The best and worst dressed celebrities at the Met Gala 2021 – Billie Eilish channelled Marilyn Monroe in an Oscar de la Renta gown while Rihanna looked mysterious in Balenciaga

Sep 15 , 2021

We loved the Met Gala 2021 looks of Lil Nas X, Model Iman and Kim Kardashian, but what was Hillary Taymour thinking? Photos: AP, AFP

Gen Z made bold choices: Lil Nas X dazzled in three different golden looks, while tennis star Naomi Osaka’s Louis Vuitton outfit paid homage to her heritage

K-pop idol Rosé from Blackpink debuted at the event in Saint Laurent, while Kim Kardashian was almost unrecognisable in an all-black look designed by ex Kanye West

The Met Gala red carpet has returned after over a year of delays due to the coronavirus pandemic. Originally scheduled for the first Monday in May – or May 4, 2020 – the event finally took place on September 13, following New York Fashion Week and the MTV Video Music Awards.

The fundraising event celebrates the museum’s flagship exhibition of the year, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”, which will open to the public on September 18. The event is followed by another series, “In America: an Anthology of Fashion,” which will open next year on May 5, exploring the evolution of American fashion since the 1940s.

Dubbed “fashion’s biggest night out”, this year’s Met Gala once again welcomed world-famous celebrities, sports stars, fashion designers, models and even political figureheads. Bringing with them a touch of Gen Z power, stars like Billie Eilish and Timothée Chalamet joined timeless style icons like Jennifer Lopez and Ciara for a true fashion extravaganza.

Here are our picks for the best and worst dressed celebrities at the 2021 Met Gala.

The best

Billie Eilish poses on the red carpet of the 2021 Met Gala. Photo: EPA-EFE

Billie Eilish’s style evolution is astonishing. The once green-haired pop star made a head-turning appearance in a sweeping Oscar de la Renta gown – an ode to Marilyn Monroe. She co-chaired the fashion event with fellow Gen Z stars, Timothée Chalamet, Naomi Osaka and Amanda Gorman.

Lil Nas X attends the Met Gala 2021. Photo: AP

Lil Nas X pulled off three different look at the Met Gala 2021. Photo: AP

Lil Nas X brought three outfits to the Met Gala, appearing in front of the camera in a dramatic cape, revealing a gold armour underneath like a Transformer, and finished with a body-hugging gold suit.

Barbadian singer Rihanna arrives for the 2021 Met Gala. Photo: AFP