New York, New York - The fashion world’s favorite spring sartorial soirée got underway Monday as the glitterati struck a pose on the grand staircase of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the 2022 Met Gala.

"Gilded glamour, white-tie" was the dress code for the big event's return after being delayed for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Blake Lively, who arrived on the red carpet early, was in a New York State of Mind. The A Simple Plan star turned heads in a strapless, art deco-styled gown designed by Versace Atelier with big satin bow and matching gloves.

The inner panels of the gown were crystal metallic leather resembling the Empire State Building. In just minutes, the gown was transformed into another look, which channeled the Statue of Liberty, and was topped off with a matching tiara. Husband Ryan Reynolds wore a fitted chocolate velvet Ralph Lauren suit, finished off with a bow-tie.

New York Mayor Eric Adams’ long black tuxedo coat was adorned with Afrocentric motifs. The back center panel of the coat had the words “END GUN VIOLENCE.”

Celebrities were out in full force and high fashion. Kim Kardashian stunned on the carpet in the Jean Louis gown Marilyn Monroe wore in 1962 to sing John F. Kennedy happy birthday. Lizzo closed out the red carpet with an impromptu flute concert in a custom look from Thom Browne.

The annual event, which serves as a fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute, was canceled in 2020 and 2021, and a truncated version of the event took place last summer as pandemic protocols started to loosen up.

The smaller red carpet coincided with the first installment of the Met Gala’s two-part In America: A Lexicon of Fashion exhibition – celebrating American style.

Oscar winner Regina King and Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda joined Lively and Reynolds as the 2022 gala co-chairs.

Vogue magazine editor Anna Wintour, who has overseen the event since 1995, serves as honorary chair alongside fashion designer Tom Ford and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri.

Tickets to this year’s exclusive, invite-only event reportedly cost $35,000 and tables range from $200,000 to $300,000, with all guests approved by Wintour.