Fashion

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.

Anok Yai in a gold mini dress.
Anok Yai in Prabal Gurung at the 2023 Met Gala. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

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

Bianca Jagger in Halston at 1974 Met Gala
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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

Naomi Campbell in a patterned Versace mini dress at Met Gala 1990
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

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

Christy Turlington in Audrey Hepburn inspired Givenchy at 1992 Met Gala
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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

Princess Diana in navy Dior at 1996 Met Gala
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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

Donatella and Gianni Versace at 1996 Met Gala in black and gold.
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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

Model Gisele Bündchen at Met Gala 1999 in a nude and red gown.
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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

Models Naomi Campbell and Iman in black sheer ensembles at 2001 Met Gala.
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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

Beyoncé in sheer Givency at Met Gala 2015
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She sings, she dances, and she can pull off any look. Beyoncé celebrated 2015's "China: Through the Looking Glass" theme in a sheer, jewel-encrusted gown from Givenchy.

Hailey Bieber, 2017

Hailey Bieber in light pink Saint Laurent at 2017 Met Gala
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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

Rihanna in Commes des Garçons at 2017 Met Gala
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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

Selena Gomez in Coach with The Weeknd at 2017 Met Gala.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

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

Kendall Jenner in La Perla at 2017 Met Gala
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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

Blake Lively in custom Versace at Met Gala 2018
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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 at Met Gala 2018 in Ralph Lauren
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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

Rihanna in Maison Margiela at Met Gala 2018
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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

Lady Gaga in a large pink Brandon Maxwell creation.
Part two of Lady Gaga's look by Brandon Maxwell.
Lady Gaga part 3 in a hot pink tightly fitted Brandon Maxwell creation.
Last portion of Lady Gaga's 2019 Met Gala look.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

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

Harry Styles in Gucci Met Gala 2019
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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

person human clothing apparel fashion leisure activities evening dress gown robe
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The Jenner sisters arrived in monochrome ensembles, both from Versace. While Kylie's purple number embodied a mermaid with a scalloped bodice and netted skirt, Kendall opted for a more fiery route with an orange feathered collar.

Kim Kardashian, 2019

Kim Kardashian in Thierry Mugler Wet Look Met Gala 2019
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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

Emma Chamberlain in Louis Vuitton by Virgil Abloh.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

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

Hailey Bieber in Saint Laurent and Justin Bieber at Met Gala 2021
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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

Allyson Felix in pastel Fendi at Met Gala 2021
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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

Anok Yai in Oscare de la Renta at Met Gala 2021
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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

Zoë Kravitz in Saint Laurent sheer gown at Met Gala 2021
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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

Billie Eilish Met Gala 2021 in peach dress
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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

Vanessa Hudgens in a sheer black dress.
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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

blake lively met gala 2022 in america anthology of fashion
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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 wearing white lace.
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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

Anna Hathaway in white gown.
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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

Rihanna and ASAP Rocky. Courtesy of Getty Images.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

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

Blake Lively at the 2022 Met Gala karl lagerfeld
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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. 

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