Reality TV star Kim Kardashian recreated fashion history at the annual Met Gala 2022 on Monday, donning one of Marilyn Monroe's most iconic dresses -- a gold-beaded body hugger the actress wore when she sang "Happy birthday, Mr. President" to US President John F. Kennedy 60 years ago. 

Blake Lively attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. Photo: Evan Agostini/ Invision/ AP

Kardashian reportedly had to lose 16 pounds to fit into the dress, designed by Jean Louis and purchased in 2016 by the Ripley's Believe or Not! museum in Orlando, Florida, for a whopping $4.81 million, reports AP.

Some of the biggest names from fashion, entertainment, sports and beyond were among the about 400 guests at the Met Gala this year.

Kim Kardashian attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. Photo: Evan Agostini/ Invision/ AP

In this combination photo, former New York State Assembly candidate Bobby Digi Olisa, left, proposes to Laurie Cumbo, Commissioner of New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. Photo: Evan Agostini/ Invision/ AP

The annual gala is a fundraiser for the self-funding Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Hillary Clinton attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. Photo: Evan Agostini/ Invision/ AP

This year's Met Gala, themed "gilded glamour", earned a record $17.4 million, museum officials said Tuesday.

The funds raised at the Met Gala pays for operation of the institute and to put on annual blockbuster exhibits like the current "In America: An Anthology of Fashion", part of a broader two-part exhibit exploring the roots of American fashion, which was launched at the gala on Monday night and will open to the public on May 7. 

Kacey Musgraves attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. Photo: Evan Agostini/ Invision/ AP

Maye Musk, left, and Elon Musk attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. Photo: Evan Agostini/ Invision/ AP

The gala is traditionally held on the first Monday in May, but because of the pandemic, the 2021 version was held last September. The two galas together brought in $33.7 million, the institute said.

Fredrik Robertsson in an otherworldly outfit by Iris van Herpen. He was at first mistaken for Jared Leto. Photo: Andrew Kelly/ Reuters

Celebs on Monday showed up in elaborate outfits with intricate designs and exaggerated silhouettes, exploring the origins of American fashion and celebrating the unsung heroes of US design, reports AFP.

Cynthia Erivo in Louis Vuitton. Photo: Andrew Kelly/ Reuters

The Met Gala has grown to become a much-awaited and loved celebration of fashion, which is organised and presided over by Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1995.

Gigi Hadid told Vogue her Versace outfit was inspired by “how in the 1800s the shapes for womenswear became a lot more exaggerated and pushed boundaries”. Photo: Angela Weiss/ AFP

Kylie Jenner wearing a bridal look by Off White, designed by the late Virgil Abloh. Photo: Angela Weiss/ AFP