As for the historic red carpet fashion moments, there is no bigger event than the Met Gala. Since the first celebration of the Costume Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1948, the evening has been a place where celebrities, tastemakers and designers can play with their personal style. Over the years, all of the Met Gala outfits have been a hit throughout the fashion industry. Take Rihanna’s Guo Pei ensemble from 2015, Cher’s regal look from a 1985 event, or Zendaya’s Cinderella moment circa 2019 – they were all unforgettable.
Preparing these looks requires months of planning and close cooperation between stars, designers and stylists. Together they must build an outfit around a theme and make sure every detail is thought out before the photo shoot. This year’s theme is “Sleeping Beauties: Awakening Fashion” and the outfit is titled “The Garden of Time,” inspired by JG Ballard’s 1962 low story. That said, expect the stars to be covered in flowers, moss, and other garden-like details. From hairstyles to jewelry and even lingerie, no detail can be overlooked. The result of their tough work? An outfit that will last long after the night is over.
Before May 6 rolls around, take a look back at the most memorable Met Gala looks from years past.
Cher
In 1985, the theme of the Met Gala was “Costumes of Royal India,” and Cher attended the event in a dazzling uniform and low-cut skirt designed by Bob Mackie. She completed the look with elaborate ear decorations.
Christy Turlington
For the 1992 event, the legendary supermodel showed Audrey Hepburn her black and white outfit, which she accessorized with a statement pearl necklace.
Naomi Campbell
’90s bombshell Campbell attended the 1995 Met Gala in a sparkling Versace Haute Couture strapless gown. She paired it with matching flats and a black shoulder bag.
Princess Diana
It’s no surprise that Princess Diana’s only appearance at the Met Gala was unforgettable. For the 1996 “Christian Dior” theme, the royal prince wore a navy blue number from John Galliano’s haute couture collection.
Alice Keys
In a sea of ball gowns, Keys stood out at the 2003 affair in a sparkling white suit and matching pointy pumps.
Lucy Liu
The actor wore a striking purple gown by Zac Posen to the 2007 Met Gala, which was themed “Poiret: King of Fashion.” Accessorized with a gilded gold crown and sparkling jewels, Liu looked like a true princess.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Typically, the Met Gala is characterized by lavish floor-length gowns, but in 2012, Paltrow broke the unwritten rule by wearing this mini dress designed by Prada.
Rihanna
The singer wore a stunning yellow outfit to the 2015 Met Gala, which was themed “China: Through the Looking Glass.” She was wearing Guo Pei’s creation.
Beyonce
Beyoncé attended the 2015 Met Gala in this sheer Guess gown. The gown featured pink, green and yellow sequins and a low train.
Lupita Nyong’o
Nyong’o wore a sparkly, mint green dress from the Calvin Klein collection to the 2016 Met Gala “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology.” The actor’s impressive, sculpted hairstyle was equally unforgettable.
Emily Ratajkowski
Ratajkowski wore a blue and green sequined gown by Marc Jacobs to the 2017 Met Gala. Her floor-length gown for Art of In-Between was inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
Cara Delevingne
Delevingne stunned in metallic Chanel pants at the 2017 Met Gala. Last touch? Freshly shaved head painted silver.
Cardi B
Cardi B attended the 2018 Met Gala with Moschino designer Jeremy Scott. This beaded gown weighed 30 pounds and was accessorized with a matching headpiece.
Jennifer Lopez
In 2019, Lopez dazzled in a custom crystal-encrusted Versace ensemble for the Met Gala’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion.” She accessorized her hand-beaded gown with a matching headpiece.
Kim Kardashian
For the 2019 Met Gala, Kardashian wore a beaded latex gown designed by Thierry Mugler. The dress had glass water drops and an additional cinched corset at the waist.
Lady Gaga
At the 2019 Met Gala, Lady Gaga gave it her all in “Camp: Notes on Fashion” in a transformative Brandon Maxwell gown. As she ascended the stairs, the dress evolved from a lavish pink gown with a 7-foot train to a sparkly bra, high-waisted underwear, and tights.
Zendaya
At 2019’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” Zendaya lived out her Disney princess dreams in this blue Tommy Hilfiger gown.
Gigi Hadid
At the 2021 Met Gala, titled “In America: The Fashion Lexicon,” Hadid hit the red carpet, revealing her recent red hair for the first time. The model’s regal Prada strapless gown was as noteworthy as her hair.
Olivia Rodrigo
For her 2021 Met Gala debut, Rodrigo went bold in this sheer black lace jumpsuit designed by Saint Laurent.
Zoë Kravitz
In 2021, Kravitz wore a Saint Laurent mesh dress that left little to the imagination. She wore shiny underwear underneath her clothes.
Iman
The supermodel’s outfit was reminiscent of the sun’s outfit during her 2021 Met Gala appearance. Her unforgettable look comes from Harris Reed.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker’s 2022 Christopher John Rogers outfit paid tribute to Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, the first Black designer in the White House. In particular, it was inspired by the body-hugging top and ballroom skirt look Keckley produced in the 1860s.
Janelle Monáe
Monáe put on quite a show during last year’s extravaganza. Posing on a coveted staircase in an oversized Thom Browne coat, the two men took off their jackets to reveal an oversized see-through dress (with black underwear embellished with pearls on full display underneath).
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