THE BEST AT THE MET GALA 2021

By: Ashly Marie Tenio, Cate Hashemi, Zaynab Rasheed, Mikal

The Met Gala is known for its bold fashion sense and the many guests that attend. From musicians to actors, and newly added, influencers. This year’s theme was In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.

Here are some of Human Central's favorite looks from the night.

Yara Shahidi

American actress, model, and activist, Yara Shahidi, stunned in this custom Dior gown. Her look was inspired by Josephine Baker, an American-born French performer, World War II spy, and activist. Baker used her platform as an entertainer to preach black beauty and to fight against racism, similar to Shahidi herself. Earlier in the night, Tracee Ellis Ross said there is nothing more American than “a black girl wearing what she wants,” and Yara Shahidi has truly proved her right.

Olivia Rodrigo

The 18-year-old, record-breaking singer/songwriter blew us away in this sheer look by Yves Saint Laurent. According to Rodrigo, the look was inspired by the American punk rock she grew up on, with a feminine twist. Rodrigo showcases the youth and modernism of American fashion with her bold, lace catsuit and dramatic, diamond earrings. While many chose more classic, old Hollywood looks that pay homage to past eras, Olivia Rodrigo looks to the future of American style and celebrates the uncertainty and renaissance of current and upcoming American fashion.

Billie Eilish

Can I just say—WOW! This is completely off the grid from Billie’s old branding and style from the previous years! She went for a princess Peach moment here, not going to lie. I love the color and how flowy and elegant this looks on her! I love how her hair is styled in a sorta vintage way—gives a nice balance to the modern dress and her vintage-Esque makeup and hair. Her hair and makeup are subtle, but noticeable and add an extra oomph to the look! She looks like a fairy princess, and with her voice and talent, she might as well actually be one!

Chloe x Halle

The R&B sister duo on the rise known as Chloe x Halle stun the world with their scandalous yet elegant Met Gala looks. The multi-Grammy vocalists make sure that everything they do will break the internet, and they did just that tonight. With Chloe delivering a show-stopping performance at last night’s VMAs to her debut solo single, Have Mercy, to Halle becoming the first Black [live-action] Disney princess, these girls have never missed.

Chloe Bailey responds to this year’s American theme by giving us an angelic and flowy look with a dramatic slit that highlights her jaw-dropping figure. She continues to make it known that she is royalty with her diamond necklace and a beautifully long cape that could keep going for miles. Chloe’s innocent yet sultry look keeps the fans wanting more from her. Our Little Mermaid, Halle Bailey, pays homage to Tina Turner by wearing a bubbly pink fringe dress with matching pink heels. After laying low from the media for 6 months while filming the Little Mermaid in London, Halle comes back and captivates us all as if she never left.

One thing these sisters are known for besides being phenomenal singers that make you shed a tear is their luscious locs. Chloe x Halle is widely popular for the beautifully styled locs that they have had since they were little kids. Though it is naturally brown, Chloe takes a spin and wears blonde locs that perfectly accommodate her white dress. Halle, on the other hand, sticks to her signature look and ties it up, letting her beauty and grace be the main focus of the night.

Timothee Chalamet

Actor Timothée Chalamet decided to debut a Haider Ackermann look for his first-ever Met Gala attendance. Chalamet, being a New York local, and this year's Met co-chair, knows the delicacy and prestige the event holds, decided to showcase a casual essence to his look, hence the sweatpants and tennis shoes, with touches of elegance by wearing a double-breasted suit jacket. Chalamet being of the few men in fashion’s biggest night went outside the box of the dull and repetitive black suit and tie. Moreover, Chalamet nodded onto the “American” theme with the classic high-top All-Star Converse, and hey, it doesn’t get as American as Converse. Timothée’s look nods to a gap in time for American fashion. His slicked-back hair and sophisticated upper half wink at men’s fashion around the late 1800s, whereas his lower half donning baggy sweatpants, and white high-top converse represent the modern laid-back take of today’s casual wear in America.