The Met Gala is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year for fashion enthusiasts and celebrities alike. Held annually on the first Monday in May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Met Gala is a fundraising benefit for the museum’s Costume Institute, and also serves as the opening party for its annual fashion exhibit.
Each year, the Met Gala has a different theme, and the guests are expected to dress accordingly. Some of the most iconic and memorable Met Gala looks have come from celebrities who have fully embraced the theme, taking risks and pushing the boundaries of fashion.
One of the most talked-about Met Gala looks of all time is Rihanna’s 2015 dress, which was designed by Chinese couturier Guo Pei. The stunning, canary yellow gown featured intricate embroidery and a massive train that required a team of handlers to help Rihanna navigate the red carpet.
Rihanna wears Guo Pei at the Met Gala in 2015. Photo: Getty Images
Another unforgettable moment was when Sarah Jessica Parker arrived at the 2013 Met Gala wearing a headpiece by Philip Treacy that resembled a flame. The bold accessory perfectly complemented her punk-inspired Giles Deacon dress and thigh-high velvet boots.
Sarah Jessica Parker and her Philip Treacy headpiece at the 2013 Met Gala. Photo: Getty Images
In 2018, the Met Gala’s theme was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” and several celebrities took the opportunity to pay homage to religious iconography with their outfits. One standout was Zendaya, who channeled Joan of Arc in a custom Versace gown complete with chainmail and a short red bob. Meanwhile, Rihanna made waves once again with her stunning, papal-inspired ensemble by Maison Margiela.
Zendaya in custom Versace at the Met Gala in 2018. Photo: Getty Images
Whether they’re making a political statement, paying tribute to a fashion icon, or simply showing off their own unique style, the Met Gala is always a night to remember.
Scroll down to see a full gallery of the most iconic Met Gala outfits that have ever graced those Met steps.
Rihanna’s canary yellow, fur-trimmed gown by Chinese couturier Guo Pei featured intricate embroidery and a massive train that required a team of handlers to help her navigate the red carpet. It was a show-stopping look that inspired countless memes and cemented Rihanna’s status as a fashion icon.
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Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon (2013)
Sarah Jessica Parker’s punk-inspired look for the “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” theme of the 2013 Met Gala was daring and unexpected. She wore a mohawk headpiece by Philip Treacy that resembled a flame, a Giles Deacon gown, and thigh-high velvet boots.
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Beyoncé in Givenchy (2015)
Beyoncé’s sheer, jewel-encrusted Givenchy gown for the “China: Through the Looking Glass” theme of the 2015 Met Gala was daring and sensual. It highlighted her curves and inspired a wave of copycat looks.
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Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell (2019)
Lady Gaga’s 2019 Met Gala outfit was a four-part extravaganza that featured several different looks, including a hot pink gown, a black strapless gown, a sparkly bodysuit, and a huge wagon wheel hat. It was a quintessential Gaga moment that showed off her love of fashion and theatrics.
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Zendaya in Versace (2018)
Zendaya’s Joan of Arc-inspired look for the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” theme of the 2018 Met Gala was a perfect blend of fashion and history. Her custom Versace gown featured chainmail and a short red bob, and she accessorised with a silver choker and matching cuffs.
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Kim Kardashian in Balmain (2016)
Kim Kardashian’s silver Balmain gown for the “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” theme of the 2016 Met Gala was sleek, futuristic, and perfectly suited to her curves. It also marked her triumphant return to the Met Gala after being criticised for her 2013 outfit.
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Blake Lively in Versace (2018)
Blake Lively’s 2018 Met Gala gown was a stunning ode to Old Hollywood glamour. Her custom Versace gown featured a plunging neckline, a flowing train, and intricate beading.
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Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier (2016)
Madonna’s revealing, lacy Givenchy gown for the “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” theme of the 2016 Met Gala was provocative and controversial. It featured a sheer skirt and exposed her breasts.
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Katy Perry in Moschino (2015)
Katy Perry’s “California Gurl” look for the “China: Through the Looking Glass” theme of the 2015 Met Gala was a playful and whimsical take on Chinese fashion. Her Moschino gown featured a graffiti-inspired print and a fan-shaped train.
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Brother Vellies(2021)
The white Brother Vellies gown worn by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the 2021 Met Gala featured the words “tax the rich” in bold red letters across the back. The statement-making dress was meant to start a conversation about wealth inequality and the role of the wealthy in society.
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Zendaya in Tommy Hilfiger (2019)
Zendaya’s Tommy Hilfiger gown for the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme of the 2019 Met Gala was inspired by Disney’s Cinderella. The powder blue dress featured a voluminous skirt, sheer puffed sleeves, and even a glowing “glass” slipper. It was a modern take on a classic fairy tale that captured the imagination of many.
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Kim Kardashian in Bob Mackie
Kim Kardashian’s 2022 Met Gala outfit was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. Wearing the exact same gown as Monroe, when she uttered the famous lines “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to JFK, Kardashian certainly made a statement. The gown was designed by Bob Mackie and made by Jean Louis in 1962.
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Clare Danes in Zac Posen (2016)
Claire Danes’ Zac Posen dress for the “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” theme of the 2016 Met Gala was a true technological marvel. The gown was made from fibre optic fabric that glowed in the dark, giving the illusion that Danes was wearing a dress made entirely of starlight.
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Lupita Nyong'o in Prada (2016)
Lupita Nyong’o’s green Prada gown for the “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” theme of the 2016 Met Gala was a stunning example of how to mix modern technology with classic elegance. The dress featured a built-in LED display that changed colours as she moved.
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Solange in Giles (2012)
Solange Knowles’ Rachel Roy gown for the “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” theme of the 2012 Met Gala was a standout look. The canary yellow color was eye-catching, and the intricate pleating and draping of the fabric was a work of art. The look was completed with gold jewellery and a bold red lip, making Solange look like a modern-day goddess.
