The Met Gala, formally known as the Costume Institute Gala, is an annual fundraising event for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. It serves as the grand opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and exclusive events in the fashion industry.
Since its inception in 1948, the Met Gala has evolved into a star-studded affair, attracting A-list celebrities from various industries such as film, music, and fashion. The theme for each year’s event is chosen to coincide with the current exhibition at the Costume Institute, making it a highly anticipated event in the fashion calendar.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Met Gala is the red carpet, where the world’s biggest stars showcase their interpretations of the theme through their outfits. From show-stopping ensembles to bold fashion risks, the Met Gala has produced some of the most iconic and memorable looks in celebrity fashion history. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the top Met Gala looks, both past, and present, that have left a lasting impression on the fashion world.
Introduction to the Met Gala
Before we dive into the top Met Gala looks, let’s take a brief look at the event itself. As mentioned earlier, the Met Gala is an annual fundraising event for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It was first established by publicist Eleanor Lambert as a way to raise money for the newly founded Costume Institute and to celebrate the opening of its annual exhibition.
Over the years, the Met Gala has become one of the most talked-about events in the fashion industry, attracting the biggest names in entertainment, fashion, and art. Each year, the gala has a different theme that coincides with the upcoming costume exhibition, providing attendees with the opportunity to showcase their creativity and interpretation of the theme through their outfits.
The Met Gala is also known for its exclusive guest list, with tickets being priced at $30,000 per person or $275,000 for a table. The event is co-chaired by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who handpicks the guest list, along with other notable celebrities and fashion icons.
Show-Stopping Ensembles
One of the highlights of the Met Gala is undoubtedly the red carpet, where celebrities flaunt their most extravagant and eye-catching ensembles. From intricate gowns to elaborate headpieces, the red carpet at the Met Gala never fails to impress with its display of opulence and grandeur. Here are some of the show-stopping ensembles that have graced the Met Gala in recent years:
Rihanna’s “Guo Pei” Dress (2015)
In 2015, Rihanna made headlines with her show-stopping yellow gown designed by Chinese designer Guo Pei. The dress featured a long train and an intricate embroidered design, taking over two years to create. Rihanna’s bold fashion choice perfectly captured the theme of the night, “China: Through the Looking Glass”, and remains one of the most talked-about Met Gala looks to this day.
Zendaya’s Cinderella-Inspired Gown (2019)
At the 2019 Met Gala, Zendaya truly embodied the fairytale theme with her Cinderella-inspired gown. Designed by Tommy Hilfiger, the powder blue dress featured a full skirt, puff sleeves, and even came complete with a glass slipper. Zendaya’s look was a hit among fans and fashion critics alike, solidifying her as a style icon on the red carpet.
Lady Gaga’s “Camp” Look (2019)
Known for her eccentric fashion choices, Lady Gaga did not disappoint at the 2019 Met Gala, where the theme was “Camp: Notes on Fashion”. The singer arrived in a hot pink Brandon Maxwell gown, which she later revealed was actually four different looks in one. She started off with a huge fuchsia dress, then removed it to reveal a black gown underneath, followed by a pink slip dress, and finally ending up in a crystal bra and panties set. Gaga’s bold fashion statement perfectly embodied the camp theme and had everyone talking.
Bold Fashion Risks
The Met Gala is known for its high-fashion and avant-garde looks, making it the perfect platform for celebrities to take bold fashion risks and push the boundaries of traditional red carpet attire. Here are some of the daring and unconventional looks that have caught our attention at the Met Gala:
Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Punk” Look (2013)
At the 2013 Met Gala, the theme was “Punk: Chaos to Couture”, and Sarah Jessica Parker took the opportunity to make a bold statement with her outfit. The actress arrived in a custom-made Giles Deacon floral print gown with a Philip Treacy mohawk headpiece, inspired by the punk subculture. While some may have deemed this look as too over-the-top, it perfectly captured the theme and made a lasting impression.
Solange’s “Architectural” Dress (2016)
In 2016, Solange Knowles made a dramatic entrance at the Met Gala with her architectural dress designed by David LaPort. The white strapless gown featured an exaggerated puff sleeve, giving the illusion of a figure-eight silhouette. The singer also accessorized with a gold halo headpiece, adding to the overall dramatic effect of her look. It was a bold and unique fashion risk that paid off and garnered praise from fashion critics.
Katy Perry’s “Hamburger” Dress (2019)
At the 2019 Met Gala, Katy Perry fully embraced the camp theme by arriving in a hamburger costume designed by Moschino’s Jeremy Scott. The outfit featured a burger-print strapless dress, complete with lettuce, cheese, and tomato accents, paired with a matching headpiece. While this may not be everyone’s idea of high fashion, it definitely made for a memorable and playful moment on the red carpet.
Elegant and Timeless Looks
Not all Met Gala looks have to be over-the-top or avant-garde to make an impact. Some celebrities opt for elegant and timeless looks that exude sophistication and grace. Here are some of the most elegant and timeless Met Gala looks that have captured our hearts:
Blake Lively’s “Versace” Gown (2018)
In 2018, Blake Lively arrived at the Met Gala in a stunning custom-made Versace gown. The dress featured intricate gold beading and embroidery, with a detachable train that doubled as a cape. The actress completed her look with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and a sleek ponytail. It was a classic and elegant choice that perfectly embodied the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” theme.
Lupita Nyong’o’s “Prada” Gown (2014)
At the 2014 Met Gala, Lupita Nyong’o wowed us with her Prada gown. The emerald green dress featured a plunging neckline, delicate feather accents, and a high slit, making it a modern and glamorous take on old Hollywood glamour. The actress also accessorized with a matching headband and drop earrings, adding to the overall elegance of her look.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Grecian” Dress (2006)
Back in 2006, Sarah Jessica Parker stunned in a Grecian-inspired Alexander McQueen gown. The dress featured a draped silk chiffon bodice, with a flowing skirt and a gold belt cinching in the waist. The actress completed her look with a sleek updo and minimal jewelry, making her one of the best-dressed at the event.
Avant-Garde Statements
The Met Gala is known for pushing the boundaries of fashion, and some celebrities use this opportunity to make avant-garde statements through their outfits. Here are some of the most unforgettable avant-garde looks from the Met Gala:
Cardi B’s “Thom Browne” Look (2019)
At the 2019 Met Gala, Cardi B turned heads with her Thom Browne gown, which took over 2,000 hours to create. The dress featured a red quilted design, complete with a 10-foot train, and was inspired by the Niagara Falls. The rapper also accessorized with a matching headpiece and red gloves, making it a bold and dramatic statement on the red carpet.
Jared Leto’s “Gucci” Look (2019)
Jared Leto made a memorable entrance at the 2019 Met Gala, dressing as his own accessory. The actor arrived carrying a replica of his own head, designed by Gucci’s Alessandro Michele. The outfit was a nod to the theme of the night, “Camp: Notes on Fashion”, and definitely made for a surreal and avant-garde moment on the red carpet.
Billy Porter’s “Sun God” Outfit (2019)
Actor Billy Porter made waves in 2019 when he arrived at the Met Gala in a dazzling gold ensemble, designed by The Blonds. The outfit featured a bejeweled catsuit with a matching cape, embellished with over 10,000 Swarovski crystals. To top it off, Porter was carried onto the red carpet by six shirtless men, perfectly capturing the camp theme and making a powerful statement.
Fashion Faux Pas
While the Met Gala is known for its iconic and memorable looks, there have also been some fashion faux pas that have made headlines over the years. Here are a few of the most talked-about fashion mishaps at the Met Gala:
Madonna’s “Barely-There” Dress (2016)
At the 2016 Met Gala, Madonna walked the red carpet in a revealing Givenchy dress that left little to the imagination. The black lace ensemble featured cutouts and strategically placed tape covering her breasts. While the outfit definitely turned heads, it received criticism for being too revealing and inappropriate for the event.
Kim Kardashian’s “Floral” Dress (2013)
In 2013, Kim Kardashian arrived at the Met Gala in a floral gown designed by Riccardo Tisci. The dress featured a high neckline, full sleeves, and a thigh-high slit, but it was her matching gloves and shoes that caused a stir online. Many compared her outfit to a couch or curtains, making it one of the most talked-about fashion misses from the event.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Nativity Scene” Headpiece (2018)
While Sarah Jessica Parker has had many iconic Met Gala looks, she also had a fashion faux pas in 2018 when she arrived wearing a headpiece inspired by the nativity scene. The actress paired the headdress with a gold Dolce & Gabbana gown, which some deemed culturally insensitive and offensive. It sparked controversy and backlash on social media, making it one of the most controversial moments in Met Gala history.
Conclusion
The Met Gala is undoubtedly one of the biggest nights in fashion, attracting the world’s biggest stars and showcasing some of the most iconic and memorable looks in celebrity fashion history. From show-stopping ensembles to bold fashion risks, the Met Gala has given us a plethora of unforgettable fashion moments year after year. Whether you love elegant and timeless looks or avant-garde statements, the Met Gala never fails to disappoint with its display of creativity and grandeur.
