30 Iconic Met Gala Looks That Redefined Fashion’s Biggest Red Carpet

If you stepped back in time to the 1940s, you’d barely recognize the Met Gala. What started in 1948 as a small benefit for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has transformed into one of the world’s most important red carpet events, becoming a highly photographed event in the 1990s. And while the lavish event still raises money for the Costume Institute and marks the opening of its annual exhibition, the Met Gala has taken on a life of its own, allowing celebrities and designers alike to flex their sartorial muscles to the max.

There are some established guidelines, though, which come in the form of a theme set for the night. Based on each year’s exhibition, past themes have ranged from “In honor of Karl”—referring to the late German designer, Karl Lagerfeld—and “Gilded Glamour” to “Manus x Machina” and punk. That yearly mash-up has made for some truly remarkable moments: Clare Danes wore a princess gown that lit up in the dark for 2016’s “Manus x Machina” celebration; Lady Gaga changed into three different looks during a red carpet performance to honor the 2019 Met Gala’s camp theme; and Blake Lively surprised onlookers as her 2022 Versace gown changed colors to reference the patina effect on the Statue of Liberty.

With over 400 attendees each year, it’s hard to keep track of the outfits that truly dazzled on the Met Museum steps. But we did the work. Ahead, 30 of the Met Gala looks from 1995 to now.

Tyla’s Sand Dress by Balmain in 2024

One of the most creative interpretations of the “Garden of Time” theme came from Tyla, who showed up to the 2024 Met Gala wearing a dress inspired by an hourglass. The clever take was made by Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing and styled by Katie Qian. Later in the evening, Tyla’s team turned the impossible-to-sit-in dress into a mini frock by simply cutting it off with scissors in the middle of the gala. Talk about a viral moment!

Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Denim Gown by Gap in 2024

Wrapped in layers of denim, actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph showed there’s a place for utilitarianism at the Met Gala. Designed by Gap’s creative director (and Met Gala veteran!) Zac Posen, the gown featured bell sleeves and swaths of denim trailing behind the actress as she walked up the Met Museum stairs.

Zendaya’s Rose Bouquet Headpiece and Vintage Gown by John Galliano in 2024

It’s mind-blowing that this jaw-dropping look is only Zendaya’s second outfit of the night. She first stepped onto the Met Gala red carpet wearing a blue-and-green mermaid skirt gown by Maison Margiela. The Challengers actress later wowed onlookers by walking the red carpet again, this time honoring the “Garden of Time” theme with a rose bouquet headpiece.

Doja Cat’s Choupette Cosplay by Oscar de la Renta in 2023

Doja Cat paid homage to both her stage name and Karl Lagerfeld’s pet, Choupette, by transforming into a feline for the night—cat ears included! The glamorous, yet campy gown was designed by Oscar de la Renta co-creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia and included over 350,000 silver and white beads.

Bad Bunny’s Camellia Stole by Jacquemus in 2023

A sensual take on the otherwise traditional men’s tuxedo, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny referenced the camellia flower, one of Chanel’s most distinctive house symbols, with a 26-foot-long cape. The back cut-out served as a backdrop for a dangling “J” initial pendant, nodding to designer Simon Porte Jacquemus.

Anne Hathaway’s Safety Pin Dress by Versace in 2023

It’s a hard task to marry two designers’ visual identities into one garment. But Donatella Versace proved it could be done when she dressed Anne Hathaway in a hybrid of Versace and Chanel for 2023’s celebration of designer Karl Lagerfeld. Inspired by the ‘90s, the strapless cut-out gown was held together with oversized pins—a Versace signature—and was made from tweed—a trademark material for Chanel.

Alexandria Ocasio Cortez’s “Tax the Rich” Gown by Brother Vellies in 2022

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a statement at her first Met Gala appearance in 2021. The politician’s “Tax the Rich” gown—designed by Brother Vellies’ founder Aurora James—drew loads of criticism and praise. Fan or not, the gown was certainly a fit for the night’s American theme, showing that fashion can serve as a powerful tool to make political statements.

Blake Lively’s Statue of Liberty Gown by Versace in 2022

Blake Lively flexed her historian muscle with this Versace gown, which she paired with a tiara and opera gloves. When the actress appeared on the red carpet, her copper gown paid homage to New York City’s architecture and the Gilded Age with a geometrical corset and bustle skirt. But once at the stairs, Lively unfurled the bustle to reveal a blue train, a nod to the patina effect the Statue of Liberty underwent over the past century.

Kim Kardashian’s Marylin Monroe Dress in 2022

Perhaps one of the most controversial Met Gala looks in history, Kim Kardashian channeled Marilyn Monroe in a Jean-Louis crystal-encrusted gown worn by the late actress in 1962. While she borrowed the decades-old dress from Ripley’s Orlando location, she only wore it to walk the Met steps, and later, changed into a replica for the night’s festivities.

Billie Eilish’s Marylin Monroe-Inspired Gown by Oscar de la Renta in 2021

The Met Gala is often a night when celebrities try on new fashion personas. This was the case of Billie Eilish’s 2021 Oscar de la Renta gown, which saw the often logo-clad, androgynous dresser into a full-on old Hollywood starlet. The beige princess gown, which Eilish paired with a Marilyn Monroe-like blonde bob, featured a 15-foot train and off-the-shoulder neckline.

Lady Gaga’s Costume Changes by Brandon Maxwell in 2019

When it comes to red carpet performances, few celebrities can pull off a complete stunner like Lady Gaga. Designed by Brandon Maxwell, the singer and actress wore four looks: First, she stepped on the Met Museum’s steps in a hot pink ball gown with a bow headpiece; a second look revealed a strapless black dress with a ball gown skirt; for the third dress, Gaga wore a bright pink body-con number with an oversized telephone prop; and finally, a sequined black lingerie set with sheer tights and sky-high platform boots.

Zendaya’s Joan of Arc Look by Versace 2018

Inspired by the night’s Catholic theme, Zendaya’s 2018 tribute to Saint Joan of Arc walked the line between costume and fashion. The armor-like gown, designed by Versace, featured chainmail and a spiked belt cascading into a sleek silver train that made the actress look ready for battle.

Cardi B’s Opulent Gown by Moschino in 2018

For her Met Gala debut, rapper Cardi B made a show-stopping entrance in a Moschino gold and cream pearl-encrusted gown, complete with a halo headpiece and matching opera gloves. The sultry bodycon dress weighed 30 pounds and was made grander by a voluminous bustle skirt that opened into a train.

Solange Knowles’s Geometric Black Dress and Durag by Iris van Herpen in 2018

What celebrities wear to the Met Gala is often top-secret stuff. But, in 2018, Solange Knowles took to X (formerly Twitter) to ask her followers what she should wear to the affair. The final result was a black bulbous Iris van Herpen dress, paired with a durag and halo crown that transformed Solange into a saint.

Tracee Ellis Ross’ Avant-Garde Look by Comme des Garcons in 2017

In celebration of Rei Kawakubo, actress Tracee Ellis Ross opted to wear a regal blue dress by the Japanese designer. The actress, who paired the number with chain sandals and a black clutch, was one of the few attendees who wore Kawakubo’s work that night.

Claire Danes’ Glow in the Dark Gown by Zac Posen in 2016

Designer Zac Posen flexed his technological muscles for this glow-in-the-dark gown. The blue princess dress, worn by actress Claire Danes, was made from organza and fiber optics. The latter caused the gown to light up in a shimmery halo, a nod to the night’s theme, “Manus x Machina.”

Rihanna’s Opulent Yellow Coat by Guo Pei in 2015

One of the most famous and memorable outfits in Met Gala history, Rihanna made a triumphant walk up the Met Museum stairs in 2015, wearing a couture dress by Chinese designer Guo Pei. A nod to the exhibition “China: Through the Looking Glass,” the gold cape gown took over 20 hours to make and weighed over 50 pounds.

Beyoncé’s Birdcage Headpiece and Gown by Givenchy in 2014

Beyoncé’s appearances at the Met Gala have been few but mighty. This Givenchy couture gown—designed by the house’s former creative director Riccardo Tisci— is arguably one of her best. The sheer gown, which was right in line with the night’s celebration of designer Charles James, was topped off with a birdcage headpiece and chandelier earrings.

Miley Cyrus’s Sheer Mesh Dress by Marc Jacobs in 2013

Miley Cyrus celebrated punk—the Met Gala’s theme for 2013—in a nod to the ‘90s “naked dress.” The Marc Jacobs nude form-fitting slip was topped with a fishnet long-sleeve black dress. To top off the look, the actress and singer opted for stud earrings by designer Eddie Borgo.

Sienna Miller’s Studded Leather Jacket by Burberry in 2013

In the rebellious spirit of the night, Sienna Miller wore a studded leather jacket with a white gown by Burberry. Adding to the night’s theme, the actress accessorized the look with a studded hair comb that crowned her the evening’s punk princess.

Carey Mulligan’s Sequined Ombré Dress by Prada in 2012

Carey Mulligan’s shiny Prada lit up the red carpet when she walked up the Met Museum steps in 2012 to celebrate the opening of “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.” Given the night’s theme, it wasn’t surprising that the actress sported a look by the brand. The halter backless mini dress was covered in gold mirror discs on top that eroded in an ombré effect toward the bottom.

Daphne Guinness’ Feathered Gown by Alexander McQueen 2011

An emotional tribute to the late Alexander McQueen, socialite Daphne Guinness wore a feathered architectural gown by the designer, who died by suicide a few years before, during a night celebrating his work. Before walking the carpet, Guinness teased the whimsical look for fans by stepping into a shopping window at the now-closed Barneys.

Alexa Chung’s Tuxedo Look by Phillip Lim in 2010

Gowns are usually the Met Gala’s protagonist. But Alexa Chung changed that in 2010 when she wore a Phillip Lim black tuxedo. Given the night’s theme was “American Women: Fashioning An Identity,” it wasn’t surprising that Chung—known for her androgynous take on fashion— would upend sartorial gender roles at the Met Gala.

Madonna’s Bubble Hem Mini Dress by Louis Vuitton in 2009

Madonna’s Met Gala look in 2009 raised some eyebrows. But more than 10 years later, it’s quite the statement. The singer wore a Louis Vuitton navy corseted mini dress with thigh-high patent leather boots. It was all made more eccentric via a pair of long bunny ears, first shown in the brand’s Fall/Winter 2009 collection.

Amber Valletta’s Superhero Cape by Versace in 2008

For a night dedicated to superheroes, model Amber Valletta chose to dress the part in a rose gold Versace gown. The glamorous bodycon dress took an avant-garde twist with a balloon-like capelet protruding from Valletta’s back, making the model look ready for take-off.

Lucy Liu’s Ruffle Train Dress by Zac Posen in 2007

Actress Lucy Liu tapped American designer Zac Posen for a look celebrating the late French designer Paul Poiret. The duo went with a purple bodycon gown that featured a gargantuan train made of oversized roses, which Liu paired with a gold tiara.

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Plaid and Tulle Dress by Alexander McQueen in 2006

Sarah Jessica Parker’s take on British fashion was right on theme with the 2006 Costume Institute exhibition, “Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion.” The actress wore a deconstructed Scottish tartan with a tulle skirt by the late designer Alexander McQueen, who walked the red carpet alongside Parker.

Karolina Kurkova’s “I Love You” Gown by Viktor & Rolf in 2005

Nowadays, it’s commonplace to see Met Gala attendees let you know what they’re thinking via their clothes (think: Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez’s “Tax the rich!” gown from 2021). But back in 2005, model Karolina Kurkova was considered a pioneer in this arena. Kurkova opted for a Viktor & Rolf white one-shoulder gown with a peeking tulle skirt and a red “I love you” slogan.

Princess Diana’s Navy Slip Dress by Dior in 1996

Princess Diana only made one Met Gala appearance, which came in 1996. But it was a memorable one. In one of her most controversial looks, the princess wore a navy blue slip dress by John Galliano for Dior, paired with a matching Lady Dior bag, which was named after the late royal.

Naomi Campbell’s Ultra Sparkly Gown by Versace in 1995

There was no way to be subtle when Naomi Campbell wore this ultra-sparkly gown by Versace in 1995. The model and mogul stepped out with little accessories (save for a pair of matching pumps), letting the shimmering dress do all the talking for the night.

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