De Blasio Hobnobs At Met Gala

NEW YORK CITY — Step aside, Rihanna — there's a new fashionista in town and he's late to the party.

Mayor Bill de Blasio made an appearance at the Met Gala on Monday evening alongside his wife Chirlane McCray and son Dante de Blasio.

Hizzoner typically shunned the star-studded event during his eight years as mayor, dissing it as an "elite" gathering.

"It's not my cup of tea," he once told NY1.

But de Blasio's attitude toward fluffy events has changed in his final year as mayor, especially as New York City emerges from the coronavirus' shadow. He has chowed down on Shake Shack, rode the Cyclone, engaged in one-way conversations with compost bins, among other arguably cringe-worthy gimmicks.

The Met Gala is only the latest event de Blasio attended in his newfound — and maybe-not-so-fashionably late — embrace of fun. He told NY1's Errol Louis that he planned to attend the Met Gala to highlight the city's recovery.

"I want us to tell you, everyone, a part of the Met Gala is committed this year not only to New York City by holding it, which I appreciate deeply, but the message, the goals of this gala really celebrate diversity, inclusion, the things we need to focus on, the things that make this city great," he said.

This year's theme was "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion," a somewhat nebulous concept that drew a wide variety of looks from attendees such as Rihanna, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X.

De Blasio, for his part, donned a suit by Brooklyn designer Dreu Beckemberg, according to Politico. McCray wore a gown designed by Fe Noel and jewelry made by Pamela Love, who are also from Brooklyn, Politico reported.