Blake Lively (in Versace) and Ryan Reynolds

Let's just open by noting that Blake is surprisingly adept at the Met Gala -- much as she is at Cannes, actually, leading me to believe that she does her best work when she knows she's got a staircase to work. There was A LOT going on with this dress, literally. The column dress itself is beautiful -- and I think an Empire State reference -- and the tiara has seven spikes, the way the Statue of Liberty does. This is not the only Statue of Liberty reference in this look!

Blake Lively (in Versace) and Ryan Reynolds

We've got a whole bustle situation. (I truly expected more bustles at this event.)

Blake Lively in Versace

And it's very dramatic on the stairs indeed. AND THEN...

Blake Lively in Versace

A bunch of folks came up and undid her bustle and we had....A TRANSFORMATION.

Blake Lively in Versace

As I said. TRANSFORMATION! And truly is not the Gilded Age one of transformation? (It is. I learned that from Julian Fellowes.)

Blake Lively in Versace

Voila! This is lovely; now her skirt is, yes, the ceiling of Grand Central Terminal. As I ALSO learned while recapping The Gilded Age, Grand Central was built during the Gilded Age, and certainly nothing is more New York-y, so this is VERY on theme. For what it's worth, I love it as a ceiling AND a skirt. But that's not all! Blake also said that she did the color change to represent the Statue of Liberty's oxidizing -- I told you Lady Liberty would be back! So...there was a lot going on here, obviously. But I think it's really lovely on her and I also love how she truly committed to the theme and thoughtfully did her homework with Donatella. It's very respectful to her position as host.

Cardi B in Versace

Meanwhile, Cardi B and Donatella arrived in a convertible because I think that was the only way Cardi could be inside a car in this dress; she really could not move in it. Having said that, she is literally AND metaphorically on theme and she also looks adorable. I cannot imagine how much this dress weighs.

Cardi B in Versace

The shape of this feels very Gilded-Age-adjacent to me; it's very good on her. The Versace Instagram says, "Atelier Versace embroidered a mile of golden metal chains above an illusion tulle column dress in a hand-craft process that took 20 members of the Atelier 1300 hours to complete. Medusa medallions and the Versace Greca embellished in crystal decorate the chains, visually recalling coins in an abundance of glamour. The intricate embroidery features also on the arms and neckline, with a hand-sculpted collar that plays into the traditional image of a Victorian coat ruff. " I LOVE when brands or stylists explain the thought process behind their custom looks!

Donatella Versace and Cardi B

Meanwhile, Donatella looks like Donatella.

Gigi Hadid in Versace

THIS, however, does not look like Versace to me. I actually think she looks really cool -- if not particularly thematic -- but I also think the folks at Moncler are like, "EXCUSE ME?" right now.

Gigi Hadid in Versace

Unsurprisingly, Gigi is working this. I also think that Versace's thought process behind this is really interesting.

Gigi Hadid in Versace

It actually also sort of reminds me of Cardi's red Thom Browne from 2019.

Lily James in Versace

Irritatingly, I could not get a photo of Lily James where she was not faffing about thusly. I felt like someone's mother -- well, I guess like Lily James's mother -- because I kept grousing, "just stand NORMALLY."

Lily James in Versace

JUST STAND NORMALLY SO WE CAN SEE YOUR DRESS LILY.

Lily James in Versace

Okay, fine! Very sexy shipwreck, we get it, have a great night!

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade in Versace

They're such a good-looking couple, and I love that Dwyane is carrying a walking stick. When interviewed, Gabrielle said, "when you think about the Gilded Age and Black and brown people in this country, this country is built off of our backs, our blood, sweat and tears. So we added these red crystals to represent the blood spilled during the accumulation of gross wealth by a few during the Gilded Age, off of the backs of Black people and people of color in this country."

Gabrielle Union in Versace

She also noted that she and Donatella were inspired by Diahann Carroll, and here's the look she's referring to; click through to the third pic -- it's so gorgeous and glam, and this dress really does do it justice.

Gabrielle Union in Versace

And another angle.

Olivia Rodrigo in Versace

This is fine! I don't know if it's going to live in our hearts and minds forever, but nor will it live in infamy! Sometimes that's all you need.

Olivia Rodrigo in Versace

And the slight disco vibe is fun on her.

Lena Waithe in Versace

This is cool; I CAN see Bertha Russell wearing that cape. Lena herself said it was both "restrained and over the top" and I don't know if it's THAT restrained, or even at all, but I like it.

Emily Ratajkowski in Versace

This is obviously HIGHLY OTT and very dramatic, and it's also vintage from 1992, and I do love that aspect. I feel like I remember the top of this being worn with jeans. (By models, obviously. Not by like random people on the street.)

Emily Ratajkowski in Versace

I just liked this shot; if you want to see it in motion the first time around, Harper's Bazaar has a pic.

Cole Sprouse in Versace

I feel like Cole looks like a magician here? You can't win 'em all.

Blake Lively Continued Her Tradition of Bringing It to the Met Gala, and Other Folks in Versace

Like Gabrielle! Cardi B! Gigi! EmRata! Olivia Rodrigo!