- Tunisia votes with Saied set for re-election
- Bagnaia sets 'example' with Japan MotoGP win to cut gap on Martin
- Intense Israeli bombing rocks Beirut ahead of war anniversary
- Mozambique vote: no suspense but some disillusion
- Austrian rapper channels anti-racist rage in Romani hip-hop songs
- Ohtani magic powers Dodgers over Padres in MLB playoff thriller
- Five of the best: Pakistan-England Test thrillers
- Man sets arm on fire as marches across US mark Gaza war anniversary
- Vietnam's young coffee entrepreneurs brew up a revolution
- Trump rallies at site of failed assassination: 'Never quit'
- Too hot by day, Dubai's floodlit beaches are packed at night
- Is music finally reckoning with #MeToo?
- Fans hail Trump's 'guts' as he returns to site of rally shooting
- Lebanon state media says Israeli strikes hit south Beirut
- Miami on track for MLS record points after win in Toronto
- Monaco take top spot in Ligue 1 with win at Rennes
- Madrid beat Villarreal to level Liga leaders Barca
- Thuram treble fires Inter past Torino and up to second
- 'Fight': defiant Trump jets in to site of rally shooting
- Mexico City's new mayor sworn in with pledges on water, housing
- Israel on alert ahead of Hamas attack anniversary
- Guardians maul Tigers in MLB playoff series opener
- Macron criticises Israel on Gaza, Lebanon operations
- French rugby player whistled but 'serene' on return amid ongoing rape case
- Retegui hat-trick fires five-star Atalanta to hammering of Genoa
- Heavyweights Australia, England off to World Cup winning starts
- Visiting UN refugee agency chief decries 'terrible crisis' in Lebanon
- Spinners come to party as England defeat Bangladesh at T20 World Cup
- Search continues for missing in deadly Bosnia floods
- Man City sink Fulham to get title bid back on track
- France's Auradou whistled on Pau return in Perpignan loss amid ongoing rape case
- A 'forgotten' valley in storm-hit North Carolina, desperate for help
- Arsenal hit back in style after Southampton scare
- Hezbollah heir apparent Safieddine out of contact after strikes
- Liverpool stay top of Premier League as Arsenal, Man City win
- In dank Tour of Emilia, Pogacar shines in rainbow jersey
- DR Congo launches mpox vaccination drive, hoping to curb outbreak
- Trump returns to site of failed assassination
- Careless Leverkusen held to Bundesliga draw
- O'Brien's 'superstar' Kyprios posts landmark win on Arc weekend
- Liverpool suffer Alisson injury blow
- Habosi helps Racing beat Vannes before Auradou's playing return
- Thousands march in London in support of Palestinians, 1 year after Oct 7
- Israel readying response to Iran missile attack
- Schutt, Mooney help Australia beat Sri Lanka in Women's T20 World Cup
- Liverpool extend Premier League lead with win at Palace
- Djokovic 'shakes rust off' to make third round of Shanghai Masters
- 'Imperfect' PSG fighting on all fronts - Luis Enrique
- Struggling Pakistan look to thwart adaptable England
- Child 'trampled to death' in asylum seekers' Channel crossing: minister
Hummingbirds and hooves take over the red carpet at Met Gala
From Bad Bunny's Tudor-inspired hat and shoes resembling cloven hooves to the hummingbird perched delicately on Zendaya's neck, the hosts set the tone at fashion's biggest night -- the annual Met Gala in New York.
Florals, animals and vintage couture abounded at the so-called Oscars of the East Coast, a mammoth fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.
The extravaganza's dress code this year is "The Garden of Time" -- which draws inspiration from the 1962 short story of the same name written by English writer J.G. Ballard.
In essence, it is about the ephemeral nature of beauty -- a theme aptly demonstrated by South African singer Tyla.
Her strapless Balmain gown evoking the sands of time -- right down to the hourglass purse -- was sculpted so tightly to her body that security guards had to carry her up the steps at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Celebrity interpretation of Met Gala themes have been wide-ranging and often sparked social media debate -- but attendees this year appeared to shrug off the pressure.
"I don't even think there's pressure at all, I think it's more of an opportunity," actor Colman Domingo told journalists.
For sheer drama, co-hosts Bad Bunny, Zendaya and Jennifer Lopez commanded the red carpet.
Lopez's gown had a stiff, winged bodice before dramatically fishtailing out below the waist, with champagne sequins preserving her modesty.
Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny evoked a kind of Tudor matador with a sweeping hat and a black bouquet, with the only pop of color his bright red inseam and the patent shine of his cloven shoes.
Zendaya's look had been among the most highly anticipated: The 27-year-old has become a red carpet icon during her most recent movie press tours, with cyborg fits for "Dune: Part Two" and courtside chic for the tennis-themed "Challengers."
For her first Met Gala since 2019 the star was wreathed in jewel-toned tulle and netting designed by John Galliano, with vines crawling up her body and arms and what appeared to be a hummingbird nestled into her neck.
- 'Mysterious and unexpected' -
The theme parallels the exhibit "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," which focuses on the most fragile pieces of the Costume Institute's vast collection.
The show, which will be on view to the public from May 10 through September 2, features clothing so delicate it cannot be displayed on mannequins.
The Costume Institute relies on the blockbuster Met Gala to fund its work, including exhibitions and acquisitions.
The gala was first held in 1948 and for decades was reserved for New York high society. Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, the high priestess of fashion, took over the show in the 1990s, transforming the party into a catwalk for the rich and famous.
This year, a ticket costs a cool $75,000, with tables starting at $350,000. The 2023 gala -- which celebrated the late Karl Lagerfeld -- raised nearly $22 million, a record sum.
But what exactly goes on inside is an enduring mystery.
"Something mysterious, I'm sure, and unexpected," actor Jeff Goldblum told journalists on the red carpet.
Guests are likely to peruse the exhibit, and stars such as Rihanna -- whose command of the red carpet is usually unparalleled -- have performed in the past.
- Social media frenzy -
The spectacle is social media catnip for celebrity watchers -- and once again, both the gala and the exhibit are co-sponsored by TikTok.
The tech world joined luminaries of music, film, politics and sports on the carpet, with TikTok CEO Shou Chew, also an honorary co-chair, in attendance.
The 41-year-old's appearance comes as the future of TikTok in the United States teeters on thin ice, just after President Joe Biden signed a bill demanding that ByteDance -- the Chinese company behind the wildly popular video-sharing app -- sell it off or go dark stateside.
There was further turmoil without also: Several hundred protesters against the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza demonstrated nearby, with security tight and several arrests made as stars walked the red carpet.
P.Cavaco--PC