NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams of New York was one of the first guests to arrive at this year’s
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute benefit, accompanied by his girlfriend, Tracey Collins, whom he introduced as his “other half.”
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The self-proclaimed “Swagger Mayor” wore a jacket by Nigerian designer Laolu Senbanjo to match the theme of “gilded glamour.” The custom-designed tuxedo jacket, embroidered on the lapels and down the length of the back with motifs of
New York City, included an image of the Chrysler Building and the arches of the Brooklyn Bridge. The words “End Gun Violence,” mingled with African-style masks, represented the many Black lives that have been cut short by gun violence, said the mayor, a former New York City police officer.
New York Mayor Eric Adams and Tracey Collins at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York, May 2, 2022.
“We need to keep that at the forefront as we enjoy the financial ecosystem,” he added.
Collins wore a Grecian-style white Oscar de la Renta gown, adorned with black sequin leaves at the shoulders. Entering the museum, the couple walked past a Statue of Liberty-inspired torch that reached all the way to the ceiling, surrounded by walls of red roses shaped into a star.
Was Adams excited to be at his first
Met Gala? “Well, I think the real question is how do they feel that I’m here? Because I’ve got the swagger,” he said, laughing out a belly.
The mayor walked to the rose-covered steps to greet the hosts of the gala: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and Anna Wintour, whom he kissed on each cheek like a fashion veteran at a runway show.
Billie Eilish at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York, May 2, 2022.
After giving the other hosts firm handshakes, he made his way to the cocktails, voice booming cheerfully through the Mary and Michael Jaharis Gallery, which holds the museum’s collection of Byzantine art. Past a bust of Constantine and to the right, Adams carried himself proudly, his shoulders back and neck long in the American Wing.
It was time to work the room.
Waltzing past several servers holding out glasses of white wine and cocktails, Adams began to chortle when he saw Jon Batiste, the recent
Grammy Award winner for album of the year, who greeted him with a bear hug. Australian director Baz Luhrmann, whose shock of white hair stood out amid the black suits, walked over to the boisterous duo for a handshake.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York, May 2, 2022.
When Michael Bloomberg, the three-term former mayor of New York, walked into the American Wing, Adams introduced him to Collins. Bloomberg spun around searching for his date, but relinquished the effort almost immediately, then patted Adams on the back. “We’ll take pictures later,” he promised, before walking away.
Seeing an opening, actor Ansel Elgort, in a Moschino suit with white
Manolo Blahnik shoes, approached Adams, complimented his jacket, and shook his hand.
“I love his outfit, and I love the ‘End Gun Violence,’ ” Elgort said. “He looks great, and it’s a great message.”
Sarah Jessica Parker at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York, May 2, 2022.
Standing directly in front of Elgort, with her back to him was Sarah Jessica Parker in a black and white
Christopher John Rogers gown. Adams made his way around the wing to greet and take a picture with the much taller model Jourdan Dunn, who bent her knee a bit to fit in the frame.
Adams was aware that this setting was posher than many of his constituents would be accustomed to.
“You have many New Yorkers who are saying, you know, why do we need our affluent New Yorkers, many of whom are here? Because 2% of New Yorkers pay 51% of our income taxes,” he said. “We need to make sure low-wage employees are paid good wages. We need to embrace those who are in this room today and say we want to be part of the New York experience.”
Lizzo at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York, May 2, 2022.
Across the room, rapper Jack Harlow waited for a drink at the bar wearing a chocolate satin Givenchy suit until Normani, Lori Harvey, and Teyana Taylor joined him. Janelle Monáe slunk her way around the party in a Ralph Lauren dress that included a cowl. When asked how this year’s party compared with previous ones, she said, “What’s different this year is me: I am more present.”
At the end of the bar, rapper Anderson .Paak, in a bowl-cut wig and round John Lennon glasses, hung out with actor Ashton Sanders, who wore a blue and gold Casablanca look that resembled the uniform of a soldier in the Continental Army and spooky contact lenses that made his irises appear cloudy and white.
Adams, a vigorous advocate of the benefits of plant-based eating, stopped by one of the servers and picked up a single plantain chip dressed with coconut ceviche. “Vegan,” the server said. The mayor sipped on water at the bar, declining a slice of cucumber.
As Adams chatted with Domenico de Sole, the CEO of
Gucci, and Inka Drögemüller, a deputy director at the Met, Hillary Clinton and Huma Abedin entered the wing.
Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York, May 2, 2022.
Adams made a beeline to dinner, and Bloomberg spoke to Clinton — who was attending the Met Gala for the first time since 2001 — for a moment before he decided to cut the line and enter the dining room through a shortcut, near the caterers. As the city elders walked to their expensive tables, guests including Naomi Campbell, SZA, Kerry Washington, Nicki Minaj, and Cardi B continued to trickle in. The last guest up the Met stairs was
Kim Kardashian, who arrived in the dress Marilyn Monroe wore to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. Kardashian, newly bottle blonde for the occasion, posed for pictures and beckoned her “babe,” Pete Davidson, into the shot.
“I have to do a costume change before this dress disintegrates,” she said.
The night was just getting started.
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