Kim Kardashian evoked American history on Monday night at the annual Met Gala, choosing the glistening gold gown Marilyn Monroe wore six decades ago when she serenaded President John F. Kennedy with "Happy birthday, Mr. President."

Kardashian, her blonde hair pulled back in a tight bun, walked gently down the red carpet in the close-fitting gown while boyfriend and comedian Pete Davidson held her hand. Davidson opted for a black suit and shades.

The star of "The Kardashians" revealed that she lost 16 pounds in three weeks to fit into the 1962 outfit Monroe wore.

"It was such a struggle," Kardashian admitted. "It was almost like playing a part. I was adamant about fitting this."

The Met Gala, famous for celebrities dressed extravagantly, resumed its expected date of the first Monday in May, just eight months after 2021's pandemic-affected event in September.

The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, has been termed the East Coast's Oscars. The A-list attendees were instructed to dress in "gilded glamour" this year.

Blake Lively, who co-chaired the Met Gala with her actor husband Ryan Reynolds, came in a shimmering bronze-colored Versace gown inspired by New York's Grand Central Terminal, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building.

Attendants removed a large bow and altered the gown's lengthy train to show a turquoise and copper effect. Lively described bronze structures as an allusion to the greenish patina that develops over time.

The singer of "Empire State of Mind," Alicia Keys, also paid tribute to New York by donning a Ralph Lauren gown adorned with 200,000 crystals designed to resemble the city's skyline.

Jared Leto, who acted in the film "House of Gucci" last year, attended the event alongside Gucci designer Alessandro Michele. The two men were dressed identically in tan suits and red bow ties, and Leto dubbed the look "dual Victorian gilded mayhem."

Lizzo wore a black gown with a gold-embroidered jacket and a gold flute, which she briefly performed on the red carpet. Billie Eilish came in a pale green Gucci gown that she said was eco-friendly due to recycled materials.

As is customary, numerous celebrities appeared to disregard the evening's subject. Gigi Hadid looked stunning in a red corseted jumpsuit paired with a huge fluffy coat, and Gwen Stefani made a statement in a full-skirted neon-yellow gown.

The exclusive invitation-only The Met Gala kicks off the museum's annual fashion display at the Costume Institute. "In America: An Anthology of Fashion," which concludes a two-part show, focuses on the history of American fashion.

A former presidential contender, Hillary Clinton, said she was coming for the first occasion in two decades to honor the American spirit. Her burgundy gown was embroidered with the names of 60 notable American women, including abolitionist Harriet Tubman and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Mayor Eric Adams of New York City wore a tuxedo jacket emblazoned with subway symbols and "End Gun Violence" on the back. He referred to the economic hardships endured by many people during the wealthy Gilded Age of the late 1800s and early 1900s.

"While we had some incredible inventions and architecture... it was also a dark period," he explained.

Gabrielle Union donned a silver Versace gown with a Diahann Carroll-inspired bodice. A red rose on the front reflected the bloodshed by people of color who aided in the construction of America, she explained.

An actress and artist, Janelle Monae, wore a black Ralph Lauren gown with a silver-and-black-striped hood that she described as "the future's gilded age."