INTERNATIONAL: The biggest night in fashion was back on in New York on Monday night as the stars came out for the annual Met Gala. It was the event’s first outing since 2019, with last year’s event cancelled because of the pandemic. The theme was “American Independence”.

You know it’s a special night in fashion when Vogue Editor, Anna Wintour arrives early – and without her trademark sunglasses, but she was there to see, as well as to be seen. Red, silver and blue ruled the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the youth-driven Met Gala, celebrating the very best of American fashion. There were show-stopping outfits from rapper Lil Nas, sporting a Versace suit of gold armor. Supermodel Iman stunned in a feathered gold and beige headdress and cage skirt.

This year’s fundraiser was chaired by four of the biggest Gen Z stars on the planet: actor Timothee Chalamet; singer Billie Eilish; poet Amanda Gorman and tennis champion Naomi Osaka.

The invitation-only Met Gala is a fundraising benefit for New York's Museum of Modern Art. While most guests opted for the outrageous, others went for a message, including 31-year-old Democratic congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who had "Tax the Rich" written in red across the back of her white gown.

With last year’s Met Gala having been cancelled because of the pandemic, Monday's event was about a third smaller than usual with some 300 guests. They might be the biggest names in the world, but they still had to show proof of vaccination to get in.

^{PHOTO: U.S. DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ ON THE RED CARPET FOR THE MET GALA}