The highlight of the fashion year has returned with stars switching out their sweatpants for elaborate and sometimes outlandish outfits.
The annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala — or Met Gala — was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this year, guests were only allowed to attend if they were vaccinated.
That kept Met staple Nicki Minaj off the red carpet, with the singer tweeting she would get vaccinated once "I feel I've done enough research".
This year's theme, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, proved as difficult to pin down as what it meant to be American.
There were tributes to denim, messages of hope and empowerment and a little bit of horse love.
Iman
Iman was a literal ray of light on the Met Gala red carpet, which was the intention of designer Harris Reed.
Reed wanted the dress to convey hope, and the design was informed by the ballroom scene and queer culture.
Billie Eilish
There were many old Hollywood looks on the Met Gala red carpet, but none as breathtaking as singer Billie Eilish.
Eilish worked with designers at Oscar de la Renta to make a dress that was inspired by Holiday Barbie Dolls (she wanted one every Christmas).
The dress is also influenced by the glamorous styles of Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly.
Eilish said she always wanted to wear a dress like this and was now confident enough to do it.
The New York Times reported Oscar de la Renta would stop all fur sales in exchange for Eilish wearing the dress.
Cara Delevingne
Actress and model Cara Delevingne sent a clear message with "Peg the Patriarchy" printed in bold red letters on a white bodice (and if you don't know what that means … look it up).
Delevingne said the outfit symbolised female empowerment and was her way of sticking it to the man.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)
Democratic politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez didn't mince words with "Tax the Rich" printed in red across her white, off-the shoulder mermaid gown by designer Aurora James.
Progressive politician AOC has made wealth inequality in the United States a central theme of her political career since she was elected in 2018.
Carolyn B Maloney
Democratic congresswoman Carolyn B Maloney was another politician with a clear message.
The representative of New York wore a dress in white, purple and gold — the colours of the American womens' suffrage movement.
Her dress had long epaulets with "equal rights for women" in bold lettering.
She also carried a clutch that said "era yes", which advocates for the certification of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Rihanna
Spanish design house Balenciaga clearly sees all black as the next big thing with Rihanna draped in an oversized coat dress on what was a hot and humid night in New York City.
But that's nothing compared to the Balenciaga outfit Kim Kardashian wore…
Kim Kardashian
She had her make-up done for this outfit.
Elliot Page
Elliot Page also wore a Balenciaga suit in one of his most public appearances since coming out as transgender in December last year.
Lupita Nyong'o
The first of many denim looks, actress Lupita Nyong'o paid tribute to the fabric which has been a staple in America for more than a century.
Her hair was inspired by the artwork of American photographer Lorna Simpson.
Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman, the youngest poet in US history to perform at a presidential inauguration, said her Vera Wang dress was influenced by the Statue of Liberty.
Gorman completed the outfit with a blue book-styled clutch that had the phrase "give me your tired" embossed in gold lettering.
The phrase is from the poem The New Colossus which is written at the base of the Statue of Liberty.
Megan Rapinoe
Another woman proving the power of a good clutch, American soccer star Megan Rapinoe showed off her "In Gay We Trust" bag.
The line is a take on the official US motto "In God We Trust".
Rapinoe, captain of the four-time Olympic gold medal-winning US women's soccer team, donned her iconic pink hair and a red and blue suit with white stars on the lapels.
Lingerie giant Victoria's Secret this year signed Rapinoe to represent the brand's new VS Collective.
Ben Platt
Broadway actor Ben Platt, who is reprising his leading role in the film adaptation of the musical Dear Evan Hansen, was another to celebrate denim.
He said his outfit theme was "gay cowboy dream" and a tribute to all the gay men who couldn't embrace their true selves.
Debbie Harry
One way or another, Debbie Harry was rocking the theme of In America.
The Blondie frontwoman's US flag-coloured ball gown was designed by Zac Posen and the jacket was made from recycled denim.
Kim Petras
Singer Kim Petras was sounding a bit hoarse (sorry) after performing at the MTV VMAs the night before, but that didn't stop her rocking this look.
The whole ensemble, including her elaborate braid, took four hours to pull together.
Designer Collina Strada said the outfit was a tribute to horse girls and horse people.
