Kim Kardashian attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the In America: A Lexicon of Fashion exhibition on September 13, 2021 in New York. AP
Kim Kardashian attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the In America: A Lexicon of Fashion exhibition on September 13, 2021 in New York. AP
Kim Kardashian attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the In America: A Lexicon of Fashion exhibition on September 13, 2021 in New York. AP
Kim Kardashian attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the In America: A Lexicon of Fashion exhibition on September 13, 2021 in New York. AP

Met Gala memes: the best reactions to Kim Kardashian, Billie Eilish and all the stars


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

After 18 months off, fashion’s biggest event finally returned on Monday and, as always, the Met Gala brought with it plenty of fashion division.

Twitter went into overdrive as the likes of Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the event, which was moved from its usual spot on the second Monday in May to the second Monday in September because of the pandemic.

This year’s theme, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, was interpreted in many different ways by the gala’s guests, and some of the looks left bystanders scratching their heads.

Unsurprisingly, Kardashian’s look proved the biggest talking point, as the star chose a skin-tight black mini dress by Balenciaga, which featured attached tights that covered her entire body, including her hands, feet and face.

The outfit raised more than a few eyebrows.

“Ok. So Kim K decided to go to the #MetGala2021 as the dementor from Harry Potter,” wrote one social media user.

Others felt the look was inspired by Kardashian's estranged husband Kanye West, who is known for his out-there fashion choices.

Many of Billie Eilish's fans were thrilled to see the singer attend her first Met Gala, especially as she channelled her inner Marilyn Monroe for the occasion.

"Billie Eilish looks like a princess", wrote one Twitter user.

Another said: "We can all agree that Billie Eilish saved the Met Gala this year."

Politician and activist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also made her Met Gala debut, and she used it to send a clear message. Across the back of her ivory satin gown by Brother Vellies, the words "tax the rich" were splashed in red paint.

While some appreciated the sentiment, others thought the statement was ironic.

"Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attending the $35,000-a-ticket #MetGala in a Brother Vellies gown blaring "Tax the Rich" is a complicated proposition," wrote fashion editor Vanessa Friedman.

Another Twitter user wrote: "If AOC cared about taxing the rich she would have protested the Met Gala, instead she joined the party."

However, others were supportive.

People were also confused by Frank Ocean's return to the Met Gala red carpet, for which he brought along a mannequin of a green baby.

And finally, Lil Nas X's extreme gold cape caught the attention of meme makers, who likened it to a blanket they would likely find at their grandmother's house.

Things then went into overdrive when he removed the cape to reveal a full gold robotic suit.

Key products and UAE prices

iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229

iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649

iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179

Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

MATCH STATS

Wolves 0

Aston Villa 1 (El Ghazi 90 4' pen)

Red cards: Joao Moutinho (Wolves); Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)

Man of the match: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)

Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari

ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
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South Africa squad

: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.

%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20has%20been%20moored%20off%20the%20Yemeni%20coast%20of%20Ras%20Issa%20since%201988.%3Cbr%3EThe%20Houthis%20have%20been%20blockading%20UN%20efforts%20to%20inspect%20and%20maintain%20the%20vessel%20since%202015%2C%20when%20the%20war%20between%20the%20group%20and%20the%20Yemen%20government%2C%20backed%20by%20the%20Saudi-led%20coalition%20began.%3Cbr%3ESince%20then%2C%20a%20handful%20of%20people%20acting%20as%20a%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ae%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D%26ved%3D2ahUKEwiw2OfUuKr4AhVBuKQKHTTzB7cQFnoECB4QAQ%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.thenationalnews.com%252Fworld%252Fmena%252Fyemen-s-floating-bomb-tanker-millions-kept-safe-by-skeleton-crew-1.1104713%26usg%3DAOvVaw0t9FPiRsx7zK7aEYgc65Ad%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Eskeleton%20crew%3C%2Fa%3E%2C%20have%20performed%20rudimentary%20maintenance%20work%20to%20keep%20the%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20intact.%3Cbr%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20is%20connected%20to%20a%20pipeline%20from%20the%20oil-rich%20city%20of%20Marib%2C%20and%20was%20once%20a%20hub%20for%20the%20storage%20and%20export%20of%20crude%20oil.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20and%20humanitarian%20impact%20may%20extend%20well%20beyond%20Yemen%2C%20experts%20believe%2C%20into%20the%20surrounding%20waters%20of%20Saudi%20Arabia%2C%20Djibouti%20and%20Eritrea%2C%20impacting%20marine-life%20and%20vital%20infrastructure%20like%20desalination%20plans%20and%20fishing%20ports.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
If you go...

Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).

Most F1 world titles

7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)

7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)

5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)

4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)

4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

UAE squad

Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

Updated: September 14, 2021, 11:52 AM`