Every first Monday in May, the Metropolitan Museum of Art transforms into a sartorial spectacle, where fashion’s elite ascend its storied steps, not merely to showcase garments but to etch their presence into the annals of style history. The Met Gala is more than an event; it’s a canvas where couture meets concept, and where the avant-garde is not just welcomed but celebrated. As we anticipate the 2025 theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” let’s traverse the timeline of the Gala’s most unforgettable ensembles.
2011: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
Beyoncé in Emilio Pucci: Sheer Sophistication
Beyoncé’s black mermaid gown by Emilio Pucci was a study in sultry elegance. The sheer panels and intricate beading highlighted her curves, making a powerful statement on the red carpet.
Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen: Feathered Tribute
Daphne Guinness paid homage to the late designer in a dramatic feathered gown from Alexander McQueen. The ethereal ensemble, with its cascading plumes, was both a tribute and a testament to McQueen’s enduring legacy.
2014: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
Erykah Badu in Givenchy: Urban Monasticism
Erykah Badu’s Givenchy look blended street style with high fashion. The oversized white coat, paired with a towering top hat and a silk headscarf, was a nod to both monastic robes and urban chic.
2015: China: Through the Looking Glass
Rihanna in Guo Pei: The Golden Empress
Rihanna’s canary-yellow Guo Pei creation, with its expansive train and intricate embroidery, was a regal nod to “China: Through the Looking Glass.” The opulent cape, which took two years to craft, transformed her into a living imperial masterpiece.
Beyoncé in Givenchy: Sheer Triumph
Beyoncé set pulses racing with a show-stopping Givenchy gown that left little to the imagination. The sheer, skin-toned creation was encrusted with strategically placed gemstones, shimmering with every move—a masterclass in daring elegance.
2016: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology
Claire Danes in Zac Posen: Illuminated Elegance
In a luminous blue ballgown by Zac Posen, Claire Danes became the embodiment of “Manus x Machina.” Crafted from fibre-optic woven organza, the gown glowed ethereally in the dark, marrying technology with classic couture in a fairy-tale fashion moment.
Lupita Nyong’o in Calvin Klein: Beaded Brilliance
Lupita’s sea foam green Calvin Klein dress, adorned with sequins and featuring a sky-high hairdo, was a dazzling interpretation of the “Manus x Machina” theme, blending futuristic elements with classic glamour.
2017: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
Rihanna in Comme des Garçons: Floral Futurism
In a sculptural piece from Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garçons, Rihanna once again captivated the Gala. The 3D floral ensemble, with its layered petals and avant-garde silhouette, was a bold interpretation of the evening’s theme, “Art of the In-Between.”
2018: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
Rihanna in Maison Margiela: The Pontiff of Fashion
Rihanna’s 2018 appearance was nothing short of ecclesiastical elegance. Donning a bejewelled papal ensemble by John Galliano for Maison Margiela, she redefined “Heavenly Bodies” with intricate embellishments and thematic perfection.
Solange in Iris van Herpen: Divine Avant-Garde
Solange’s sculptural Iris van Herpen dress, complemented by a gilded halo and a durag inscribed with “My God Wears a Durag,” was a poignant statement on Black identity within sacred aesthetics.
Zendaya in Versace: Armoured Grace
Embodying Joan of Arc, Zendaya’s custom Versace ensemble melded chainmail with couture. The metallic gown, complete with shoulder guards and a structured neckpiece, was both a tribute to the warrior saint and a testament to Zendaya’s fashion prowess.
Kim Kardashian in Versace: Golden Goddess
Kim’s figure-hugging gold Versace gown, with its cross embellishments and shimmering fabric, exuded both sensuality and sanctity, aligning beautifully with the “Heavenly Bodies” theme.
Chadwick Boseman in Versace: Divine Draping
Chadwick Boseman’s white Versace ensemble, adorned with gold crosses and a flowing cape, was a celestial nod to “Heavenly Bodies,” leaving an indelible mark on the Gala’s history.
Cardi B’s Baroque Debut in Moschino
Making a seismic impact at her first Met Gala, Cardi B dazzled in a custom Moschino masterpiece, dripping in pearls and gold embroidery, crowned with a halo headpiece and an extravagant overskirt—a regal nod to the evening’s sacred opulence.
2019: Camp: Notes on Fashion
Katy Perry in Moschino: Illuminated Extravaganza
Katy Perry lit up the red carpet—literally—in a chandelier-inspired Moschino dress, complete with working lights and crystal adornments, embodying the playful essence of “Camp: Notes on Fashion.”
Lady Gaga’s Four-Act Fashion Show by Brandon Maxwell
Lady Gaga transformed the Met steps into a full performance, peeling back four dramatic looks—from a voluminous pink gown to black sequinned lingerie—each more theatrical than the last, in a dazzling display of camp and creativity.
Cardi B’s Crimson Statement by Thom Browne
For “Camp,” Cardi B dominated in a custom Thom Browne gown crafted from hand-quilted oxblood taffeta, flowing into an exaggerated train and completed with a matching bold lip—a portrait of extravagant beauty.
2021: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion
Kendall Jenner in Givenchy Haute Couture: Crystalised Classicism
Channeling Audrey Hepburn’s timeless grace, Kendall Jenner’s shimmering Givenchy gown, adorned with delicate crystals, exuded modern-day Eliza Doolittle charm.
Iman in Harris Reed: Gilded Glory
Iman’s collaboration with Harris Reed resulted in a breathtaking ensemble featuring a gold jacquard bustier, flared trousers, and a voluminous feathered overskirt. Topped with a radiant headdress, she embodied the very essence of opulence.
2022: In America: An Anthology of Fashion
Gunna in Thom Browne: Tailored Whimsy
Gunna’s Thom Browne outfit played with proportions and patterns, challenging traditional menswear norms with a layered, whimsical twist.
Kim Kardashian’s Marilyn Moment in Jean-Louis
Kim Kardashian’s arrival in Marilyn Monroe’s original crystal-strewn Jean-Louis gown, famously worn during Monroe’s “Happy Birthday, Mr President” performance, caused a sensation. Wearing the historic piece briefly before changing into a replica, Kim secured her place in Met Gala folklore—if not without controversy.
2023: Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty
Anne Hathaway in Versace: Tweed Temptress
Anne Hathaway’s Versace gown masterfully blended Chanel’s classic tweed with Versace’s signature sultriness, paying homage to ’90s supermodels.
Michaela Coel in Schiaparelli: Bejewelled Brilliance
Michaela Coel’s Schiaparelli dress, encrusted with over 130,000 crystals, was a dazzling display of craftsmanship and bold fashion sensibility.
Bad Bunny in Jacquemus: Floral Fantasy
Bad Bunny’s Jacquemus look featured an oversized floral cape paired with a sleek white suit—a memorable fusion of bold blooms and minimalist tailoring.
Doja Cat’s Choupette Fantasy by Oscar de la Renta
Doja Cat fully embraced the “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” theme by transforming into Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat. Her sparkling custom Oscar de la Renta gown, feline prosthetics, and dainty cat ears blurred the line between high fashion and playful camp.
2024: Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion
Zendaya in John Galliano: Duality in Design
Zendaya stunned in two contrasting John Galliano looks—a midnight-blue gown with a dramatic train and a celestial silver ensemble—highlighting her unmatched versatility and flair for drama.
Tyla in Balmain: Sculpted Sands
Tyla’s Balmain dress, crafted to resemble shifting sand dunes, was a sculptural marvel that celebrated natural beauty with breathtaking detail.
Colman Domingo in Willy Chavarria: Regal Refinement
Colman Domingo’s Willy Chavarria ensemble combined sharp tailoring with rich fabrics. The deep hues and structured silhouette exuded a regal presence, aligning perfectly with the evening’s theme.