Stars dazzle in defiant fashion at 'surreal' Met Gala

New York is done with dressing down: the splashy black-tie Met Gala returned on Sept. 13, with a cohort of Gen-Z's glitterati hosting the A-lister bash famed for its over-the-top panache - and, despite the pandemic, this year the fashion was so fierce one guest wielded a sword.

The crowd of some 400 actors, athletes, poets and performers - all of whom were either vaccinated or had tested negative for COVID-19 - was largely maskless on the cream carpet, defying the global coronavirus pandemic that forced the cancellation of last year's event.

"It's so surreal," U.S. rapper Megan Thee Stallion, attending the Gala for the first time and dressed by designer Coach to evoke old Hollywood glamor, told AFP.

"I feel like, oh my gosh, Houston, Texas we made it! ... I'm excited to be here."

But she did admit that it was "kinda weird" to be around so many people, more than 18 months into the coronavirus pandemic.

"I've kinda gotten used to being a little introvert like - but I'm back on side so I'm excited to see everybody," she said.
Canadian musician Grimes, who was one of the few wearing a face mask, set Twitter alight by carrying a sword - perhaps to, as one user suggested, "make sure people stay 6 ft away."

U.S. lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez added to the revolutionary spirit with a white off-shoulder dress, on the back of which was written in scarlet capital letters: "Tax the rich" - an inflammatory statement at an event where tickets cost $35,000 apiece and tables were up to $300,000.

Singer Normani said her yellow Valentino gown "chose me."

"I feel like a princes... sorry I'm breathing heavy, my waist is snatched," she said. "I feel like... amazing. A Black queen."

Rapper Lil Nas X stripped down...