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Breanna Robinson

Met Gala 2021 highlights and memes: From Frank Ocean’s lime-green baby to Kim Kardashian’s all-black ensemble

After what seemed like an eternity due to the coronavirus pandemic, The Met Gala finally returned to New York City on Monday night.

Not only is it a fashion event that is analogous to the Oscars, but it's also an evening filled with Hollywood stars, models, and designers gathering together to showcase extravagant, over-the-top looks to celebrate and fundraise at a new exhibit from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

And this year's theme, titled In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, facets of American culture are highlighted.

“We called the dress code this time — American independence. And we really want people to have fun and enjoy dressing up again,” said Vogue editor and organiser Anna Wintour in an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts.

From looks inspired by racecar drivers to old Hollywood glam, the red carpet was nothing short of interesting.

In the spirit of good old social media, people didn’t hold back on their opinions about what they thought was fabulous, what reminded them of kitchenware, and everything else in between.

Here’s how people reacted to the twists and turns of the evening.

The glitch in the live stream

Being the first time the event was live-streamed, technical difficulties can occur.

That didn’t stop people from expressing their frustration.

Frank Ocean and his guest of honor—a lime green baby

R&B artist Frank Ocean wore a black Dreamcore cap over his neon-green hair and a black Prada jacket, comparable to the nylon gabardine anorak jacket he wore to the 2019 Met Gala. He also carried a lime green baby on his hip.

Some people compared the robobaby to olive oil and “Shrek.”

Ocean also has a new independent American luxury brand, Homer, and collaborated on a Prada collection.

Kim Kardashian looking like she “can’t breathe” in an all-black ensemble

Social media personality Kim Kardashian was spotted wearing a full-on black from head to toe, literally, besides the peak of her hair styled in a ponytail.

Onlookers thought she looked “breathtaking” and favoured “shadow people.”

Someone else thought she was a secret character in Mortal Kombat.

Her look also seems to be inspired by her ex-husband Kanye West’s vision for DONDA.

Ben and Jen pack on the PDA, sort of.

Singer Jennifer Lopez and actor Ben Affleck have rekindled their romance for some time now. And at the evening’s events, they decided to kiss with masks on.

Some believed they looked eager to smooch.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s “tax the rich” printed dress

Rep.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is the face of the Democratic Socialists of America — wore a political statement to the lavish Met Gala that appeared to be intended at her fellow revelers.

To the America-themed event, Ocasio-Cortez donned a white gown by Brother Vellies with the slogan "Tax the Rich" sprayed across her back and a matching slogan on her bag.

As bold as the move was, there were several mixed opinions about her choice of dress. For one, the cost of the tickets is upwards of $30,000, which is out of many people’s tax brackets, while others were supportive of the message.

Naomi Osaka stuns in an outfit representative of her background

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka—who also happened to be a co-chair for the event—stunned in a Louis Vuitton dress accompanied by a dramatic black cape, colorful eye makeup, and beautifully styled hair red gems and flowers/

“Americana to me means a mix of all cultures, and this look incorporates both of my heritages: Haitian and Japanese,” Osaka said on the red carpet when interviewed by KeKe Palmer.

People loved the message she conveyed through her choice of dress.

James Corden deemed “unfashionable”

Actor and comedian of The Late Late Show, James Corden, wore a black suit, white shirt, and black bowtie as he was accompanied by his wife, Julia Carey who wore a sequined white gold dress.

People decided that they wanted to crack on his fashion choices since he has dressed out of the box, so to speak, in the past.

Emma Chamberlain looked cool, calm, fashionable, and apparently uninterested

Influencer Emma Chamberlain sported a Louis Vuitton gold mini with a plunging neckline, dramatic asymmetrical hem, and cutouts.

Many were impressed with the look but couldn’t help but point out what seemed to be an uninterested look on her face.

Kitchen cutlery napkin couture

You can make fashion out of anything, including what looks like a fancy cloth napkin you may use at upscale restaurants, or even a sleeping bag for camping excursions.

People, however, were confused by the ensemble.

Disney channel realness? Yes indeed

Actress Ashley Tisdale could be seen donning a Bebe t-shirt, denim jeans with a gold embellished skirt on top, chunky necklaces, gold flats, and a keyboard clutch.

Some wrote that she is a “true” fashion icon and could sell the merchandise for good money because “it’s vintage.”

It’s all about the sword, according to Grimes

Grimes, a Canadian musician and girlfriend of Tesla CEO, brought the future to American fashion with a metallic mask and semi-sheer white dress with accents of black and silver, accompanied by an MSCHF sword made out of an AR-15.

Many people couldn’t help but think it was very American of her to wield the weapon.

Someone believed she looked like a customised character in the weapons-based video game Soul Calibur 6.

In the spirit of Harry Potter, another onlooker thought the sword was similar to a Horcrux.

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