This year's Met Gala was no exception; we've come to expect the unexpected, and this year was no exception. However, the most shocking trend of the night was a nod to the highly anticipated "gilded glamour" dress code that was met with edgy, modern, and ostentatious interpretations (think Ben Platt in a corset, Cardi B literally covered in gold, and Kim Kardashian doing her best Marilyn Monroe impression). Ensembles made entirely of black. Indeed, it appears that gilded glamour has been replaced by goth.

While both the exhibit and the dress code were intended as homages to the late nineteenth century, the aesthetics of this era immediately conjure up images of gold-painted opulence, bright layers of color, and gaudy saturated embroideries. However, rather than dressing like extras from HBO's new show, aptly titled The Gilded Age, many celebrities chose to defy expectations by adorning the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in monochromatic dark gowns. Is it a reflection of the dark times we're currently experiencing, or something else entirely? Is it a reaction to the Serotonin-inducing colors that have been prevalent this spring and summer? Is it possible that these celebrities have simply run out of things to wear? Who knows what will happen.

Despite the fact that many looks deviated from the theme (as is customary), the Met Gala in 2022 was full of grandiose style moments befitting of fashion's most important night. We've broken down the most memorable red carpet moments, from the white-tie goth renaissance to the gender-bending glamour, in the sections below.

Goth meets glitz and glam
Just because something is black does not imply that it is uninteresting or unoriginal. These monochrome and gloomy ensembles can be interpreted as a rejection of the vibrant opulence that characterized Gilded Age fashion during the time period. The bright color represents strength, elegance, and sophistication, and many visitors brought their own interpretations of these concepts to the Met's steps.

Normani, Phoebe Dyvenor, Irina Shayk, Maude Apatow, Kendall Jenner, and Joan Smalls were among the celebrities who showed up to trap the cat the black-tie event dressed in all-black attire, including Normani herself. Incorporating bondage imagery into their outfits were celebrities such as Lenny Kravitz and Bella Hadid, who chose corsetry details made of leather and lace for their looks. Many other celebrities, such as Vanessa Hudgens and Karlie Kloss, channeled their inner stylistic sorceress in dark gowns with sheer lace-embroidered detailing and ethereal makeup looks.

In recent years, there has been a growing acceptance of goth culture in mainstream society, and with so many all-black Met Gala looks, the notion of challenging social norms is a surefire trend for 2022.