By Nell Geraets
The Metropolitan Museum of Art was transformed into a fairytale garden on Monday, graced by celebrities draped in flowers, jewels and haute couture. But the Met Gala, which this year followed a “Garden of Time” theme, is not only known for the outfits worn on the carpet.
It’s also known for the after-party looks, most of which are a little more revealing and a little less grandiose. From the Soho House and Porsche Electric party to Emily Ratajkowski’s bash at the Water Street Associates Building, these are the best red carpet transformations of the night.
Janelle Monáe
There’s more to Janelle Monáe than meets the eye. The actor and singer traded her ethereal Vera Wang couture dress, replete with flowers made from recycled plastic bottles, with a campy Area halter-style mini-dress covered in googly eyes. She completed the tongue-in-cheek look with white platform heels, each with one eye, and two large eyes across her face.
All eyes were on Janelle Monáe at the Met Gala carpet and after-party.Credit: AP/Getty Images
Lana Del Rey
Unlike Monáe, singer Lana Del Rey committed to a similar theme throughout the night. After gliding up the Met stairs in a cream Alexander McQueen sheath gown by Seán McGirr – a look that conjured images of wood nymphs – she spent the rest of the night in a different semi-sheer veiled ensemble, one with a delicate flower-embroidered cream bustier bodice.
Lana Del Rey channelled “gentle wood nymph” throughout the night.Credit: AP/Getty Images
Usher
Usher graced the Met Gala carpet in an Alexander McQueen black suit and Zorro-esque cape adorned with bright red artificial roses. For the Times Square Edition Hotel after-party, he ditched the cape for a maroon velvet suit and black sunglasses. But the rose motif remained thanks to an oversized floral boutonniere.
Usher was all wine and roses at the Met Gala this year.Credit: AP/Getty Images
Kendall Jenner
Model and reality TV star Kendall Jenner “pulled a Zendaya” at the after-parties, changing into two different looks over the course of the night.
After channelling flapper girl on the carpet in her Alexander McQueen gown from Givenchy’s 1999 couture collection, Jenner slipped into a white mini-dress with sculpted corseted bodice that looked like two angel wings, another Givenchy by Alexander McQueen piece. Later, she changed into a lacy white mini-dress by Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood.
Kendall Jenner traded in black and gold for white and angelic.Credit: AP/GC Images
Barry Keoghan
The Saltburn star went full mad hatter at the Met Gala, wearing a velvet Burberry suit and wool top hat (this was reportedly inspired by Count Axel in J.G. Ballard’s short story The Garden of Time, the theme of the evening). However, the Soho and Porsche Electric after-party called for far less whimsy. So Keoghan opted for a very casual activewear set, including a bright blue T-shirt and white windbreaker.
Barry Keoghan went from mad hatter to sportswear chic.Credit: AP/Getty Images
FKA Twigs
Singer and after-party host FKA Twigs went from a bejewelled Stella McCartney two-piece with an oversized knit cloak to a nude sheath dress perfect for vogueing competitions.
FKA Twigs swapped out her oversized knit cloak for a slinky sheath dress.Credit: AP/Getty Images
Lil Nas X
Though generally known for going all out at the Met Gala, Lil Nas X opted for a relatively toned-down look this year.
He swapped his off-white and silver-panelled Luar suit with a cow-print Alexander Wang jacket, leather pants and fur-lined boots.
Lil Nas X pulled out the animal print for the Met Gala after-party, which he attended with singer Camila Cabello.Credit: AP/Getty Images
Sarah Paulson
Actor Sarah Paulson prioritised comfort this year, changing her pink Prada dress with bow accents for baggy jeans, a white top and black letterman jacket. Her short, slicked-back hairstyle was a staple of the evening, however.
Comfort was priority number one for Sarah Paulson during the Met Gala after-parties.Credit: Getty/GC Images
Cardi B
The rapper began the evening in a couture black Windowsen gown, a dress so big it practically covered the entire carpet.
She ended the night at the Casa Cipriani Met Gala after-party in a red body-sculpting dress with ruched waistline and lace-up corset.
Cardi B went big for the Met Gala carpet and sultry for the after-party.Credit: WireImage/Getty Images
Colman Domingo
From a custom Willy Chavarria double-breasted suit, paired with a billowing white cape and silky trousers, Oscar nominee Colman Domingo channelled A Clockwork Orange for his after-party look. This included a black and white polka-dotted shirt, long jacket and some funky facial art.
Both of Colman Domingo’s outfits were giving suit, but with major flare.Credit: AP/GC Images
Taraji P. Henson
It was yin and yang for actor Taraji P. Henson. She began the night in a custom beaded and silk chiffon dress, which reportedly took about 400 hours to create, before channelling Catwoman in a silky black corseted bodysuit and cropped jacket.
Taraji P. Henson swapped out her couture gown for a sleek bodysuit.Credit: AP/GC Images
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.