30 Best Met Gala Looks of All Time
In honor of the 2024 Met Gala in just a few short weeks, see which of your favorite celebrities showed out over the years for Fashion's Night Out.
Every year the world's gaze turns to New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art as celebrities and fashion icons grace the red carpet for the annual Met Gala. Known as Fashion's Night Out, the illustrious event serves as a platform for stars and designers to unveil the most lavish creations, all in homage to the evening's thematic opulence.
On the first Monday in May, the 2024 Met Gala will take place on May 6. Coinciding with the annual exhibition at the museum's Costume Institute, the theme is Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion. In honor of this year's annual Met Gala, L'OFFICIEL presents a retrospective on the 30 best looks in the event's history.
Bianca Jagger, 1974
In 1974, Bianca Jagger attended the “Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design” Met Gala in a diaphanous ruby red gown with a matching beret.
Naomi Campbell, 1990
The 1990 Met Gala, themed "Théâtre de la Mode – Fashion Dolls: The Survival of Haute Couture," saw a number of avant garde creations to celebrate the legacy of craftsmanship in French fashion. However, always the rebel, Naomi Campbell boasted a more casual, yet quintessential Versace look in a vibrant, printed mini-dress.
Christy Turlington, 1992
Channeling her best Audrey Hepburn, '90s supermodel Christy Turlington followed the theme “Fashion and History: A Dialogue" by donning an elegant little black dress with layered pearl necklaces and a simple white shall.
Princess Diana, 1996
For her first and only Met Gala, the always stylish Princess of Wales attended Fashion's Night Out in 1996 in a navy slip dress from Christian Dior, whose fashion legacy comprised that year's theme.
Donatella and Gianni Versace, 1996
Alongside Princess Diana, design duo Donatella and Gianni Versace attended in matching leather-clad outfits of their own creation. Donatella paired a strappy black corset with a leather mini skirt while her brother opted for a black leather button-down under a white suit jacket.
Gisele Bündchen, 1999
Gisele Bündchen channeled the power of the sun in this sparkling gown. While it's not what one would expect with the theme "Rock Style," there's nothing more rock-n-roll than doing whatever you want.
Naomi Campbell and Iman, 2001
In defiance of the event's theme "Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years," Campbell and fellow model Iman donned sheer black ensembles, with Campbell giving major Madonna vibes in a "Like a Virgin" logo t-shirt.
Beyoncé, 2015
Hailey Bieber, 2017
Hailey Bieber, then Hailey Baldwin, looked like a modern day princess in the Saint Laurent alluring gown. The theme this year was dedicated to designer Rei Kawakubo. Her hair was pulled back for this look, emphasizing her beautiful bone structure and piercing eyes.
Rihanna, 2017
The "Desperado" singer took no liberties with the evening's theme honoring Rei Kawakubo, arriving in an avant garde floral number from the designer's own brand Commes Des Garçons.
Selena Gomez and The Weeknd, 2017
Very few can debut their relationship at the Met Gala. The pair glowed in all the images from the glamorous evening. Dressed in Coach, Selena Gomez accessorized with kitten heels and a mini purse - two big trends from the year. Alongside her, The Weeknd opted for a classy suit.
Kendall Jenner, 2017
The young model did her take on the wet look in this La Perla creation. Made from a singular piece of string, the garment showcased the tall model's physique. Styled with simple hair style, bright red lipstick, and finally tied together with a pair of Christian Louboutins, she proved that being classy and sexy are not exclusive.
Blake Lively, 2018
Like her Gossip Girl character Serena Van der Woodsen, Blake Lively's style is always one to watch. Her blood-red Versace gown featured detailed gold embroidery with a jewel-encrusted bodice and a cascading train. She accessorized the look with a golden halo-esque crown, fully adopting the evening's theme: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."
Priyanka Chopra, 2018
Priyanka Chopra was very regal in 2018 (right on theme!) in this Ralph Lauren look. The velvet tied in with the gold headpiece put her on the fashion radar.
Rihanna, 2018
That same year, Bad Girl RiRi returned with a tribute to the pope in a pearl-encrusted ensemble, featuring a dress, coat, and papal tiara. The Maison Margiela creation took a total of over 750 to sew and hand-stitch each pearl, but the final product was worth it.
Lady Gaga, 2019
As a co-host of the 2019 Met Gala, themed "Notes on Camp," Lady Gaga arrived in a vibrant pink gown from Brandon Maxwell. However, as she made her way down the red carpet, the singer metaphorized her look with three different wardrobe changes, ending in a black bra and shorts with fishnet stockings.
Harry Styles, 2019
Another co-chair, Harry Styles wore a black Gucci jumpsuit with a sheer top, accessorized by a single teardrop pearl earring.
Kendall and Kylie Jenner, 2019
Kim Kardashian, 2019
In 2019, Kim Kardashian mesmerized fans with her waist-cinching look. To get her disproportionate look, she wore a handmade corset from the famous Mr. Pearl under a skin-tight latex dress with pearl droppings from Thierry Mugler.
Emma Chamberlain, 2021
At the last Met Gala, in 2021, Emma Chamberlain shook the audience up. An unexpected attendance from one of the most influential Youtube-vlogger-insta-fashion-girly. After being named a Louis Vuitton ambassador it was fitting that she was dressed in this glamourous, yet sexy, gold work of art.
The Biebers, 2021
The stunning pair were photographed together all evening. Matching in all black, the duo looked like a Hollywood couple. Reportedly crying, Hailey Bieber put on some shades for the remainder of the night. However, she still glowed in Saint Laurent despite the accessory covering her eyes. Her husband, Justin Bieber wore a suit from "La Maison Drew", as he called it, a reference to his own label. The two did not disappoint.
Allyson Felix, 2021
The five-time Olympian went for a Fendi masterpiece. Made from 240,000 ostrich feathers, the couture gown fit her impeccably. The perfect image of glamour and class, Allyson Felix exceeded all expectations for her first Met Gala.
Anok Yai, 2021
In an Oscar de la Renta gown, Anok Yai made the Met Gala her runway. It is not surprise the Sudanese model made our top 25 as she glimmered in this sophisticated look making it hard to take your eyes off of her!
Zoë Kravitz, 2021
Another take on the naked look, Zoë Kravitz killed it in a crystal slip by Saint Laurent. A regular attendee to the event, the 33-year-old actress was show stopping in the totally sheer garment.
Billie Eilish, 2021
Another surprisingly remarkable gown was bodied by singer Billie Eilish. Going for something other than her characteristically grunge oversized look, she surpased most looks at the 2021 Met Gala. Channeling a modern day Marilyn Monroe, she was remarkably glamourous in the tulle Oscar de la Renta gown.
Vanessa Hudgens, 2022
At the 2022 Met Gala, Vanessa Hudgens went for a completely sheer black gown designed by none other than Moschino's Jeremy Scott. Though it was quite the daring choice, we all know Hudgens is never afraid to push boundaries when it comes to fashion. She is the queen of Coachella for a reason.
Blake Lively, 2022
No Met Gala best dressed list would be complete without Blake Lively's unforgettable interpretation of In America: An Anthology of Fashion. Lively's "Gilded Glamour" ensemble, crafted by Versace, made a bold statement with its transformation into a turquoise gown symbolizing the oxidation of the Statue of Liberty. Lively also co-chaired the Met Gala that year.
Alton Mason, 2023
Alton Mason had one of the dreamiest, most romantic looks at the 2023 Met Gala. Honoring the late Karl Lagerfeld in a custom Karl Lagerfeld couture by Hun Kim, the bridal ensemble included a lace corset, a beaded chiffon veil, and lace boots.
Anne Hathaway, 2023
Among the best Met Gala looks of all time is Anne Hathaway's 2023 ensemble. For Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, Hathaway turned heads in a jaw-dropping tweed Versace gown.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, 2023
There's no doubt that Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were the best dressed couple at the 2023 Met Gala. Rihanna wore a stunning Valentino hooded gown with floral details, while A$AP Rocky donned a black suit, tartan skirt, and jeans reminiscent of one of Karl Lagerfeld's iconic outfits.
Gigi Hadid, 2023
Last but certainly not least, Gigi Hadid's entrance at the 2023 Met Gala was nothing short of mesmerizing. The black Givenchy dress, designed by creative director Matthew M. Williams, consisted of a lace bodice, a sheer skirt, and, of course, a long, grandeaur train.