Some of the biggest names in the entertainment and fashion industries will be out in force on Monday (2 May), as New York plays host to the 2016 Met Gala.
The swanky bash - formally known as the Costume Institute Gala, and also called the Met Ball - is held every year as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.
It also marks the opening of the museum’s annual fashion exhibition.
Notoriously fearsome Vogue editor, Anna Wintour, is in charge of the guest list (made up of about 650–700 people), having been chair of the event since 1995.
Those who attend the bash are given a strict dress code, which changes every year to fit in with the theme of that year’s particular exhibition.
2016’s event sees Taylor Swift come on board as an honorary event day chair, while the theme of the gala is ‘Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology’.
Speaking of the theme, Andrew Bolton, the curator of the Costume Institute, told Vogue: “Traditionally, the distinction between the haute couture and prêt-à-porter was based on the handmade and the machine-made. But recently this distinction has become increasingly blurred as both disciplines have embraced the practices and techniques of the other.”
Previous themes have included 2015’s ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’ and 2013’s ‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’.
The red carpet has seen many iconic outfits over the years, including Kim Kardashian’s floral extravaganza complete with matching gloves in 2013, and Rihanna’s infamous ‘omelette’ dress last year, which inspired many internet memes.
Those confirmed to be walking the red carpet on Monday include Idris Elba, Taylor Swift, Karl Lagerfeld, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Gigi Hadid and Hailey Baldwin, with many, many more expected.
Ahead of this year’s event, take a look at the most memorable red carpet looks ever in the gallery below...
