The best dressed stars on the red carpet – The Hollywood Reporter 

On May 2, the stars eschewed the outrageous costumes of previous Met Galas and instead ran the gamut from quiet elegance to all-out drama on the steps of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The night's "Gilded Glamor and White Tie" dress code was interpreted in myriad ways by attendees ranging from co-host Blake Lively to Cardi B, Maude Apatow, the Gilded Age's Louisa Jacobson, or the woman who caused the biggest frenzy of fashion and social networks of the gala in what was the final moment of the red carpet of the night, Kim Kardashian, wearing that Marilyn Monroe dress and accompanied by Pete Davidson.

With this fundraiser for the museum's Costume Institute positioned around its latest exhibit, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” many guests opted for looks that honored an American theme; others paid homage to New York City, while still others channeled the notion of “golden glamour” in a literal sense. 

Perhaps most importantly, very few attendees showed up in the over-the-top costumes that have become headlines at previous events, instead choosing looks that exuded drama while never straying from a fashion ideal.

Here's a selection of high-octane women who stood out on Monday night's red, white and blue carpet.

Kim Kardashian in Vintage Jean Louis

It was the final arrival of the night and the one that grabbed most of the headlines: Kim Kardashian wore the vintage Jean Louis dress designed for Marilyn Monroe, which the icon wore to Madison Square Garden in 1962 to sing "Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to John F. Kennedy. Working with Julien's Auctions and Ripley's Believe It or Not, the dress's current owners,

 Kardashian wore the original sheer illusion gown, adorned with more than 6,000 crystals, only to walk up the museum stairs with Pete Davidson, transforming into a replica. dressed by the time she was inside the gates. 

On Instagram, Kardashian noted that she was "honored" to wear the historic design, thanking Ripley and adding, "I am eternally grateful for this moment."

Michelle Yeoh in Prabal Gurung

The Everything Everywhere at Once star was a hit on the red carpet in a mint green recycled silk faille dress from Atelier Prabal Gurung, paired with a Richard Mille watch and jewelery including the stunning Forest Valley necklace, also designed by Gurung for Tasaki, Handcrafted from Akoya and South Sea Pearls, Diamonds, Aquamarines, Sapphires and Tourmalines set in Platinum.

 “For us, she is everything we have ever looked up to and she always inspires us,” Gurung said of Yeoh on the red carpet.

Blake Lively and Atelier Versace 

The Met Gala co-host was already drawing raves for her Atelier Versace dress before revealing the backstory on the red carpet

 At the base of the steps, an oversized bow in coppery satin was unfurled to reveal a verdigris train, embroidered and beaded to resemble the celestial map and zodiac constellations depicted on the ceiling of New York's Grand Central Terminal. York; her Art Deco rhinestones, meanwhile, were meant to evoke thoughts of the Empire State Building.

As for the look's color change from bronze to verdigris, when paired with Lively's Lorraine Schwartz crown and earrings, the result was a tribute to Lady Liberty, she said. "It's my tribute to the icons of New York," Lively explained on the red carpet.

Janelle Monae and Ralph Lauren 

The actress called her custom Ralph Lauren halter dress "golden glamor for the future." The design began with a hood and bib fully embellished with crystal stripes and black sequins and descended to an embroidered and beaded ruched mermaid skirt with over 36,000 jet black rhinestones

. Monáe completed the look with the Domino Dots ring, crafted with black and white diamonds set in 18k white gold, by Delfina Delettrez.

Cardi B and Atelier Versace 

Twitter lit up like a house on fire as Cardi B arrived in her gold metal Atelier Versace dress. Few looks reflected "golden glamour" quite like Cardi B's dress, which was also among the most intricate designs of the night. 

Golden metal chains, emblazoned with Versace's signature Medusa and Greca symbols and totalling approximately one mile in length, were embroidered on the sheer tulle gown, requiring 1,300 hours to complete.

 Fingerless gloves were made in the same way, while a hand-sculpted chain necklace is meant to evoke images of a Victorian ruff. On Instagram, the rapper-songwriter considered herself a "Versace trophy."

Tessa Thompson and Carolina Herrera

The corset detail on Thompson's sparkling pink gown, a custom look by Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera, honored the evening's Gilded Age theme, but the abundance of hand-pleated tulle on the tiered skirt was pure fantasy. 

Thompson matched the high-low dress with pearls and gold jewelry from Lady Gray and Delfina Delettrez.

Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton's strategy for its Met Gala guests was based on sustainability, with the house's 14 guests wearing archive or previously worn looks. 

Stone opted for the gown she wore to her 2020 wedding after-party, crafted in white silk and richly embellished with feathers around the hem. Silver Louis Vuitton shoes and pieces from the Louis Vuitton fine jewelry collection completed the look.