Year after year, the Met Gala is the biggest night in fashion. The annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City has also become a chance for celebrities to essentially cosplay by wearing over-the-top haute couture outfits.
This year, the theme was “Notes on Camp.” And by camp, we’re taking John Waters and RuPaul’s Drag Race, not tents and wilderness. And while some of the attendees did not get the memo on what the theme was, there was enough amazing and out-there fashion on display to bring the house down. And here are some of our favorite examples.
As one of the campiest entertainers of the past decade, Lady Gaga knew she had to bring it this year, and bring it she did. She revealed four looks on the runway, and started the night off right.
The #MetGala just started and Lady Gaga has had 4 outfit changes. pic.twitter.com/YuEcnFPb8Y
— Complex (@Complex) May 6, 2019
Not to be outdone, Janelle Monae wore hats that wore hats that wore hats. And our hats are off to her.
janelle monae is coming for THROATSSS #MetGala pic.twitter.com/MqSzoA9pWV
— jared (@jaredbxrgess) May 6, 2019
If and when Disney does a live-action Frozen movie, they should be sure to call Gemma Chan. We have our Elsa.
Gemma Chan stab me with your head piece #metgala pic.twitter.com/EplcDwflfX
— benji x (@benarmishaw) May 7, 2019
Cardi B. knocked ’em dead with this one.
Cardi B #MetGala pic.twitter.com/fP4fSPl7FK
— met gala 2019 (@2015smetgala) May 7, 2019
Billy Porter brought all the camp glamour of the Harlem ball scene from his series Pose, and then some.
Billy Porter #MetGala pic.twitter.com/2CH26r1qyw
— met gala 2019 (@2015smetgala) May 6, 2019
While a lot of the gentlemen were afraid to go full camp (WAY too many standard black tuxedos), these guys accepted the challenge and brought it. Bravo to Harry Styles…
#MetGala OH MY GOSH HARRY STYLES
who are u??? pic.twitter.com/eXTmmlJn3m— mamka aist na линке (@iamaist) May 7, 2019
…and to Darren Criss…
Darren Criss knows how to do it. pic.twitter.com/4xb5EUPjv7
— iconic | ??????? ??????? (@faveslooks) May 7, 2019
…and credit where credit’s due to Jared Leto.
.@JaredLeto shows us that two heads may be better than one on the #MetGala red carpet. #MetCamp pic.twitter.com/TVl6cOZstA
— The Met (@metmuseum) May 7, 2019
Celine Dion brought some of that Las Vegas camp with her to the Met, and nailed it.
Céline Dion #MetGala pic.twitter.com/1pvHG1QPIi
— met gala 2019 (@2015smetgala) May 6, 2019
Ezra Miller was truly a sight to behold.
21. My god Ezra Miller is a genius. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/dVILnTpuq2
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) May 7, 2019
Michael Eurie: when you can’t decide, just choose both looks.
he won. michael urie took the title. everyone else go home. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/XbjOw5iiOX
— bee (@abeiIIes) May 7, 2019
As the king of campy TV like American Horror Story and Feud, Ryan Murphy had a lot to live up to, and did not disappoint!
Another emerging trend: men in capes. @mrrpmurphy’s is particularly dramatic, covered in pearls and crystals. See more from the #MetGala: https://t.co/iSuexc8sBe #MetCamp pic.twitter.com/CH2gtlQPGX
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 6, 2019
The ladies of Black Panther turned it out. Both Danai Gurira and Lupita Nyong’o have us saying “Wakanda Forever” all over again.
Me and Oscar Wilde, my inspiration for the evening: the dandy reimagined. @GabrielaHearst #MetGala pic.twitter.com/8NvhLVQKEo
— Danai Gurira (@DanaiGurira) May 7, 2019
You better work! #MetGala pic.twitter.com/v1tdsE9YEm
— Lupita Nyong’o (@Lupita_Nyongo) May 7, 2019
Inspired by the camp classic film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Katy Perry came to slay. And then she then changed into a hamburger outfit. A+ for effort.
katy perry serving Priscilla Queen of the Desert realness #MetGala pic.twitter.com/gI6qJepFwU
— mat whitehead (@matwhi) May 6, 2019
From Chandelier to Burger real quick! Katy Perry only ?? #MetGala pic.twitter.com/m5M0vRQbsb
— ?????? ??????? (@femalemonsterZ) May 7, 2019
Country singer Kasey Musgraves left her dream house to come to the ball as Barbie. Ken called in sick it seems.
Kacey Musgraves #MetGala pic.twitter.com/KPzvMXAIRU
— met gala 2019 (@2015smetgala) May 6, 2019
Gal Gadot’s look was maybe not exactly campy, just fierce, but she remains our Wonder Woman on the runway.
.@GalGadot looks breathtaking in her outfit for the #MetGala. (?: Dimitrios Kambouris) pic.twitter.com/54HXXO6rTj
— Pop Crave (@PopCraveNet) May 6, 2019
If Thor 4 shoots anytime soon, you might want to give Ciara a call. Just sayin’.
My jaw is on the floor. #Ciara #MetGala #MetGala2019 pic.twitter.com/B5WHH7lqCl
— Gibson Johns (@gibsonoma) May 7, 2019
JLo giving us a full on Xanadu moment.
Jennifer Lopez arrives at the #MetGala in Versace pic.twitter.com/1MJiRagrPS
— elle (@ellecarles) May 7, 2019
We don’t think any photographers paid attention to what Hailee Steinfeld’s dress was trying to tell them. At all.
Hailee Steinfeld got the theme right. Take notes girls. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/rlycG61Je4
— Jason Rosenberg (@mynameisjro) May 7, 2019
It’s the Suicide Squad’s Enchantress, by way of Willy Wonka. And we live for it, Cara Delevigne.
.@Caradelevingne never shies away from a red carpet statement. See more from the #MetGala: https://t.co/GlWIttyGCI #MetCamp pic.twitter.com/2e1qbnaA5L
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 7, 2019
American Horror Story: Apocalypse star Cody Fern was more avant-garde than camp, but this is still super fierce.
Cody fern omg #MetGala pic.twitter.com/OE6hBjqidy
— مريم (@meroh1h) May 7, 2019
RuPaul famously almost never does Drag unless he’s performing, but you can’t say he didn’t do the assignment.
After all the speculation, @RuPaul has decided not to show up in drag at this year’s #METGala. pic.twitter.com/Z5VZ9VdXPZ
— Affinity Magazine (@TheAffinityMag) May 7, 2019
And to close out the night, pop royalty Cher was the surprise performer, busting out many wigs and some ABBA tunes. It doesn’t get campier than that.
CHER PERFORMED WATERLOO AT THE MET GALA ?? pic.twitter.com/Rl7pX7o3rU
— ash✌?? (@ASHLEYWEBERR) May 7, 2019
Images: NBC New York/YouTube