Met Gala honours American fashion in 2021 return

After a yearlong delay due to COVID-19, this year's Met Gala kicked off Monday with a bevy of surprise superstars and a theme celebrating American fashion. 

Typically taking place on the first Monday in May, the 73rd annual exhibition was split into two parts for 2021 after its cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic. Its theme, "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion," is Part 1 of a larger, two-part "In America" show. Unlike past shows, this first part will last a full year, coinciding for several months with Part 2, "An Anthology of Fashion," which will open in early May — when, everyone desperately hopes, a full-sized Met Gala can be held. In lieu of that full-sized event, Monday night's festivities kicked off with a marching band and a gymnast — and early carpet walkers in sultry, sparkly looks. This year, the gala is co-hosted by Timothée Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka. Honorary chairs are Tom Ford and sponsor Instagram's Adam Mosseri, alongside Vogue's Anna Wintour, who has served as chair for every Met Gala since 1995. Keke Palmer was one of the first stars to arrive, wearing a stunning, earth-tone body gown with a train by Sergio Hudson. The designer's star rose earlier this year when he dressed both U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and former first lady Michelle Obama.  Meanwhile, Dune star Timothée Chalamet turned heads with his all-white ensemble, finished by a pair of Converse high-tops.