Met Gala pushes for diversity: Amanda Gorman to join Billie Eilish, Timothee Chalamet and Naomi Osaka as co-chairs

Traditionally held in May, the charity ball – one of the biggest fashion events of the year – was postponed to September 13 in the hope that many Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted by then

From left, singer Billie Eilish, poet Amanda Gorman and tennis star Naomi Osaka, who will co-chair the Met Gala on September 13. AP

New York's star-studded Met Gala will focus on youth and diversity this year, with four co-chairs under the age of 30 – actor Timothee Chalamet, poet Amanda Gorman, singer Billie Eilish and tennis player Naomi Osaka.

Normally held in early May, the charity ball was postponed to September 13 in the hope that many Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted by then.

The 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The honorary co-chairs will be Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue who has turned the gala into a global event, designer Tom Ford and Adam Mosseri, director of Instagram, which is sponsoring the event.

Scroll through our gallery of the best Mel Gala looks ever:

1985: 35 years ago Cher turned up with costume designer to the stars Bob Mackie, wearing his design (which looks like something that has now been recreated by the likes of J-Lo and the Kardashian clan about 1,000 times). Look, she was even an early adopter of the 'Maria Tash' ear cuff. Getty Images

1990: In the '90s, Naomi Campbell was definitely the person who had the most fun with fashion at the Met Gala. This was her Met Gala debut: the Versace mini dress is so perfectly '90s. Getty Images

2004: Golden Balenciaga was the order of the day for Diane Kruger in 2004 when the theme was "Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century". As you can see by the dirty pavement, the red carpet itself didn't really exist back then, but she still brought red carpet glam. Getty Images

2005: Karolina Kurkova's Chanel gown emblazoned with 'I Love You' was a true statement look, when, 15 years ago, the outfits at the Costume Institute Gala were far more subdued. It also kind of looks like a duvet, which appeals to our comfort dressing instincts. Getty Images

2006: John Galliano, the man behind this stage-costume-like dress, walked Charlize Theron down the red carpet. The theme on the night was "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion". Getty Images

2006: Meanwhile, Sarah Jessica Parker truly stuck to the British theme in this design by the late, great Alexander McQueen. Getty Images

2007: Gold headband, gorgeous purple dress, Lucy Liu stole the show in Zac Posen in 2007. Getty Images

2007: While Renee Zellweger was all subdued sparkle in Carolina Herrera. Getty Images

2008: The theme this year was Superheroes, and yet most in attendance went for very simple gowns. Supermodel Amber Valletta, however, looked like an actual caped crusader, albeit a very fabulous one, in Versace. Getty Images

2008: Zac Posen is the king of big, feminine Met Gala gowns. This yellow dress worn by Kate Mara would be considered shy and retiring by today's Costume Institute standards, but was actually one of the boldest gowns on the red carpet 12 years ago. Getty Images

2009: Suits are a dime a dozen on the red carpet these days, but they were rare at the Met Gala when Rihanna wore this Dolce and Gabanna two-piece. It's not necessarily the pinnacle of today's style, but it was a major moment 11 years ago. (Keep scrolling to see further proof that this woman is a style trail blazer). Getty Images

2010: It's simple, but sometimes all a red carpet needs is a shimmering, strapless champagne ball gown. This number Anne Hathaway is wearing is by her go-to designer Valentino. EPA

2011: Jennifer Lopez arrived to the Met Gala with Marc Anthony on her arm in 2011, oh how times have changed. But one thing that's timeless is this Gucci dress, floral shrug and all. EPA

2012: Turban, rose gold, high-necked, sequins for days - Karolina Kurkova is the epitome of modest chic in this custom Rachel Zoe. EPA

2012: Tulle and embellishments are two mainstays of red carpet dressing, and this Dolce and Gabbana gown combines them in a very surprising way. Fast fact: 2012 was also the year Scarlett Johansson joined the 'Avengers' movies. EPA

2013: We personally think this hot pink Valentino tops Gwyneth Paltrow's famous pink Oscars gown (which was too twee for our taste). It's timeless yet very contemporary, quite a feat. EPA

2013: The theme this year was Punk, and while Uma Thurman didn't stick to it by even an inch, we don't care, because this green Zac Posen gown is old-Hollywood glamour at its best. He looks proud as punch posing with his design - and, as he should, the workmanship is beautiful. EPA

2014: Rihanna follows her own path, and sets trends in the process. This 2014 Stella McCartney design definitely seems to have inspired plenty of Hadid-sister-era looks. She's a fashion icon of our times for a reason. EPA

2014: Both sculptural, and like a painting, this Marchesa gown is unusual and yet very classic in sensibility. Karolina Kurkova is definitely a model that uses her red carpet powers for good. EPA

2014: Zac Posen is a master of the feminine, classical fairytale gown, but ones that flatter the wearer. Liu Wen looks stunning in this turquoise dress. A true Cinderella moment. EPA

2015: This Guo Pei yellow dress launched a thousand memes (is it an omelette or Big Bird?) but, really, it's a work of art. The theme this year was China, and the fact Rihanna opted for a Chinese designer rather than going for some badly pitched appropriation makes her a winner in our eyes. EPA

2015: This unusual Giles dress gets an A for originality, which is kind of Solange's personal style modus operandi. EPA

2016: The lake of a train on this Dolce & Gabbana gown mimics a peacock, which is a gloriously show-off move by Zoe Saldana. EPA

2016: More Zac Posen - we just can't get enough of him. What you can't see here is that this ice white dress Claire Danes wore is actually glow in the dark. You've got to love a dress with a sense of the dramatic. EPA

2017: It is called the Costume Institute Gala after all, and Rihanna always delivers. This Comme des Garcons design is pure pouf but also very elegant. Again, a work of art. EPA

2018: We've shown some serious favouritism toward Rihanna in this list, but she deserves it because she always brings something worth talking about. Some may think she took the "Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" theme too literally, but this Margiela-designed, Pope-inspired look was the most talked about of the night. EPA

2018: Swarovski headgear turns this cardinal red velvet Ralph Lauren dress into a work of art - and we think this is Priyanka Chopra's best Met Gala look to date. EPA

2018: A dress that truly requires a grand staircase, this Versace dress that followed Blake Lively up the Metropolitan Museum's stairs reportedly took 600 man hours to make. That's extra. EPA

2019: This Versace column gown is made of crystal-embroidered stars, what's no to love? The always-stylish Lupita Nyong'o worked closely with Donatella Versace in its creation. EPA

2019: Gaga isn't known as the shy and retiring type when it comes to style choices, and this hot pink Brandon Maxwell has to be her biggest gown to date. She stripped off to a bodysuit later in the evening, proving this look is as versatile as it is voluminous. EPA

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute relies on the Met Gala to fund its work, including exhibitions and acquisitions, and the cancellation of last year's event badly damaged its finances.

A regular on red carpets, Franco-American Chalamet, 25, has a reputation for fashionable outfits, wearing Alexander McQueen flower-printed suits, and – at the 2019 Golden Globes – a glittering Louis Vuitton harness.

Timothee Chalamet at the 2019 Baftas. AFP

Gorman, 23, became an international sensation after reciting her poem The Hill We Climb, inspired by the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, at President Joe Biden's inauguration.

Gorman, who is African-American, then became the first-ever poet to perform at the Super Bowl, America's most-watched broadcast of the year.

Better known for her casual style, including large T-shirts, singer Eilish, 19, recently appeared on the cover of British Vogue.

Osaka, 23, the world's number two women's tennis player, has also made waves in the fashion world, becoming a Louis Vuitton ambassador.

Osaka, who has a Japanese mother and Haitian father, has also collaborated on designs for bags and swimsuits.

The Met Gala will be held in two stages, with a first reception on Monday, September 13 and another on Monday, May 2, 2022.

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Read more:

Take a bow: 59 photos that chart Rihanna's style journey from music star to fashion mogul

Courtroom to red carpet: 27 photos that show Amal Clooney's style journey

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