While for most stars the Met Gala is a night to channel all-out glamour, actor Riz Ahmed used the occasion to make a different style statement.
The theme for the 2022 Met Gala was Gilded Glamour, and for his look the Sound of Metal star took inspiration from an underrepresented group from New York’s gilded age — immigrants.
Ahmed shone a spotlight on the major class discrepancy that existed in late-19th century New York, with his look inspired by the clothing of an immigrant labourer. He collaborated with brand 4S Designs, which is founded by immigrant Angelo Urrutia, wearing an open, navy-blue jacket over a white vest and matching drawstring trousers, which he tucked into heavy-duty boots.
“This is an homage to the immigrant workers who kept the Gilded Age going,” he told reporters from the red carpet.
Ahmed’s look was put together by his stylist Julie Ragolia, who explained the inspiration behind it to Vanity Fair. “In thinking about the Met Gala theme of Gilded Glamour, I wanted to focus on the people without whom nothing Gilded would exist: the labourers, the workers, the unseen," she said. "This look is for everyone who thinks they don’t have a voice. They do.”
The look stood in stark contrast to other guests' interpretation of the Gilded Glamour theme, which spurred plenty of shimmering, golden outfits, regency-era shapes and white-tie tailoring.
However, in announcing the theme, the Met Gala’s organisers did acknowledge the stark contrasts of class during the era, encouraging guests to “embody the grandeur — and perhaps the dichotomy — of Gilded Age New York.”
Fashion’s biggest night saw several other red-carpet statements from fashion’s A-list, including Kim Kardashian, who wore the exact dress Marilyn Monroe wore to sing Happy Birthday to US president John F Kennedy on his 45th birthday in 1962.
Billie Eilish also made a statement in upcycled Gucci, taking inspiration from John Singer Sargent’s 1885 portrait of Madame Paul Poirson.
See the best looks from the 2022 Met Gala:
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Event co-hosts Blake Lively, wearing Atelier Versace, and Ryan Reynolds arrive at the 2022 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday, Mr President' dress, and Pete Davidson. AFP -
Kylie Jenner wears an off-white wedding dress-style gown. AFP -
Billie Eilish, wearing Gucci. Reuters -
Gigi Hadid, wearing a Versace jumpsuit and puffer. AP Photo -
Kendall Jenner, in a full black gown. AFP -
Bella Hadid, wearing a black lace design. AFP -
Daniel Roseberry and Carey Mulligan, wearing a gown with a gold bodice and train by Schiaparelli. AFP -
Megan Thee Stallion, wearing in a gold two-piece Moschino design. Reuters -
Lizzo, wearing black and gold Thom Browne. AP Photo -
Khloe Kardashian, wearing a gold column Moschino gown. AFP -
Emma Stone, wearing Louis Vuitton. EPA -
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker, both wearing Thom Browne. Reuters -
Cynthia Erivo, wearing Louis Vuitton. EPA -
Camila Cabello, wearing all-white Prabal Gurung. Reuters -
Camila Mendes, wearing a gold Ami dress. AFP -
Shawn Mendes, wearing Tommy Hilfiger. EPA -
Dakota Johnson, wearing Gucci. AP -
Austin Butler and Priscilla Presley, wearing Prada. AP Photo -
Kate Moss, wearing a black velvet Burberry gown. AFP -
Vanessa Hudgens, wearing a sheer black gown by Moschino. EPA -
Kacey Musgraves, wearing Moschino. EPA -
YouTuber Emma Chamberlain, wearing Louis Vuitton. AFP -
Anna Wintour, wearing a multi-coloured sequin gown. EPA -
Kris Jenner, wearing a yellow kaftan-style dress. AFP -
Co-chair of the 2022 Met Gala Lin-Manuel Miranda and his wife Vanessa Nadal. AFP -
Gemma Chan, wearing Louis Vuitton. AP Photo -
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, wearing Louis Vuitton. AFP -
Phoebe Dynevor, wearing Louis Vuitton. AP -
Maude Apatow, wearing a sheer black Miu Miu dress. EPA -
Amber Valletta, wearing a gold gown. EPA -
Kaia Gerber, wearing shimmering Alexander McQueen. AFP -
Dove Cameron, in a sheer gown with wing detail. AFP -
Miranda Kerr, wearing white Oscar de la Renta. EPA -
Jared Leto, matching Gucci's Alessandro Michele, both wearing Gucci. AP Photo -
Addison Rae, wearing a shimmering gown. AFP -
Awkwafina, wearing a peach to red ombre gown. AP Photo -
Emily Ratajkowski, wearing vintage Versace. AFP -
Lily James, in a beaded gown. AFP -
Lily Allen, wearing a feathered Chanel gown, with husband David Harbour. AFP -
Lily Aldridge, in a crystal Khaite gown. AFP -
Simone Ashley, in a black skirt with a gold crop top by Moschino. AFP -
Chloe Bailey, in a full gold gown. AP Photo -
Naomi Campbell, in a black Burberry gown with sequinned detail. AP Photo -
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy. AP Photo -
Cara Delevingne, wearing a red suit. AFP -
Elon Musk, wearing white tie, with his mother, Maye Musk. AFP -
Emma Corrin, wearing oversized Miu Miu. AP Photo -
Gwen Stefani, wearing neon yellow Vera Wang. EPA -
Kerry Washington, wearing black sheer Tory Burch. EPA -
Jessica Chastain, wearing oxblood sequinned Gucci. AFP -
Amy Schumer, Venus Williams, Gabriela Hearst and Xiye Bastida in head-to-toe black on the red carpet. EPA -
Tessa Thompson, wearing pink tulle Carolina Herrera. AFP -
Ariana DeBose, wearing black and gold Moschino. EPA -
Sarah Jessica Parker, wearing monochrome Christopher John Rogers. EPA -
Michaela Jae Rodriguez, wearing ombre gold and silver Moschino. AFP -
Anitta, wearing purple peplum Moschino. AP Photo -
Lila Grace Moss, wearing a nude sheer Burberry gown. AFP -
Nicki Minaj, wearing a full black Burberry gown. EPA -
Bad Bunny, wearing Burberry. AFP -
Karlie Kloss, wearing lace Givenchy. AFP -
Cardi B, in a gold gown. EPA -
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz in a pink Givenchy dress. EPA -
Glenn Close, in a pink caped dress, and Italian designer Pier Paolo Pasolini. AFP -
Katy Perry, in a black dress with a full train. AFP -
Winnie Harlow, in a white tulle design. AFP -
Nicola Coughlan, wearing a black and pink gown. AFP
