Critical stripes were the keyword of the evening. Blinking to the theme - "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" (in Swedish, roughly "Refined: Tailored Black Style") - was seen in many cases in the patterns.
Emma Chamberlaine and Zuri Hall both wore figure-hugging long dresses, but sewn in the striped pattern more commonly associated with men's suits. Other women skipped the stripes but bet on a costume: the musician Lauryn Hill came in a creamy yellow version with dramatic train and matching umbrella, while the actress Zendaya bet on an elegant all-white story.
The artist Janelle Monáe embodied the theme in a kind of two-dimensional cape complete with exaggerated stripes, broad shoulders, and a briefcase.
Standing out also did the rapper André 3000 who came with a whole piano on his back, and a garbage bag in his hand.
This year's theme at the star-studded Met gala in New York was inspired by the spring's Metropolitan exhibition of the same name. It deals with the historical identity and style of the black diaspora in Europe and the USA and interpretations of "black dandyism".
