Every year since 1948, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute hosts one of the most highly-anticipated events in the world of fashion, the fabulous Met Gala. The exclusive guest list gathers Hollywood’s brightest stars with fashion’s most legendary figures to celebrate the latest Costume Institute exhibit and raise museum funds, as they dress to nines in theme-appropriate looks or in rulebook-defying ensembles.
Always the sartorial spectacle, the Met Ball is where memorable style moments are made as A-listers step out in statement couture, often with opulent headpieces or mile-long trains. Who could forget Cher’s 1974 shockingly sheer Bob Mackie feathered dress, or Rihanna’s vibrant yellow Guo Pei creation that covered the Met stairs in 2015?
Serving alongside the Gala’s longtime honorary hosts Anna Wintour, Tom Ford, and Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri, the 2023 Met Gala co-chairs include Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel, Penélope Cruz and Roger Federer. This year’s theme celebrates the life and work of the late iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld and the new exhibition, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.”
While this year’s soiree is sure to showcase a tour de force of fashion’s finest, we’re looking back on some of the most radical style moments to take the Met staircase. Ahead of fashion’s biggest night, GRAZIA USA highlights the Met Gala’s greatest hits.
1974: Cher in Bob Mackie
Celebrating “Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design,” at the 1974 Met Gala, Cher turned heads in a shockingly sheer, meticulously beaded gown, with luxurious feathered sleeves and train by Bob Mackie (who also accompanied the star). Cher would later wear to grace the cover of Time magazine.
1981: Bianca Jagger in Dior
Attending the 1981 fête alongside her close friend, designer Halston, Bianca Jagger sported a classic black strapless gown, embroidered with a floral motif along the bust. With the theme, “The Eighteenth-Century Woman,” Jagger’s timeless Dior gown would later go on to inspire model Kaia Gerber’s Oscar de la Renta gown in 2021.
1981: Iman in Calvin Klein
Celebrating “The Eighteenth-Century Woman” in 1981, supermodel Iman and designer Calvin Klein attended together, with Iman sporting an off-the-shoulder metallic printed gown, punctuated with luxe gold accessories.
1985: Cher in Bob Mackie
Attending the Met’s 1985 celebration, “Costumes of Royal India,” Cher walked alongside her right-hand man, designer Bob Mackie, who once again was responsible for her landmark, intricately embellished sheer confection for the evening.
1995: Kate Moss and Christy Turlington in Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein attended the 1995 Met Gala celebrating the “Haute Couture” exhibition arm-in-arm with supermodels Christy Turlington and Kate Moss, the latter’s buttery yellow Calvin Klein slip dress is celebrated as one of the most recognizable Met Ball dresses of the ’90s.
1995: Naomi Campbell in Versace
In a beautifully sculpted strapless Versace dress, supermodel Naomi Campbell shined bright in silver to celebrate 1995’s “Haute Couture” exhibit.
1996: Princess Diana in Dior
Honoring the inimitable Christian Dior at the 1996 Gala, Princess Diana appropriately chose a dress by the French maison, adhering to the theme for the only Met Ball she’d ever attend. Sporting a slinky navy slip with black lace trim, the dress was a creation from designer John Galliano’s first Haute Couture collection for the House of Dior.
1997: Hugh Grant with Elizabeth Hurley in Versace
Hand-in-hand with her then-partner actor Hugh Grant, Elizabeth Hurley sported a sexy lilac-colored Versace gown with ultra high slit and ruched detailing to the 1997 Met Gala, honoring the late Italian designer Gianni Versace. The actress topped off her look with a glamorous fur-trimmed white overcoat.
1997: Carolyn Murphy in Versace
Model Carolyn Murphy attended the 1997 Met Gala honoring designer Gianni Versace who tragically passed away earlier that year, appropriately draped in gold Versace chainmail.
1997: Salma Hayek in Atelier Versace
With a plunging side slit met with a sky-high thigh slit, Salma Hayek’s seductive black Atelier Versace gown was the perfect fit to celebrate Gianni Versace at the 1997 Met Gala.
1999: Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney in Stella McCartney
Attending in matching asymmetrical studded tees reading, “Rock Royalty,” actress Liv Tyler and designer Stella McCartney honored their rockstar fathers, Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler and The Beatles’ Paul McCartney (respectively) for the 1999 Met Gala “Rock Style” exhibit, in looks designed by McCartney herself.
1999: André Leon Talley in Gucci and Anna Wintour in John Galliano Couture
Legendary fashion editors André Leon Talley and Anna Wintour took to the Met Gala stars to celebrate 1999’s “Rock Style” exhibit. Talley arrived in an opulent black and gold embroidered leather Gucci court coat, designed by Tom Ford while Wintour sported a John Galliano couture creation.
1999: Gwyneth Paltrow in Gucci
Attending the 1999 Met Gala in Gucci designed by Tom Ford, Gwyneth Paltrow sported a cerulean snake skin column gown to see the “Rock Style” exhibit.
1999: Gisele Bündchen in Versace
At the 1999 “Rock Style“ exhibit, supermodel Gisele Bündchen shined in a masterfully beaded V-neck Versace gown.
2000: Naomi Campbell in Dolce & Gabbana with Iman
Celebrating the “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years” exhibit, supermodel Naomi Campbell arrived in a Dolce & Gabbana ensemble, comprising of a sheer, black lace skirt and T-shirt that read, “Like A Virgin,” paying homage to pop icon Madonna. She walked the carpet alongside another modeling legend, Iman, who wore a ruched bodycon black dress with a white fur shawl.
2004: Amber Valetta in Maggie Norris Couture corset and John Galliano skirt
Perfectly on theme, supermodel Amber Valetta celebrated the exhibit “Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century” in a couture Maggie Norris corset and John Galliano skirt in 2004.
2005: Karolína Kurková in Viktor & Rolf
Karolína Kurková‘s Viktor & Rolf “I Love You” asymmetrical ivory ballgown made a statement at the 2004 “The House of Chanel” exhibit.
2006: Sienna Miller in Burberry
Evoking the mod essence of her character Edie Sedgwick from the 2006 film Factory Girl, Sienna Miller celebrated the 2006 exhibition “AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion” in a gold sequined mini dress by Burberry.
2006: Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen
Dressed in matching tartan creations by the inimitable designer Alexander McQueen, he and Sarah Jessica Parker attended 2006’s “AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion” arm-in-arm.
2007: Mary-Kate Olsen in Lily Et Cie by Rita Warnick
Stepping out in a black feathered, leather-belted gown, Mary-Kate Olsen opted for Lily Et Cie by Rita Warnick for the “Poiret: King of Fashion” 2007 Met Gala.
2008: Gisele Bündchen in Versace
Draped in a slinky mauve Versace embellished gown, supermodel Gisele Bündchen arrived to the 2008 Met Gala red carpet to celebrate the exhibit, “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.”
2009: Kate Moss in Marc Jacobs
Drenched in a backless metallic lamé creation, Kate Moss attended the 2009 Met Gala celebrating “The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion” alongside designer and longtime friend Marc Jacobs.
2010: Doutzen Kroes in Zac Posen
A picturesque Cinderella moment, model Doutzen Kroes evoked Old Hollywood glamor while gracing the red carpet in a lavish, tulle ballgown by Zac Posen to celebrate the “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity” in 2010.
2011: Ashley Olsen in Dior
To attend the 2011 “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” Met Gala, Ashley Olsen was the picture of elegance in a structured black Dior gown, complete with a thigh-high side slit and ivory off-the-shoulder balloon sleeves.
2011: Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen
In an exhibit to honor the late, great designer Alexander McQueen, his friend, multi-disciplinary artist and style icon Daphne Guinness attended the “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” exhibit and corresponding red carpet in one of his statement-making feathered gowns.
2014: Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen in Vintage Chanel and Gianfranco Ferré
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen attended the 2014 “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” Met Gala in streamlined, vintage designer gowns. With Ashley opted for a gold button Chanel number, while Mary-Kate went for a collared, pinstripe Gianfranco Ferré gown.
2014: Beyoncé in Givenchy Haute Couture
In a regal display, Beyoncé attended the 2014 Met Gala celebrating “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” in a black, beaded haute couture gown designed by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy.
2015: Kim Kardashian in Roberto Cavalli
Drawing inspiration from Cher’s 1974 Met Gala Bob Mackie dress, Kim Kardashian adorned a similar confection designed by Peter Dundas for Roberto Cavalli to celebrate the “China: Through the Looking Glass” exhibit.
2015: FKA Twigs in Christopher Kane
Gracing the 2015 red carpet for “China: Through the Looking Glass,” FKA Twigs donned an avant-garde Christopher Kane dress featuring designs of arms and legs from the designer’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection.
2015: Beyoncé in Givenchy Haute Couture
Queen Bey ruled the red carpet in a super sheer Givenchy Haute Couture gown featuring meticulously placed candy-colored beading designed by then-creative director Riccardo Tisci for 2015’s exhibit “China: Through the Looking Glass.”
2015: Rihanna in Guo Pei
The belle of the ball, Rihanna graced the red carpet in a fantastical Guo Pei creation that took two years to make before performing for the attendees of “China: Through The Looking Glass” in 2015.
2015: Anne Hathaway in Ralph Lauren
Attending the 2015 Met Gala dressed in a metallic bronze custom Ralph Lauren hooded gown for the “China: Through The Looking Glass” exhibit, Anne Hathaway appeared as ethereal as ever.
2016: Lupita Nyong’o in Calvin Klein
Attending the 2016 Met Gala in an expectedly glamorous emerald sequined Calvin Klein gown, actress Lupita Nyong’o’s towering updo stole the show at the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Met Gala.
2016: Claire Danes in Zac Posen
Actress Claire Danes had a princess moment at the 2016 Met Gala wearing Zac Posen. Abiding by the theme “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology,” Danes’ baby blue sculpted ball gown mechanically lit up.
2016: Beyoncé in Givenchy Haute Couture
Beyoncé donned a second-skin Givenchy Haute Couture creation by then-creative director Riccardo Tisci for the 2016 “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology.”
2016: Nicole Kidman in Alexander McQueen
Nicole Kidman arrived to the 2016 Met Gala celebrating “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” wearing an ethereal, caped moon emblazoned gown from Alexander McQueen’s Fall/Winter 2016 collection.
2017: Rihanna in Comme des Garçons
Once again stealing the show, Rihanna attended the 2017 Met Gala perfectly on-theme in Comme des Garçons to celebrate the exhibition, “Rei Kawakubo/ Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between.”
2017: Zoë Kravitz in Oscar de la Renta
Zoë Kravitz was a vision in her Oscar de la Renta petal pink gown with black floral accents while attending the “Rei Kawakubo/ Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between” 2017 Met Ball.
2017: Zendaya in Dolce & Gabbana
Zendaya attended the “Rei Kawakubo/ Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between” 2017 Met Gala wearing an opulent Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda off-the-shoulder ballgown printed with parrots and florals.
2018: Blake Lively in Versace
Making a grandiose style-statement in Versace, Blake Lively was a regal vision at the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” 2018 Met Gala.
2018: Rihanna in Maison Margiela
2018 saw a new bishop in town. Celebrating the ecclesiastical exhibit “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” Rihanna came dressed to impress in Maison Margiela designed by John Galliano.
2018: Ariana Grande in Vera Wang
Making her Met Gala debut in 2018, Ariana Grande arrived in an opulent custom Vera Wang ballgown inspired by the Sistine Chapel for the exhibit “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.”
2018: Solange in Iris van Herpen
In a glossy black sculptural dress by the technologically-advanced designer Iris van Herpen, Solange topped it off with a halo headpiece at the 2018 “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” Met Gala.
2019: Kim Kardashian in Thierry Mugler
Displaying her dramatic hourglass figure with the help of a Mr. Pearl corset for 2019’s Camp: Notes on Fashion, Kim Kardashian appeared dripping in crystals in a Thierry Mugler creation inspired by actress Sophia Loren emerging from the water in the 1957 film Boy on a Dolphin.
2019: Billy Porter in The Blonds
Always one of the “go big or go home” ethos, Billy Porter arrived to the 2019 Met Gala being carried by a handful of footmen. Drawing inspiration from Liz Taylor’s gold-laden Cleopatra, Porter’s The Blonds outfit took flight on the carpet with its wing accents.
2019: Cardi B in Thom Browne
With an impressive train of heavy, quilted burgundy material, Cardi B was the ultimate showgirl at the 2019 Met Gala celebrating “Camp: Notes on Fashion.” Trimmed with feathers and completed with a crystal embellished cap, the rapper’s Thom Browne anatomical creation was the epitome of camp.
2019: Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell
In a theatrical display, Lady Gaga stripped down on the carpet to showcase four different outfit changes, all designed from Brandon Maxwell. Gaga’s hot pink sartorial switch-up was the perfect fit for 2019’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion.”
2021: Iman in Harris Reed
The legendary supermodel Iman arrived at the 2021 Met Gala in a larger-then-life creation by designer Harris Reed. Dressed in a golden jacquard bustier and matching trousers, both the model’s crinoline cage and halo headpiece were covered with gold leaf dipped feathers for the 2021 exhibit “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.”
2021: Kendall Jenner in Givenchy
Kendall Jenner brought the idea of the naked dress to the next level in a Givenchy gown designed by creative director Matthew Williams. Attending the “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” exhibit in 2021, Jenner’s ensemble drew inspiration from Audrey Hepburn’s 1964 My Fair Lady gown designed by Cecil Beaton.
2021: Kim Kardashian in Balenciaga
Arriving to the 2021 Met Gala, Kim Kardashian celebrated the “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” exhibition in a fully-cloaked Balenciaga creation, that spoke to how recognizable Kardashian really is.
2021: Billie Eilish in Oscar de la Renta
Channeling a modern day Marilyn Monroe to attend the 2021 Met Gala celebrating “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” singer Billie Eilish’s choice to wear Oscar de la Renta relied upon the brand’s decision to permanently oust genuine fur from its future collections.
2022: Kim Kardashian in vintage Jean Louis
Does, “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” ring a bell? Kim Kardashian slipped into Marilyn Monroe’s 1962 Swarovski-covered shimmering Jean Louis dress for the 2022 Met Gala, 60 years after the actress wore the gown to serenade President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden for his 45th birthday. Originally sketched by Bob Mackie, who was working under Louis at the time, the gown was purchased by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in 2016. The dress choice caused quite a bit of controversy, opening a debate as to whether it’s ethical to take historical garments out of preservation.
2022: Sarah Jessica Parker in Christopher John Rogers
In typical Sarah Jessica Parker style, the Sex and the City actress stole the show at the 2022 Met Gala and she came ready with references seeped in fashion history, and tapped the inimitable American designer, Christopher John Rogers, to help bring her vision to life. The star walked the carpet in a black, gray and ivory patchwork pleated ball ballgown with Swarovski crystal buttons, silk moiré bows, topped off with a custom Philip Treacy headpiece and Fred Leighton jewels. “I actually found a dress by a seamstress, an extraordinary woman who’s been a close friend and confidant of Mary Todd Lincoln, her name was Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley,” Parker told the Vogue livestream on the red carpet. An African-American dressmaker known for her striped gowns with 1860s bell silhouettes, Keckley’s booming dressmaking business in Washington D.C. made her a significant figure in fashion history.
2022: Gigi Hadid in Versace
Gigi Hadid teamed her Versace skintight jumpsuit featuring a corset-style bodice with a voluminous puffer robe-like coat, which she paired with a ruby red Chopard statement necklace at the 2022 Met Gala celebrating the “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” exhibition.
2022: Blake Lively in Versace
Acting Met Gala co-chair Blake Lively arrived to the red carpet, embodying the dress code, “Gilded Glamour” and paying homage to the theme of the exhibit, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.” Opting for a heavily embellished strapless custom Atelier Versace gown, the gold bow bustle around her waist unwrapped to reveal an oxidized green train, which was an homage to the Statue of Liberty which turns colors when it oxidizes.
