The 15 Most Iconic Met Gala Looks In History
Every First Monday in May, celebrities take on fashion's favorite red carpet at the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, showing off highly-anticipated looks before entering the exclusive invite-only, MET Gala. While the MET Gala remains one of the most exclusive events, those not invited have undoubtedly seen a glimpse via Kylie Jenner’s iconic bathroom selfie with a crew of A-list friends from 2017’s Gala and Bella Hadid’s unexpected Instagram live of Katy Perry’s performance.
This year will be drastically different, with the Gala postponed until the Fall, the MET steps will remain deserted of our beloved celebrities and their interperetations of this year’s theme: About Time: Fashion and Duration. Fashion’s biggest night out, as it’s most notably known, dates back to 1948 where it was established by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert as an effective way to raise money for the newly founded Costume Institute and mark the opening of its annual exhibit. The first Gala was an elaborate dinner and tickets were sold for fifty dollars each.
Although we won’t be following along as our favorite celebrities emerge on the museum’s red-carpeted steps, this is definitely the perfect time to look back on our favorite iconic appearances such as Lady Gaga’s show-stopping red carpet outfit changes last year, Naomi Campbell in sparkling Versace and Rihanna’s jawdropping Guo Pei gown in 2015.
Bianca Jagger, 1974
Bianca Jagger attends the MET gala with Mick Jagger in a stunning ruby red sheer gown. The theme of the night being: “Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design.”
Cher, 1974
Queen of the Naked Dress, Cher attends the “Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design” themed gala in an original Bob Mackie design.
Iman, 1981
Calvin Klein and muse, Iman attend the "The Eighteenth Century Woman" themed MET gala in 1981. Iman wears a glistening gold Calvin Klein gown and matching oversized hoop earrings.
Christy Turlington, 1992
Christy Turlington channels Audrey Hepburn in a simple fitted black gown with a stacked pearl choker to attend the 1992 gala themed: “Fashion and History: A Dialogue.”
Naomi Campbell, 1995
Never ceasing to amaze, supermodel Naomi Campbell wears a sparkling Versace dress to attend the 1995 Haute Couture MET gala.
Princess Diana, 1996
The Royal style icon wore a navy Dior slip dress paired with a sapphire necklace and earrings. The Gala appearance by the Princess of Wales would be her first and only before her passing.
Stephanie Seymour, 2001
Stephanie Seymour poses with husband Peter Brant at the “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years” themed gala. She appears on the carpet in a navy Azzedine Alaia dress paying tribute to the beloved former First Lady.
Diana Ross, 2003
The Queen of Motown attends the “Goddess: The Classical Mode” MET gala in an eye-catching Tom Ford era, red Gucci gown.
Kate Moss, 2009
At the 2009 “The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion.” themed gala, Supermodel Kate Moss appeared on the Zebra carpet in a shimmering champagne-colored Marc Jacobs gown and turban. Known as one of the Marc’s major muses, this dress was a rendition of many others that have walked the gala’s carpet on stars from Gisele Bundchen to Emily Ratajkowski.
Victoria Beckham, 2014
After being on multiple worst-dressed lists since her first gala attendance in 2003, The singer turned designer reinvented her look to show us an evolved version of her style. Victoria Beckham appeared with husband David Beckham on the red carpet of the “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” themed MET gala in one of her own designs.
Rihanna, 2015
Without a doubt, 2015 was a year for not only one of the most momumental exhibits to be unveiled at the MET gala, themed China: Through the Looking Glass, yet it was also a night producing one of the most memorable red carpet looks to date. Delivering the performance of the night, Rihanna arrived to the museum in a Guo Pei couture gown worthy of an event headliner. Most memorable for the dramatic train, the dress is now available to view in a museum exhibit of its own.
Beyoncé, 2016
Amicably known as 'Queen B', Beyoncé made her last red carpet appearance at a MET Gala in 2016 only moments after releasing her album Lemonade. For the “Manus X Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology." themed night the award-winning performer wore a custom blush-colored latex gown by Givenchy, embellished with intricate beadwork creating drip-like illusions on the skin-tight dress.
Lupita Nyongo, 2016
A rising star at the time and one of the newest faces of Calvin Klein, Lupita Nyongo attended the “Manus X Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” gala in a jade sequin dress with velvet straps by Calvin Klein.
Bella Hadid, 2017
Bella Hadid skipped the usual gowns to don a curve-hugging catsuit by close friend and designer Alexander Wang. The theme of the night being “Comme des Garçons's Rei Kawakubo.”, the model spent her final preparation moments before the event getting sewn into the ensemble, to ensure no details were missed from the sparkling beading to a deep back scoop.
Kim Kardashian, 2019
In 2019 Kim Kardashian appeared at the “Camp: Notes on Fashion“ themed MET gala in her most dramatic ensemble yet. Though Thierry Mugler, the designer behind Kim’s body shaping latex dress had not designed for the House of Mugler in over 20 years, he joined the Hollywood mogul to created a custom corset latex dress with beaded crystals that resembled her May 2019 Vogue cover.
