pic.twitter.com/sfRH11vmKD
— Olivia Rodrigo Charts (@orcharts) September 14, 2021
Megan Thee Stallion with Lil Baby, Evan Mock, Simu Liu, Saweetie & more at the 2021 #METGala pic.twitter.com/TAIsqDePa3
— Megan Charts (@StallionOnChart) September 14, 2021
Saweetie has two flags draped from her outfit. They are the Black Hertiage Flag and the Filipino flag. #MetGala #MetGala2021 pic.twitter.com/W7rP00wZDz
— Brandon ? (@followbrandn) September 13, 2021
SPOTTED at the #MetGala: Evan Mock ? pic.twitter.com/ka1oeUnNZI
— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2021
.@HaileeSteinfeld giving us a LOOK at the #MetGala!? pic.twitter.com/nD4bBESBTL
— MTV (@MTV) September 14, 2021
Filipinos, represent. In a breakout year for their careers, Olivia Rodrigo, Saweetie (literally wearing pride with the colors of the flag draped on her train), and Evan Mock made sure we were seen front and center at the Met Gala. Can we also appreciate Hailee Steinfield’s blonde moment in her extraterrestrial Iris Van Herpen dress? Talk about presence, because people definitely took notice.
SUPERMODEL IMAN AS MISS BAGUIO
It’s giving walis couture and we love it! Petition to make supermodel Iman’s dress an inspo for the next Miss Universe queen!
READ MORE: The Most Jaw-Dropping National Costumes We’ve Seen at Miss World Philippines 2021
