Fine and dandy A-list out to party, not protest, at the see-and-be-seen fashion event

The party of the year had the potential to be a political firecracker.

- Jess Cartner-Morley

The party of the year had the potential to be a political firecracker. New York's ultimate see-and-be-seen event, the Met Gala, was also the launch of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, a fashion exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art honouring the subversive power of black style and the role of dandyism in expanding ideals of masculinity. In other words, the A-list were showing up to raise a toast to diversity under the watchful eye of an administration bent on reversing it.

On the night, the resistance came to party, not to protest. Glamour was the guest of honour, with politics very much the plus-one. The tempered tone of the night was typified by Kamala Harris, the most high-profile political guest, slipping in through a side entrance to avoid the photographers.

Diana Ross wore a feathered ivory gown with the names of all her children and grandchildren embroidered on to an 18ft (5.5m) train. Andre 3000 wore a grand piano on his back. Rihanna announced her third pregnancy in pinstripe bump and matching bustle. Hailey Bieber accessorised her Saint Laurent tuxedo with a martini, and no trousers.