Every Met Gala Theme Ever
From 1971 to now, we're taking a look at all of the different themes.
The Met Gala is one of fashion's most anticipated events. The top stars of today show up in their finest outfits, and designers get the freedom to interpret each theme in new and exciting ways. From religious looks to punk rock outfits, the themes of the Met Gala are always surprising. As we wait for the 2023 Met Gala, L'OFFICIEL takes a look at all of the Met Gala themes.
1971 was the first year that the Met hosted the Met Gala. For their first theme, the Costume Institute decided on "Fashion Plate." As defined by Merriam Webster, fashion plate refers to "a person who dresses very fashionably," or "an illustration of a clothing style." Both definitions help to define what the Met Gala sets out to do. Now, it's one of the biggest fashion events of the year, and guests go all out for their costumes. Designers share their illustrations for their garments, thus incorporating the second definition into the event. For the first year, guests wore their finest garments and kicked off what would become the Met Gala.
In 1972, the Met Gala highlighted the less formal side of creation with "Untailored Garments." Guests wore free-flowing, abstract garments that had no tailored structure.
Following the death of Cristobal Balenciaga in 1972, the Met honored his legacy with The World of Balenciaga. As a Spaniard, Balenciaga took inspiration from bullrings, flamenco dancers, fishermen, the church, and other defining characters of the country. Guests honored the late designer by wearing his garments to the event.
The glamor of Old Hollywood was the theme for the 1974 event. Big feathers, sparkles, and elegant gowns were all the rage. Cher's outfit was a highlight of the night as she brought themes of Hollywood to her personal taste with a sheer glitter and feather tight dress.
American women got the spotlight in 1975. Prominent figures from the 1800s to the late 1900s, such as Irene Castle, Isadora Duncan, and Josephine Baker, were acknowledged for their impeccable taste. Guests channeled these stylish women in their outfits for the evening.
The 1976 exhibition showed Russian garments from the Soviet Union that were never before seen. The exhibition showed all sorts of dress, from low class to the extreme upper class, and really painted a picture of what dressing in the Soviet Union was like.
In 1977, Diana Vreeland took a look at Vanity Fair's "treasure trove" for the Met Gala exhibition. The exhibition displayed about 500 items from Vanity Fair's private collection for viewers to see. The importance of clothes was the central theme of the event, and designers went all out with the outfits.
Serge Diaghilev was an innovative and fascinating organizer for ballet. His most famous works were his Russo-Oriental performances. They used Russian artists, musicians, choreographers, and dancers for Paris-based performances. He brought a new form of ballet to the dance world that was not highlighted before. For the 1978 gala, Diaghilev's costumes and designs were used as inspiration for the garments.
Although it no longer exists, the Austria-Hungary empire was in the spotlight for the 1979 gala. The Costume Institute looked to the fashion from the Austria-Hungary empire, specifically the fashion from Vienna, for their exhibition. Garments were made with these design principles in mind, as Viennese court dresses were a common garment worn by attendees.
The 1980 gala highlighted the embroidery and silks from the Chi'ng Dynasty. Guests wore intricately designed dresses made from fine silk and used the skills from the Chi'ng Dynasty in a modern way.
In 1981, designers looked back to the 18th Century for design inspiration. "The Eighteenth-Century Woman" theme brought back squared necklines, small waistlines, and bouffant skirts. Guests paid a whopping $350 to attend the gala, a price that seems insignificant compared to the ticket prices of today.
For 1982, the Met centered the theme around the Belle Époque period. Starting in the early 1800s and spanning to the beginning of World War I, this period is characterized by optimism, economic prosperity, and technological and scientific progress. It took control of France and other parts of Europe. Women wore tightfitting corsetted dresses, and men wore dashing suits. It was a true marvel in fashion history and was reimagined in the modern era for the 1982 Met Gala.
Yves Saint Laurent was the man of the hour for the 1983 Met Gala. In honor of his 25 years of designing, guests wore garments designed by Saint Laurent or inspired by his work to the gala.
"Man and the Horse" was the theme for 1984. Although a rather abstract concept, guests were instructed to follow an equestrian theme for the event.
For 1985, India was the focus. This was the year that Cher showed up in the iconic see-through black and gold dress that has gone down in fashion history.
The theme for 1986 was vague, to say the least. Guests were instructed to follow a "dance" theme. Considering it was the 1980s, the theme makes sense for the age of disco. Guests showed up in designer prom-like dresses and other attire.
1987 marked the 50th anniversary of the Costume Insitute. Since the Costume Institue helps organize the Met Gala, they used that year's event to have an even bigger party than usual.
Victorian dress is always used as inspiration for modern fashion. From John Galliano's Victorian-inspired dresses to the resurgence of the corset, the Victorian era was killing it in regards to fashion. For 1988, the Costume Insitute looked to the era for the theme of the gala.
The French Revolution was the inspiration for the 1989 Met Gala. Guests and designers looked to fashion from 1789 to 1815 for inspiration.
Haute Couture had its shining moment in 1990 as the Met Gala theme looked to the theatrical themes of the genre. Models, such as Naomi Campbell, wore bright and abstract garments to the event.
For the 1992 theme, the Met Gala attendees combined fashion and history to create elaborate looks. Christy Turlington channeled Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's look for her Met Gala outfit.
Diana Vreeland was recognized in 1993 for her work in fashion journalism. As a writer for Harper's Bazaar and as Editor-in-Chief at Vogue, Vreeland was an influential person in the fashion sphere.
For 1994, the Costume Institue focused on the influence of Eastern fashion in the Western world.
For the 1995 Met Gala, the theme was simple with Haute Couture. Glittering dresses and sauves suits took over the carpet for the exclusive event.
For 1996, it was Dior's time to shine. The late designer was honored for his dedication to the world of fashion. Princess Diana was the one to watch as she wore a gorgeous navy blue gown with an extravagant sapphire and diamond necklace.
Gianna Versace got the spotlight in 1997. This was the year that the Met Gala was regarded as the "party of the year." At the party, Madonna, Cher, and Donatella Versace were pictured in their iconic looks together.
The Cubism and Fashion Met Gala highlighted how the traits of cubism have been incorporated into art and fashion. Guests wore outfits inspired by the works of Picasso and other cubist painters to the event.
The "Rock Style" theme of 1999 highlights the grunge look of the decade. From custom tees to fur, to a mix of hardcore and princess aesthetics, the looks were all over the place. Guests, such as Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney stayed true to the DIY nature of the rock, while others wore ballgowns that didn't follow suit at all.
Following the cancellation of the 2000 gala, the Met returned by honoring Jackie Kennedy. Originally scheduled in December, the event moved to April to get the festivities going.
For 2003, the theme focused on classical themes and goddesses. However, most guests showed up looking like brides. White was a prominent color of the evening, and there was a mix of elegant gowns and streetwear styles.
For 2004, the Costume Insitute looked at the relationship between fashion and furniture. Guests wore glamorous gowns and sleek tuxedos to the event.
In 2005, Chanel got its recognition. Guests wore different outfits from the iconic brand.
In 2006, British fashion took over for "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion." From British punk icons like Johnny Rotten to the designer of the decade Vivienne Westwood, the 2006 gala served some iconic looks.
For 2007, the Met acknowledged Paul Poiret's legacy. The French designer was referred to as the King of Fashion, and all designers at the event took note. From corsets to dramatic ball gowns to regal looks, the 2007 Met Gala was one for the books.
For the superheroes theme of 2008, we would expect capes. However, the attendees took the theme and turned it into fashion's interpretation of superhero costumes. Victoria Beckham wore a supervillian-inspired Giorgio Armani gown that had a high neck with a plunging neckline, whereas Kate Bosworth took the comic book theme to heart in a colorful Chanel gown.
The theme for 2009 was really up to interpretation. Having the "model as the muse" allowed designers to take their imagination in any direction they wanted. Some attendees went all out with avant garde looks, while others played it safe. It was a mix of aesthetics that came together under one theme.
In 2010, the Met looked to America for inspiration for the first time. Focusing on American women, guests wore outfits by American designers and themed by the country. Red, white and blue were the major colors of the night.
Staged the year after the passing of Alexander McQueen, the Met honored the designer's incredible legacy. Still-mourning friends of the designer attended the gala in his honor in different variations of McQueen's designs. Some wore his own label, while others chose to highlight his aesthetic with different brands.
For 2012, the Met theme focused on the ideals of Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada. Schiaparelli made a name for herself in the '20s and '30s, while Prada made a name for herself in the '80s and '90s. Due to the gap in time, this "conversation" between the two would never happen, but both women shared similar ideals and principles. Many guests in attendance wore Prada, but some ventured out into Miu Miu, a subsidiary of Prada's grandfather's design house.
In 2013, the Met Gala brought us back to the days of punk with the theme "Punk: Chaos to Couture." Guests wore their best punk attire with fishnets, mesh, and sharp cuts taking over the carpet.
For 2014, the Met highlighted English-American designer Charles James. Sarah Jessica Parker, Bradley Cooper, and Oscar de la Renta co-chaired the event. Guests wore ball gowns and lively outfits in honor of James and his legacy.
The gala celebrated China's influence on western fashion for the 2015 exhibition. Looks from Chanel, Christian Dior, and Alexander McQueen were on display. Rihanna stole the show with her iconic yellow gown designed by Chinese designer Guo Pei.
Celebrating the age of technology, guests wore technology-inspired outfits. Claire Danes wore a glowing gown, while Emma Watson wore an outfit made from water bottles. The exhibition focused on the difference between handmade and machine-made garments.
In 2017, Rei Kawakubo was honored for her innovative designs. The event was co-chaired by Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams. Guests either wore designs from Kawakubo herself or wore outfits designed with Kawakubo's aesthetics in mind.
2018's gala was filled with the holy spirit. For the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," the Met displayed rare artifacts from the Vatican and required guests to dress following a heavenly and religious dress code. Attendees took this theme and ran with it, and showed up in outfits inspired by the Pope, angels, and other religious figures.
Taking inspiration from Susan Sontag's essay "Notes on Camp," the 2019 Met Gala theme focused on extravagance. Guests showed up in their most out-there looks to follow the theme. Stars such as Lady Gaga and Billy Porter went above and beyond for their looks, while others took a more simple route.
For the return to the Met Gala after the COVID-19 pandemic, the theme was "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion". Guests were instructed to wear "American independence." Stars such as Timothée Chalamet and Billie Eilish wore American-inspired outfits.
Also thematically known as "Gilded Glamour," the 2022 Met Gala, a follow-up to the previous year's event, was all about celebrating opulence, as well as fashion's role in American history. Celebrities used the opportunity to pay homage to hallmark American designers.
For this year's Met Gala, hosts Dua Lipa, Micaela Coel, Penélope Cruz, and Roger Federer will lead the guest list in a night remembering the late Karl Lagerfeld. As the Creative Director of Chanel, Fendi, and his own eponymous brand, there's no shortage of ways for celebrities to pay tribute to the legendary designer's legacy.
For the upcoming Met Gala, the Costume Institute's latest exhibition is titled "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," and guests are asked to arrive in a dress code that conveys the theme coined "The Garden of Time.” Co-hosting the Met Gala this year are Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth.
