When does the Met Gala start? What is the theme this year? Will Rihanna be there? Your questions answered

Celebrities are rocking up on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the 2022 Met Gala — and they'll probably be wearing something fabulous and outrageously impractical. 

Here's what you need to know about the annual fundraiser organised by Vogue and referred to as "the Super Bowl of fashion".  

When is the 2022 Met Gala?

Celebrities will start arriving from 8am AEST on Tuesday.

That's 6pm on Monday, May 2 in New York. 

How can I watch it?

Vogue will be live-streaming the red carpet arrivals on its website as well as its Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts. 

The online broadcast will be hosted by actors La La Anthony and Vanessa Hudgens, along with Vogue editor at large Hamish Bowles. 

Who's going to be there?

We haven't seen a complete guest list, but we do know of a few big names who will be attending. 

Vogue has confirmed Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson would be on the red carpet together. 

We're also going to see some looks from Regina King, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who will host the event as official co-chairs of the night. 

Katy Perry and Megan Thee Stallion have told New York celebrity news site Page Six, they'll be going, but despite being well known for her iconic red carpet looks, actress Zendaya won't be attending.

There's no word on whether Rihanna, who is heavily pregnant, will be going.

What's the theme?

In America: An Anthology of Fashion.

The theme is in sync with an exhibition called Anthology of Fashion, which will open at the museum on May 7. 

It's not all that different from last year's theme, which was In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.

But that's not because they just couldn't come up with another theme — Vogue described the 2022 and the 2021 events as a "twin affair". 

Last year's event was a bit of a different one because it was postponed to September.

And while the theme is set, there's also a dress code, which is "gilded glamour, white tie", which asks guests to "embody the grandeur — and perhaps the dichotomy — of Gilded Age New York".

Vogue gives films including The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth as references for the high glamour of this period between 1870 to 1890.

What are some of the past looks?

2021: America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Kim Kardashian's outfit quickly became a meme.  (Reuters: Mario Anzuoni)

Billie Eilish went hard on the peach puffery.  (Reuters: Andrew Kelly TPX)

Kim Petras leaned heavily into the "horse girl" vibe with this one.  (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

There was no missing Iman in this golden banger.  (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Rihanna somehow managed to blend Hollywood glamour with the classic wrapped-up-in-a-sleeping-bag look you often see on camping trips. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

2020: #MetGalaChallange

Organisers cancelled the event because of the pandemic, challenging people to recreate some iconic looks at home.

2019: Camp: Notes on Fashion

Lady Gaga had multiple stages to her look at the 2019 event.  (Reuters: Mario Anzuoni)

... it was dramatic.  (Reuters: Andrew Kelly)

Billy Porter also took a moment to show off his look.  (Reuters: Andrew Kelly)

If anyone ever asks you to explain what " the ole' razzle dazzle" means, just show them this picture of Celine Dion. (Reuters: Andrew Kelly)

Few people would pair a custom Versace gown with Nike sneakers, but there are few people like Serena Williams. (Reuters: Andrew Kelly)

2018: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination

Rihanna looking so papal she deserved her own specially-designed motor vehicle with bullet-proof glass windows.  (Reuters: Eduardo Munoz)

Sarah Jessica Parker's headpiece looks heavy, but she told Vogue it was actually really quite light.  (Reuters: Eduardo Munoz)

Madonna nailed the theme — which wasn't surprising given the iconic looks of her past.  (Reuters: Eduardo Munoz)