Riz Ahmed's Met Gala outfit pays homage to 19th-century immigrants in New York

Actor wore a navy jacket and trousers over a white vest, paired with heavy-duty boots

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.

Riz Ahmed's look was designed by 4S Designs, a label founded by an immigrant. AP

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:

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