Rainbow Gems at the 2021 Met Gala
Stars truly sparkled at fashion’s favorite fête
After a hiatus in 2020, the Met Gala, one of biggest, boldest, and most brilliant red carpet events, made a triumphant return last week to cap off the post-Covid comeback of another much-anticipated event: New York Fashion Week.
Each year, attendees are tasked with a creative theme to interpret, aligned with the subsequent annual Costume Institute exhibition on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Celebrating a venerable anniversary—the Costume Institute turns 75 this year— 2021’s theme was “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.”
Celebrity interpretations spanned decades of American style, from modern takes on Old Hollywood glamour to Western-inspired attire to sartorial commentary on the country’s cultural multiplicity. There were looks to inspire, emulate, even puzzle over. But the real showstopper? The jewelry, of course.
In keeping with the anthology theme, vintage and antique pieces from storied houses like Cartier and Harry Winston reemerged to grace the red carpet once again, but the true trend seems to be a happy accident of optimism. Star after star sparkled in a veritable rainbow of colorful gemstones set in diamonds, perhaps a collective testament to America’s past and future possibilities of welcoming diversity and difference—to beautiful effect.
Below, some of our favorite pieces from nearly every color of the rainbow—plus where to find a similarly stunning piece for yourself.
Red Alert
Think Pink
Hello, Yellow
Go Green
True (Red, White, and) Blue
*This item is sold out.
Editor: Samantha Durbin
Wordsmith: Rebecca Daly
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