Met Gala 2022: Celebrities abound on fashion's biggest night

NEW YORK -- It was the fashion event of the year. The annual Met Gala returned Monday night to the Upper East Side.

The so-called "biggest party in fashion" marks the opening of the annual costume exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

CBS2's Ali Bauman had a front-row seat on the red carpet.

The Met Gala is really all about the entrance. The red carpet lasts longer than the party, itself.

The theme Monday night was gilded glamour, so that meant a lot of sequins, a lot of feathers, and a whole lot of opulence.

The Met Museum steps were sparkling with celebrities dripping in jewels. The gowns were long and the hair was tall.

"We wanted to represent city of gods and the 'Empire State of Mind' forever," singer Alicia Keys said.

This year's gala marked the opening of "In America: An Anthology of Fashion," the second of a two-part exhibition celebrating the American fashion aesthetic.

"Oh, it's super exciting. It's about celebrating craftmanship, so we're excited to be a part of it," Marcus Samuelsson said.

Actor Jared Leto brought himself as a date, and Lizzo's date was her flute.

And as always, the Kardashians knew how to make an entrance, with all five sisters attending the gala for the first time.

"I love standing at the top of the stairs and watching the girls come in," Kris Jenner said.

And with Lin Manuel Miranda as one of this year's co-hosts, Broadway stars came out to play.

"I wanted to honor the theme and dress it up a little bit, but I also wanted to feel like myself and feel like I wasn't in a costume," actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr. said.

"We got nothing else to do. It's the night off, so I'm here," actor James McAvoy said.

"This is the first time I've worn pink since 'Mean Girls,' so I'm owning pink again," Ashley Park said.

"I'm just excited to get in and see my friends. It's gonna be a good time," Anthony Ramos added.

And you never know who will show up to the Met Gala.

"Sometimes it's frivolous, and maybe not that important, but I think beauty is very important and style and things that move the heart," Elon Musk sad.

Even Mayor Eric Adams could not pass up a coveted ticket. His suit was styled with a MetroCard on front and a call to end gun violence on the back.

"The division between affluent New Yorkers and those who are low-wage employees, it should not be a division. We are all part of the same ecosystem," Adams said.

Some guests took a literal approach to the gilded theme, while others had their own interpretations.

"This is a modern interpretation of gilded and it's made with 25,000 gold piets made right here in New York," actress Rachel Brosnahan said.

"Trying to be glamorous and fluffy, so I wore lots of petals," designer Diane von Furstenberg said.

"I think we wanted to do a twist on the gilded age where it was like, it was a time of expensive fabrics," Camila Cabello said. "Me having flowers everywhere, kind of the natural world and those finite resources to me are the most valuable," Camila Cabello said.

"I just wanted a little more fun, a little more naughty," singer SZA added.

But one thing most of the stars had in common -- they were happy to be there.

"I couldn't resist this invitation. It's incredible," Jon Batiste said.

The event is the primary source of funding for the Costume Institute. The Met Gala is strictly invite only, with the guest list hand-picked by Anna Wintour.

Tickets cost about $35,000 apiece.