2021 Met Gala: Red carpet arrivals on fashion's biggest night

Fashion is back, America. After a 16-month COVID pandemic hiatus, the Met Gala made its return, on September 13, 2021, with the theme "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion."

Andrew Bolton, a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, told Vogue that it was American designers' exploration of big ideas — like diversity, sustainability, body inclusivity and gender fluidity — that inspired this year's dress code.

This year's event co-chairs are exclusively young celebrities. Actor Timothée Chalamet is the oldest of the bunch, at 25. Chalamet is heading up the benefit with musician Billie Eilish (pictured), poet Amanda Gorman and tennis phenom Naomi Osaka.

Keep scrolling to see some of the memorable looks from this year's Met Gala.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

The lawmaker attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Her gown, which reads "Tax the rich," was designed by Brother Vellies.

Amanda Gorman

Met Gala co-chair and former National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman arrives in a royal blue dress.

Naomi Osaka

Tennis star and Met Gala co-chair Naomi Osaka arrives at the 2021 Met Gala.

Timothée Chalamet

Co-chair Timothée Chalamet attends the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Rihanna and ASAP Rocky

Music stars Rihanna and ASAP Rocky arrive at the 2021 Met Gala.

Lil Nas X

Rapper Lil Nas X makes his grand entrance at the 2021 Met Gala.

A golden reveal

Under the giant cloak, Lil Nas X wears a gold suit of armor.

Under the armor

Under the gold armor, he reveals a sparkling bodysuit.

Yara Shahidi

Actress Yara Shahidi arrives at the 2021 Met Gala.

Serena Williams

Tennis star Serena Williams makes her entrance at the 2021 Met Gala.

Lupita Nyong'o

Actress Lupita Nyong'o arrives at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Megan Thee Stallion

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion wears pink at the 2021 Met Gala.

Jennifer Lopez

Singer Jennifer Lopez arrives at the 2021 Met Gala.

Nia Dennis

Gymnast Nia Dennis, in a royal blue bodysuit, cartwheels into the Met Gala, with the Brooklyn United Marching Band announcing her arrival.

A vision in blue

Here's a closer look at Dennis' look for her entrance.

Brooklyn United Marching Band

The Brooklyn United Marching Band wears red, white and blue at the 2021 Met Gala, celebrating "In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion."

Nia Dennis returns

After her high-flying gymnastics performance, Dennis returned to the carpet, this time in a glittering gown.

Chloe and Halle Bailey

Multitalented sisters and Chloe and Halle Bailey arrive at the 2021 Met Gala.

Simone Biles

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles makes her entrance at the 2021 Met Gala in a Swarovski crystal-covered gown weighing 88 pounds.

Stephen and Ayesha Curry

Basketball star Stephen Curry and his wife, cooking entrepreneur Ayesha Curry, attend the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Iman

Model and entrepreneur Iman arrives at the 2021 Met Gala.

Lorde

Musician Lorde arrives at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Pete Davidson

Comedian Pete Davidson attends the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Gabrielle Union

Actress Gabrielle Union arrives at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Cynthia Erivo

Actress Cynthia Erivo wears white at the 2021 Met Gala.

Karlie Kloss

Model Karlie Kloss arrives at the 2021 Met Gala.

Frank Ocean

Musician Frank Ocean carries a green baby doll at the 2021 Met Gala.

Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling arrives at the 2021 Met Gala.

Jennifer Hudson

Actress and singer Jennifer Hudson arrives at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Grimes

Grimes wears a mask and carries a sword over her shoulder at the 2021 Met Gala.

Kit Harrington and Rose Leslie

Actors Kit Harrington and Rose Leslie arrive at the 2021 Met Gala.

Saweetie

Rapper Saweetie attends the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Kendall Jenner

Model Kendall Jenner arrives at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Megan Rapinoe

Soccer star Megan Rapinoe attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Evan Mock

Actor Evan Mock wears a mask at the 2021 Met Gala.

Elliot Page

Actor Elliot Page arrives at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Emily Blunt

Actress Emily Blunt wears a star-spangled headdress to the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox makes her entrance at the 2021 Met Gala.

Kacey Musgraves

Country music star Kacey Musgraves attends the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Justin Bieber

Singer Justin Bieber attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Hailey Bieber

Model Hailey Bieber wears black at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Carolyn B. Maloney

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney wears this political statement to the 2021 Met Gala.

The wings of her dress read "Equal rights for women," and her tambourine says "ERA YES," in support of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Debbie Harry

Singer Debbie Harry's skirt is inspired by the American flag.

Taraji P. Henson

Actress Taraji P. Henson wears sequins at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Jordan Roth

Theater producer Jordan Roth arrives at the 2021 Met Gala.

Mary J. Blige

Singer Mary J. Blige shimmers at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Sophia Roe

Television host Sophia Roe makes her entrance at the 2021 Met Gala.

MJ Rodriguez

Actress MJ Rodriguez attends the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross wears blue at the 2021 Met Gala.

Zoe Kravitz

Actress Zoe Kravitz attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Chance the Rapper

Chance the Rapper attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Channing Tatum

Actor Channing Tatum wears a black tux to the 2021 Met Gala.

Gemma Chan

Actress Gemma Chan attends the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Maisie Williams

Actress Maisie Williams, of "Game of Thrones" fame, attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Leon Bridges

Soul singer Leon Bridges wears a cowboy hat and denim fringe to the 2021 Met Gala.

Kim Petras

German musician Kim Petras attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Alicia Keys

Musician Alicia Keys attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Claire Danes

Actress Claire Danes attends the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Keke Palmer

Actress Keke Palmer sparkles at the 2021 Met Gala.

Valentina Sampaio

Model Valentina Sampaio arrives at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Taika Waititi and Rita Ora

Filmmaker Taika Waititi and singer Rita Ora arrive at the 2021 Met Gala.

Ciara

Singer Ciara wears this football-inspired number to the 2021 Met Gala.

Kaia Gerber

Model Kaia Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford, arrives at the 2021 Met Gala.

Kris Jenner

Kris Jenner attends the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Finneas

Musician and record producer Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish, attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Nikkie de Jager

Makeup artist Nikkie de Jager arrives at the 2021 Met Gala.

Jordan Alexander

Actress Jordan Alexander attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Ella Emhoff

Ella Emhoff, model and stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Addison Rae

Actress Addison Rae wears red at the 2021 Met Gala.

Madison Beer

Singer Madison Beer attends the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Lourdes Leon

Lourdes Leon, daughter of Madonna, attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Storm Reid

Actress Storm Reid attends the Met Gala in New York City.

Ilana Glazer

"Broad City" co-creator Ilana Glazer attends the 2021 met Gala.

Rachel Zegler

Actress Rachel Zegler makes her entrance at the 2021 Met Gala.

Julia Garner

Actress Julia Garner attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Barbie Ferreira

Actress Barbie Ferreira arrives at the 2021 Met Gala.

Donatella Versace

Fashion designer Donatella Versace arrives at the 2021 Met Gala.

Dan Levy

Actor Dan Levy wears this map-covered ensemble to the 2021 Met Gala.

Ben Platt

Actor and singer Ben Platt attends attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Irina Shayk

Model Irina Shayk arrives at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Diane von Furstenberg

Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Julia Carey and James Corden

Producer Julia Carey and her husband, comedian and television host James Corden, attend the 2021 Met Gala.

Anna Wintour

Vogue Editor-in-Chief and honorary event chair Anna Wintour wears floral ruffles at the 2021 Met Gala.

Adrien Brody

Actor Adrien Brody arrives at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Troye Sivan

Musician and YouTube star Troye Sivan attends the 2021 Met Gala.

Emma Chamberlain

YouTube personality Emma Chamberlain arrives at the 2021 Met Gala in this asymmetrical number.

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz

Model Brooklyn Beckham — son of soccer star David Beckham — and actress Nicola Peltz arrive at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Adam and Monica Mosseri

Instagram head and honorary chair Adam Mosseri, and his wife, Monica Mosseri, attend the 2021 Met Gala in New York City.

Tom Ford

Fashion designer and honorary Met Gala chair Tom Ford arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Eva Chen

Instagram fashion executive Eva Chen attends the 2021 Met Gala.