A-listers attending the 2022 Met Gala were expected to channel the Gilded Age of New York – famed for its high-society of leading ladies, who attended decadent balls in ornate, elegant and sophisticated gowns, filled with lace, ruffles and jewels during the late 19th century.
Yet some appeared to be unaware of the dress code, and instead embraced ‘seductive and risqué’ outfits which would ensure they stood out from the crowd, according to celebrity stylists.
Cara Delevingne led the Hollywood stars who were daring to bare nearly all when attending this year’s annual fundraiser at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday.
Leaving very little to the imagination, the British model, 29, stripped off a Christian Dior red double-breasted jacket to unveil her bare chest and gold painted body while posing at the star-studded red-carpet event.
She protected her modesty with a pair of pasties and accessorized with a dainty gold body chain for some added dimension – but despite the shocking nature of her look, Cara oozed confidence and even stuck her tongue out at photographers.
Meanwhile, American models Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, actress Addison Rae and British actress Lily James donned equally revealing ensembles when attending Met Gala afterparties.
Fashion expert Alexis Knox told FEMAIL many celebrities felt inclined to showcase their assets more because of ‘feeling the freedom after lockdown’ and interpreting this with a ‘literal freeing of the skin’, while stylist Rochelle White said it was the perfect way for celebrities to stand out and ‘outdo one another’.
Meanwhile, American models Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber (pictured right), actress Addison Rae and British actress Lily James (pictured left) donned equally revealing ensembles when attending Met Gala afterparties
Attending alongside her glamorous mother Kate, Lila Moss made her debut at the Met Gala in a jaw-dropping sheer beige Burberry gown that was emblazoned with letters and numbers and encrusted in diamonds.
Underneath she wore a figure-hugging nude bodysuit to preserve her modesty that left her toned legs on full display. She completed the showstopper ensemble with glitzy chandelier earrings and elevated her height in a pair of nude heels.
Elsewhere, Lily James ditched her underwear when wearing a daring purple mini dress from Versace for an after-party. The ensemble featured safety-pin fastenings, mirroring Elizabeth Hurley’s iconic 1994 dress.
The British actress donned an equally racy outfit to the Met Gala, dazzling in a bejewelled Atelier Versace dress, featuring risqué cut-out details.
Vanessa Hudgens and Phoebe Dynevor opted for sheer black ensembles when attending the glittering occasion on Monday
Elegant: Kerry Washington (L) and Karlie Kloss (R) wore sheer black as well
Fashion! Vanessa stunned in a completely sheer black Moschino gown featuring an intricate lace design along the torso and train; the actress’ matching underwear was visible beneath the dramatic number
Sheer: Dakota Johnson stunned in a see-through black lace jumpsuit with silver fringe detailing. The radiant actress is wearing Gucci
Bella Hadid and Addison Rae also commanded attention in barely-there ensembles, with the former sporting a netted skirt with a cut-out jacket when attending an after party for the Met Gala, while the latter left little to the imagination in a mostly sheer black dress.
Meanwhile, Hailey Bieber, 25, had turned heads earlier in the night as she arrived at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a custom Yves Saint Laurent white gown with a feather trim coat.
Yet she moved away from the Gilded Glamour theme for an afterparty held at Zero Bond as she slipped into a pair of tiny leather hot pants and a barely-there bralette.
Commenting on the looks, stylist Alexis noted that not many Hollywood guests took note of the ‘gilded glamour’ theme.
She said: ‘In classic Met Gala trend we saw the return of the sheer ensemble – a perfect way to turn heads and steal headlines; edgy, sexy and a statement as always a little – or a lot – of skin can go a long way on the red carpet.
Newlyweds: Brooklyn Beckham with wife Nicola Peltz, who opted for a hot pink sheer number with a plunging neckline
Ratajkowski’s rainbow beaded top left little to imagination, while her ruffled, colourful skirt ensured all attention was on her
‘Celebrities are also feeling the freedom after lockdown and that freedom has definitely been interpreted into their chosen Met Gala outfits with a literal freeing of the skin!
‘So expect to see this “near naked” trend hit the high street in the shape of layered sheer tops for an edgy day to night look and for a sexy late night look in form fitted translucent dresses.
With summer 2022 being the official first summer of being allowed to head “out out” after the global pandemic the catwalks saw a splurge of outfits that added a lot of sexy late night style to our wardrobes – a trend which certainly translated through to this years Mets red carpet with sheer ensembles being the go to for an undeniably contemporary regal colour expression
The expert continued: ‘Adding a little or in most cases – a lot of skin with the sheer material choice – is a great way to turn heads.’
Meanwhile, stylist Rochelle added: ‘I feel that sheer dresses were popular this year as its risqué to wear. I feel that the celebrities who wore this style are pretty comfortable in that look and themselves.
‘They know what colours work well on their skin tone and what styles will be flattering for them. Cara rocking a painted body top, was, I feel, a way of her not only being daring but showing she is 100 per cent comfortable in herself. I feel that these looks are all about embracing who you are and being slightly unapologetic for it.
‘I feel that although the theme was gilded, celebrities wanted to add a little something more. Barely-there looks or sheer ensembles add a little seductiveness to formal wear.
‘There is still something in the air about wearing more daring outfits, embracing the body and being more sexy on red carpets. This has been a theme coming through fashion, since the start of year and slowing making it’s way across more and more red carpet events.’
‘Plus when it comes to the Met Gala, celebrities like to outdo each other. The riskier the outfit, the more photo opportunities you get, and they want that icon look that everyone will be talking about.’
‘As always, guests can interpret the brief however they feel, and this could mean taking inspiration from the gilded age. Corsets, feathers, wealth and glamour. This theme gives the guests the chance to pull out all the stops,’ concluded fashion stylist Ellis Ranson.
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