The Met Gala, aka fashion’s biggest night of the year, presented a rehashed theme in 2022. Rather than 2021’s In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, celebs were told to dress for In America: An Anthology of Fashion, with a focus on “gilded glamour”. Despite the shift in fine print, some attendees understood the theme just fine, and turned out in their best late-19th century New York glamour.

Blake Lively has been nothing but successful at the Met red carpet, but this year she was steps above her fellow attendees. Her Versace gown transformed into Lady Liberty before our very eyes, with a crystal-embroidered train inspired by Grand Central Station’s famous constellation ceiling.

With two looks deserving of two accolades, Blake’s “before” look was equally as stunning and thought out, with her geometric bodice drawing influence from the Empire State Building, and a Gilded Age inspired bustle that unraveled into her aquamarine train.

Jodie Turner-Smith looked opulent in her peachy-golden Gucci gown which aimed to deliver the “over-the-top and fantastical” energy of the Gilded Age, according to the British actress.

Kaia Gerber served up Lady Godiva hair on the red carpet, stealing breaths away like her mother Cindy Crawford before her. Her Alexander McQueen gown added to the drama.

Recognise that dress? That is Marilyn Monroe’s dress, the real one, which she wore to sing ‘Happy Birthday, Mr President’. Kim Kardashian borrowed the 60-year-old gown from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! display, which it purchased for $4.81 million. That, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the most expensive barely-there gowns in the world.

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