While eyes are drawn to the biggest and brightest frocks, last night also saw some of the world’s best dressed men give the ‘Gilded Glamour’ themed Met Ball their best shot.
Coming out on top was Stormzy, who looked positively regal in his pure white Burberry suit and flowing cape. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, indeed.
Rock royalty Lenny Kravitz made a splashy entrance in his lace and leather, corseted look before changing into a neon yellow snake print suit to give a belting performance alongside Kacey Musgraves later in the evening.
Joining Kravitz in more experimental dressing was model Evan Mock, who opted for a pale yellow corseted suit jacket, matching slashed trousers and a statement white ruff collar by Gen-Z brand Head of State. More obscure was Jared Leto who came matching with Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele (from the cream floral suits, to the flowing tresses and black shades), while theatre producer Jordan Roth wore one of the night’s loudest looks – a voluminous skirted, multi-textured black gown by Thom Browne. Why not?
Elsewhere, some of the sleekest looks came from Valentino. They dressed Brooklyn Beckham, who did a simple twist on tailoring with hint of poweder pink suit, as well as Normal People’s Paul Mescal, who wore a monochrome black tux and white bow tie (plus a moustache, which was an added bonus). The brand’s more outlandish guests included singer Conan Gray, who strutted in silver sequin trousers, a mesh crystal top and white cape, and actor Sebastian Stan who wore head-to-toe hot pink.
Committing to crystal embellishments was model Alton Mason, who looked ethereal in his sparkling Prada cape and shirt, as well as Elite actor Manu Rios, who charmed in his sheer and heavily embroidered black Moschino suit set.
Co-host of the evening Ryan Reynolds did old fashioned America in high style, wearing a burgundy velvet suit with a pristine white waistcoat, bow tie and boutonniere, while the likes of Jacob Eldori, Bradley Cooper and Pete Davidson all turned away from making Gala drama in their classic black tuxedos.
Perhaps the most thoughtful look of the evening came from British actor Riz Ahmed. Given the evening’s theme referred to the Gilded Age of America, a period of rapid industrialisation which ran 1870-1890, he took the chance to make a stand for the people who worked to make it happen.
“This is an homage to the immigrant workers who kept the Gilded Age going,” he said on the steps, wearing a white vest, two piece navy shirt and trousers by an immigrant designer, 4S Designs, as well as a pair of calf high working boots. Nicely done.
