Met Gala 2021: Rihanna, Billie Eilish, Dan Levy and more honour American fashion - Action News
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Met Gala 2021: Rihanna, Billie Eilish, Dan Levy and more honour American fashion

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

Hollywood's biggest stars dress to impress in Part 1 of annual fashion night

Singer Billie Eilish attends the 2021 Met Gala, celebrating the theme of 'In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion' at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

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," isPart 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 anda gymnastand early carpet walkers in sultry, sparkly looks.

This year, the gala is co-hosted by Timothe Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka. Honorary chairs are Tom Ford andsponsor Instagram's Adam Mosseri,alongside Vogue's Anna Wintour, who has served as chair for every Met Gala since 1995.

Keke Palmer wore a stunning, earth-tone body-hugging dress with a train at the annual event. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

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.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky arrived fashionably late to the Met Gala, making their red carpet debut as a couple. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, one of the last to arrive was superstar Rihanna and boyfriend A$ap Rocky. The two arrived fashionably late Rihanna in a black coat dress paired with Bulgari jewels, and Rocky in a quilted look covering a more traditional tux.

The appearance also marked their official debut as a couple since their relationship was confirmed late last year.

Co-chair Timothe Chalamet upheld his fashion reputation with a streetwear-inspired look. ( Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Dune star Timothe Chalamet turned heads with his all-white ensemble, finished by a pair of Converse high-tops.

Chalamet has become somewhat of a force in the fashion world, lauded by numerous outlets as one of the best dressed men in Hollywood. When announcing his Met Gala hosting-duties, Voguenoted his "unexpected mix of streetwear, lack of a stylistand embrace of avant-garde labels," as setting his style choices apart.

Eilish said it was time to experiment with a different expression of femininity in her fashion. (Theo Wargo / Getty)

Singer Billie Eilish, meanwhile, stunned with a flowing gown replete with a flowing train, requiring helpers to carry and smooth it out as she entered the event.

In choosing theOscar de la Renta-crafted dress, Eilish said she felt like "it was time" to explore a different version of femininity, diverging from her typicallystreetwear-inspired past outfits.

Rapper Lil Nas X's outfit was pure gold, and led to a number of costume changes. ( Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Rap star Lil Nas X glittered in gold, showing off in a one piece suit that was only revealed under a full body cape and golden suit of armour.

Co-chair Amanda Gorman wore a custom blue Vera Wang dress for the event. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Co-chair Amanda Gorman, meanwhile, was breathtaking in custom Vera Wang, with a diamond laureate in her hair.

Gorman's dress, which included more than 3,000 hand-sewn crystals, was made to evoke a starry night sky. She told Vogue she felt like Lady Liberty, reimagined. Her crown, the star poet said, was a nod to publishing.

Tennis star Naomi Osaka said her outfit was inspired by her Japanese, Haitian and American roots. ( Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

The final host, Naomi Osaka, wanted to celebrate all her cultures Japanese, Haitian and American and picked a Louis Vuitton gown designed in collaboration with her sister, Mari Osaka.

It was a swirlingblue, aqua and purple print, with long, black ruffle sleeves and a wide red sash.

Canadians Grimes, Elliot Page and Dan Levy turned heads with their unique fashion choices. (Theo Warger/Getty Images, Mike Coppola/Getty Images, Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

A number of Canadian stars also made a splash with their fashion choices. Singer Grimes showed up in a Dune-inspired dress, Elliot Page modelled a simple, tie-less black suit and Schitt's Creek actor Dan Levy shocked in a blue confection from Loewe.

It had, according to the brand, "printed leg of mutton sleeves" on a polo shirtwith an appliqu of two men kissing.

From left to right: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez poses with Canadian designer Aurora James, Simu Liu makes his Met Gala debut, and singer Shawn Mendes pairs his chest with a leather blazer. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, Theo Wargo/Getty Images, Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Not to be upstaged, Canadian designer Aurora James posed with U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the "tax the rich" dress she designed an opulentdecision some are criticizing as hypocritical whileShang-Chistar Simu Liu swaggered through in a Fendi white blazer with black accents.

Singer Shawn Mendes took a more bold approach, pairing a leather, rock star chic look with his bare chest.

Justin and Hailey Bieber showed up to the fashion event in matching black outfits. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Justin Biebermade a showing in a dark suit and suitcase from Drew House, the singer's fashion line. He arrived with his wife, Hailey Bieber, whose black column gown was a perfectmatch forJustin's outfit.

Canadian tennis player Felix Auger-Aliassime appears with his girlfriend, Nina Ghaibi, left, while fellow Canadian tennis star Leylah Fernandez appears in a black striped dress. (Angela Weiss/Getty Images)

Canadian tennis stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and LeylahAnnie Fernandez arrived to the event slightly later.

While Nia Dennis, left, performs a gymnastics routine on the steps of the Met Gala, fellow gymnast Simone Biles opted for more formal attire, continuing the night's trend of flowing gowns. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images, Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

But asathletes showing off their fashion prowess, they weren't alone. GymnastsNia Dennis and Simone Biles made an appearance Dennis in a sleek blue bodysuitand Biles in a flowing gown.

Kirsten Corley and Chance the Rapper showed up in co-ordinating outfits. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

While Chance the Rapper, along with his partner Kirsten Coley, also appeared in co-ordinatingblack outfits.

Yara Shahidi said she was inspired by civil rights activist Josephine Baker for her dress. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

And Yara Shahidi wore silver custom Dior complete with a headpiece, saying she was inspired by performer and civil rights activist Josephine Baker.

Lorde's regal outfit was seemingly a tie-in to her recent album, Solar Power. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

New Zealand pop star Lorde, who recently re-entered public life with the release of her albumSolar Power, arrived with a crown.

Gigi Hadid, left, and Jennifer Lopez show off their unique looks at the 2021 Met Gala. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images, Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Gigi Hadid revealed a Prada outfit paired with stunning red hair, while Jennifer Lopez's Ralph Lauren look had a distinct Old West inspiration.

American singer-songwriter Frank Ocean holds a robot baby as he arrives for the Met Gala. (Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images)

Frank Ocean's surreal fashion choice included an understated Prada jacket paired with a green robotic babythat movedseemingly on its own as he walked up the steps to the ceremony.

Met Gala overseer Anna Wintour wore a floral-inspired outfit. ( Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Anna Wintour arrived early, with a wave to the crowd, accompanied by her pregnant daughter, Bee, in a floral design with ruffles at the neck.

Considered fashion's biggest night, A-list guests from music, film, TV, tech and beyond are encouraged to embrace the theme of the new exhibition each year as they slowly make their way up the museum's red-carpeted stairs.

Interpretation is everything when it comes to how they dress and how they enter.

With files from The Associated Press.