Renowned for its extravagant fashion and celebrity-filled red carpet, the Met Gala is a highlight of the fashion calendar.
Each year, the gala revolves around a specific theme, inspiring attendees to push the boundaries of style and creativity.
Here’s a look back at 17 iconic Met Gala outfits that flawlessly captured the essence of the theme for that year.
Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty (2023)
Lily Collins
When it comes to theme dressing, it doesn’t get more straightforward than this. Lily Collins wore a Vera Wang gown that had ‘KARL’ embroidered on the train.
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Kim Kardashian
Kardashian’s gown, created by Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli, included 50,000 freshwater pearls from head to toe.
“I wanted pearls, I thought what is more Karl [than] the iconic Chanel pearls?” Kardashian told Vogue red carpet hosts Chloe Fineman and Derek Blasberg. “I wanted to be dripping in pearls.”
Jared Leto
Jared Leto’s tribute to the late Chanel creative director came in a less traditional form. The actor dressed up in a furry cat suit as an ode to Lagerfeld’s famous white cat Choupette.
Dua Lipa
The pop star graced the steps of the Met in a 1992 tweed Chanel ballgown, originally worn by Claudia Schiffer.
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In America: An Anthology of Fashion (2022)
Blake Lively
Lively’s colour-changing look by Atelier Versace was inspired by the architecture of New York City, and was perfectly suited to the dress code of ‘Gilded Glamour’.
Kim Kardashian
Kardashian evoked American history at the Met Gala by donning the sparkling gold gown that Marilyn Monroe wore six decades ago when she serenaded President John F. Kennedy with “Happy birthday, Mr. President”.
Camp: Notes on Fashion (2019)
Billy Porter
Billy Porter’s entrance in a custom golden Egyptian-inspired ensemble by The Blonds was nothing short of show-stopping. With elaborate wings and a bejewelled catsuit, Porter showed us how camp is done.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry captured the camp theme with a whimsical and extravagant look – a chandelier-inspired ensemble by Moschino. She later changed into a sequined burger outfit for the after party.
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Kim Kardashian
Kardashian’s figure-hugging (understatement) Thierry Mugler dress decorated with shimmering crystals and dripping with water droplet details captivated onlookers with its avant-garde design, aligning with the camp theme’s celebration of excess and extravagance.
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Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (2018)
Rihanna
Rihanna made a dramatic entrance in a breathtaking Maison Margiela ensemble, featuring a papal-inspired mitre and an ornate beaded gown, undeniably embodying the religious theme of the exhibition.
Zendaya
Versace drew inspiration from Joan of Arc, a symbol of faith and martyrdom in Catholic history, for Zendaya’s custom look featuring armour detailing.
Blake Lively
Blake Lively wowed in a regal Versace gown adorned with intricate embroidery and a dramatic train, reminiscent of stained glass windows found in cathedrals.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry embraced the theme with a larger-than-life ensemble by Versace, comprising golden angel wings and a metallic mini-dress of sequins and crystals.
Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology (2016)
Claire Danes
Danes addressed the theme of technology and innovation in fashion with a Zac Posen gown constructed with fibre optic lights that shimmered and glowed in the dark.
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Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s latex gown by Givenchy featured intricate floral appliqués and dramatic sleeves. Its fusion of futuristic materials and an elegant silhouette made a bold statement.
China: Through the Looking Glass (2015)
Rihanna
Rihanna dazzled in a show-stopping yellow Guo Pei gown with floral embroidery and featuring a voluminous train which weighed 25kg.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé turned heads in a sheer Givenchy gown paying homage to Chinese culture and craftsmanship.
