NEW YORK — The fashion world’s favorite spring sartorial soiree got underway Monday as the glitterati struck a pose on the grand staircase of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
“Gilded glamour, white-tie” was the dress code for the 2022 Met Gala’s return after being delayed for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Blake Lively, who arrived on the red carpet early, was in a New York State of Mind. The “A Simple Plan” star turned heads in a strapless, art deco-styled gown designed by Versace Atelier with big satin bow and matching gloves.
The inner panels of the gown were crystal metallic leather resembling the Empire State Building. In just minutes, the gown was transformed into another look, which channeled the Statue of Liberty, and was topped off with a matching tiara. Husband Ryan Reynolds wore a fitted chocolate velvet Ralph Lauren suit finished off with a bow-tie.
New York Mayor Eric Adams, who arrived with his girlfriend, Tracey Collins, didn’t miss out on making a bold fashion statement at the invitation-only event. Adams’ long black tuxedo coat was adorned with Afrocentric motifs and MTA symbols on its lapels and forearms. The back center panel of the coat had the words “END GUN VIOLENCE” in red lettering.
The annual event, which serves as a fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute was canceled in 2020 and 2021, and a truncated version of the event took place last summer as pandemic protocols started to loosen up.
The smaller red carpet coincided with the first installment of the Met Gala’s two-part “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” exhibition — celebrating American style.
Academy Award winner Regina King and Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda joined Lively and Reynolds as the 2022 gala co-chairs.
Vogue magazine editor Anna Wintour, who has overseen the event since 1995, serves as honorary chair alongside fashion designer Tom Ford and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri.
Tickets to this year’s exclusive, invite-only event reportedly cost $35,000 and tables range from $200,000 to $300,000 — with all guests approved by Wintour.
