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Red carpet highlights from the Met Gala

From Janelle Monáe’s eye to Zendaya’s magic trick

By
May 7, 2019 at 2:56 p.m. EDT

Adapted from a story by The Washington Post’s Emily Yahr.

This year’s Met Gala theme was “camp.” No, not summer camp, though that became a quickly tired joke online. The theme (in celebration of the museum’s new “Camp: Notes on Fashion” exhibit) was inspired by writer Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on Camp.”

“It is not a natural mode of sensibility, if there be any such. Indeed the essence of Camp is its love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration,” Sontag wrote, and concluded, “The ultimate Camp statement: it’s good because it’s awful.”

Celebrities were more than happy to take on this challenge — here were some of the most-discussed moments from Monday night’s red carpet.

*Lady Gaga’s many layers.

* Lady Gaga, one of the co-hosts of the event, turned her ensemble into a four-part event.

Singer Lady Gaga had four different outfits by designer Brandon Maxwell on the red carpet of the Met Gala in New York on May 6. (Video: AP)

Gaga was best-dressed at the Golden Globes. But men made a strong showing, too.

* Kylie and Kendall Jenner’s coordination.

The sisters went with dual Versace, telling People magazine, “We came up with a fun vibe with Donatella.”

* Jared Leto carried his own head.

What else is there to say?

* Billy Porter’s golden wings.

The “Pose” star was carried in like royalty in an ensemble titled “Sun God.”

* Cardi B’s second Met Gala.

Last year, the rapper made her Met Gala debut. This year, she was determined to outdo herself — at least with the length of her train, which required its own entourage.

* Katy Perry’s chandelier.

With the shocking absence of Met Gala mainstay Sarah Jessica Parker, someone had to take the prize for most wild headpiece. Looks like Perry was one contender. (Cue the “it was lit” jokes.)

*Harry Styles’s sheer ensemble.

As one of the co-hosts of the Met Gala, the former One Direction member drew raves on social media.

* Zendaya’s magic trick.

The actress had a transformation after her stylist, Law Roach, waved his wand and illuminated her gown.

* Lupita Nyong’o’s rainbow multicolored look.

The “Us” star was a hit on Twitter, as matching your fan to your gown is always a solid idea.

Janelle Monáe says she is ‘pansexual.’ What does that mean?

* The “J Sisters,” also known as Priyanka Chopra and Sophie Turner.

The Jonas Brothers had family night out at the Met Gala, as newlyweds Nick and Priyanka showed up with even-more-newlyweds Joe and Sophie.

* Serena Williams’s sneakers.

The tennis superstar was also a Met Gala co-chair, and told “ET” that Vogue editor Anna Wintour encouraged her to wear sneakers.

* Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West.

They didn’t coordinate with Kendall and Kylie, but the star couple made their own statement.

* Janelle Monáe’s eye.

If you saw this and thought of Picasso. . .you are correct! Monae’s stylist explained to Varietythat the inspiration for the design came from the singer’s love of Picasso and Salvador Dali.

* Celine Dion’s headdress.

Someone else is going for the Sarah Jessica Parker headpiece hall of fame.

* Saoirse Ronan’s armor.

The actress, looking like royalty or possibly a “Game of Thrones” character, had one of Twitter’s favorite looks of the night.

* Cara Delevingne’s bananas.

Another solid headpiece contender.

* Nicki Minaj’s train.

Minaj’s gown, unsurprisingly, also needed a crew to help navigate the train.

* Ezra Miller’s many eyes.

The actor took off a mask to reveal. . .a lot more eyes. And it was hard to look away.

* Laverne Cox’s villain look.

“Villain” was a popular descriptor as people gushed over the “Orange Is the New Black” star’s gown; as in, “Laverne Cox is the Disney villain I didn’t know I needed.”

* Michael Urie’s double ensemble.

Urie may have embraced the “camp” theme more than anyone.