The stars came out on the red carpet, and stunned in their extravagant ensembles, all for ‘American Independence’… Here are some stunners from the Met Gala in New York City that we couldn’t resist sharing.

The annual fundraising event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City – the ‘Met’ – is one of the world’s biggest fashion happenings. Proceeds go the Museum’s Costume Institute, and the gala invites some of the biggest names in the world of entertainment, sports, art, and fashion, with all eyes naturally on the most spectacular outfits to grace the red carpet. The theme for this year’s 2021 Met Gala was ‘American Independence’, and the stars on the red carpet truly shone in their American spirit.

Jennifer Lopez in a custom Ralph Lauren embroidered Long Western Dress

Pop diva Jennifer Lopez channelled her inner cowboy in this custom Ralph Lauren embroidered, long Western dress with a thigh high slit.

Joan Smalls in a custom sequined ivory Ralph Lauren Gown

Model Joan Smalls wore a custom sequined ivory Ralph Lauren Gown with dimensional cutouts and a sweeping halter neckline. She paired this with jewellery from Anna Khoui.

Chance the Rapper & his wife Kristen Corley Bennett in Ralph Lauren

Chance the Rapper and his wife Kristen Corley Bennett spotted in Ralph Lauren where Charles wore a custom Ralph Lauren jacket, reminiscent of Polo Ralph Lauren’s iconic 1992 Stadium collection, and Kristen wore a Ralph Lauren detailed gown with delicate gold chain along the open back.

Russel Westbrook in a navy Ralph Lauren Purple Label tuxedo

Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Russel Westbrook is living his dream as a fashion-savvy sports figure; he wore a dark dusty navy Ralph Lauren Purple Label tuxedo and combined it with an interesting hairdo – with the stars from the Stars and Stripes colourfully embedded in his hair.

Rihanna in Bulgari set in Platinum. Photo credit – InStar

Rihanna, last to arrive, set the red carpet on fire in an oversized, ruffled Balenciaga overcoat with matching hat. She was dripping head to toe in Bulgari jewellery, all set in Platinum:

a Bulgari High Jewelry necklace in platinum with nine pear-cut diamonds (14.55 ct), 107 round brilliant-cut diamonds (35.84 ct), and pavé-set diamonds (6.54 ct); a Bulgari Heritage necklace that is convertible into bracelets in platinum set with a mix of round, brilliant, baguette, and tapered diamonds (81.9 ct), circa 1959; a Bulgari High Jewelry earrings in platinum with four pear-shaped radiant-cut diamonds (18.45 ct) and two baguette diamonds (only one earring was worn); a Bulgari Heritage bracelet in platinum set with a mix of round, brilliant, oval, and baguette diamonds (59.5 ct), circa 1955.

Lupita Nyong'O in De Beers set in Platinum. Photo credit – InStar

Kenyan-born star Lupita Nyong’O wore three De Beers diamond necklaces set in Platinum with her Atelier Versace denim Couture gown.

Hailey Bieber in Tiffany & Co. jewellery set in Platinum. Photo credit – InStar

Hailey Bieber stepped in wearing Tiffany & Co. jewellery set in Platinum, that she paired with a simple, floor-length gown by Saint Laurent (hubby Justin Bieber was also spotted wearing all-black). This is the Tiffany & Co. jewellery she shone in: necklace with diamonds, set in Platinum; Tiffany True® engagement ring, set in Platinum; Tiffany Soleste® emerald-cut halo engagement ring with a diamond band, set in Platinum; Tiffany Embrace® band ring with diamonds, set in Platinum.

Sienna Miller in Gucci at the Met Gala. Photo courtesy Getty for Gucci

Sienna Miller wore a Gucci rose beige lace long sleeve gown with translucent sequin embroidered floral motif and crystal harness detail with a rose beige ostrich feather coat, silver metallic leather high heel platform sandals and a pale pink satin GG Marmont clutch. She completed her look with Gucci High Jewelry Hortus Deliciarum earrings in white gold with diamonds and a Gucci High Jewelry Hortus Deliciarum ring in white gold, blue-green tourmaline and diamonds.

Serena Williams in Gucci at the Met Gala. Photo courtesy Getty for Gucci

Serena Williams wore a custom Gucci silver lace corseted bodysuit with lace neckline and open back embroidered with pink rhinestone and sequin stars with silver lace leggings, silver lace gloves, silver metallic leather high-heel platform sandals and a silver metallic leather Jackie 1961 mini bag with metallic piston closure. She completed her look with a cream, pink and black feather degradé long cape. Alexis Ohanian wore a Gucci black wool silk GG stripe two button grosgrain peak lapel jacket with a white evening shirt, black wool mohair trousers, white and silver iridescent lace bowtie and black leather lace-ups.

James Corden in Gucci. Photo courtesy Getty for Gucci

James Corden wore a custom Gucci black silk floral jacquard two button peak lapel three-piece tuxedo with a white piquet bib evening shirt, black silk bowtie, and black leather lace-ups.

PJ Tucker in Gucci. Photo courtesy Getty for Gucci

PJ Tucker wore a Gucci brick red velvet double-breasted suit with Gucci Eschatology label detail and flared pants with a white lace shirt, brown leather boots with GG Chain detail, lion head brooch in metal with aged gold finish and green cabochon and gold metal frame sunglasses with yellow lenses

Nyjah Huston in Gucci. Photo courtesy Getty for Gucci

Nyjah Huston wore a Gucci white two button grosgrain peak lapel New Marseille tuxedo with a white evening shirt with self-fabric bow and black leather ankle boots with gold buckle detail.

JR in Gucci. Photo courtesy Getty for Gucci

JR wore a Gucci black floral jacquard two button satin peak lapel evening jacket with a white evening shirt, black wool mohair pants and white leather Ace sneakers with perforated Interlocking G detail.

Cara Delevingne in Dior at the Met Gala

Cara Delevingne wore Dior Haute Couture 30 Montaigne white wool and silk pants with a Dior white leather plastron and Dior shoes. (Makeup by Dior Beauty.)

Yara Shahidi in Dior at the Met Gala

Yara Shahidi wore a Dior Haute Couture brown embroidered silk dress with a gold tulle cape, Dior gloves, hair accessory, belt, and shoes. (Makeup by Dior Beauty.)

Rachel Zegler wears Dior to the Met Gala

Rachel Zegler wore a Dior Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2021 draped dress with ‘The Empress’ motif in multicoloured dévoré velvet. She also wore Dior fine jewellery.

Sharon Stone in Chopard at the Met Gala Precious Lace Collection Earrings by Chopard

Sharon Stone selected earrings featuring a pair of cushion shaped emeralds totalling 13.41-carats, and 13.77-carats of diamonds set in 18 k white Fairmined-certified gold from the ‘Precious Lace Collection’ paired with a rings from the ‘Haute Joaillerie Collection’.

Amanda Gorman in Chopard at the Met Gala Haute Joaillerie Collection Earrings by Chopard Haute Joaillerie Collection Ring by Chopard

Amanda Gorman selected earrings in 18 k white gold featuring a pair a cushion-shaped sapphires totalling 4.29 carats, 5 carats of diamond nizam beads and 1.22 carats of diamonds and a ring set in 18 k white gold featuring a 1.77 carat cushion-shaped sapphire, 2.81 carats of diamond nizam beads and 1.14 carats of diamonds both from the ‘Haute Joaillerie Collection’.

Mindy Kaling in Tory Burch. Photo courtesy Getty

Actor Mindy Kaling wore a custom navy silk Tory Burch shantung dress with shirred deep-V bodice with contrast black taffeta petticoat and a tech-knit belt with hook-and-eye closures. On her feet were black Jimmy Choo pumps.

Kristine Froseth in Tory Burch. Photo courtesy Getty

Kristine Froseth wore a Tory Burch custom poppy red cotton poplin halter dress with white double topstitch trim and pockets. She also wore sterling silver arm cuffs, bracelet, and hoop earrings from the Tory Burch Spring/Summer 2022 collection.

Chloe Fineman in Tory Burch. Photo courtesy Getty

Chloe Fineman wore a Tory Burch custom ivory silk chiffon and organza dress with plunging neckline, graphic topstitch embroidery and pockets.

Designer Tory Burch in Tory Burch

Designer Tory Burch wore a Tory Burch custom cream and black crepe V-neck pleated gown with dolman sleeves and black piping.

Sofia Sanchez de Betak in Tory Burch, and Alex

Sofia Sanchez de Betak wore Tory Burch Spring/Summer 2022 Look 19, a black stretch cotton top and white cotton poplin skirt with topstitch pocket and waistband. She also wore a black cord and sterling silver pendant.