A Tribute to the Top 15 Red Carpet Looks in Met Gala History

Discover the 15 Most Memorable Met Gala Looks, from Rihanna to Lady Gaga, that Made Fashion History.

The first Monday of May is here, and in the world of fashion, that means the biggest topic on the agenda is the Met Gala. This year, attendees are tasked with flaunting their best ensembles inspired by the theme ‘The Garden of Time’, marking the opening of the new Metropolitan Museum exhibition, ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’.

As we gear up for the array of stunning outfits set to grace the star-studded fashion red carpet, we can’t help but reminisce about some of the Met Gala’s greatest fashion moments of all time. So, we’re taking a stroll down memory lane, revisiting some of our all-time favorite Met Gala looks.

• Michaela Coel in Schiaparelli, 2023: The creator and star of “I May Destroy You” dazzled in a sheer gold dress by Schiaparelli.

• Jenna Ortega in Thom Browne, 2023: “Wednesday” actress Jenna Ortega stood out in a custom corseted look by Thom Browne at her first Met Gala.

• Anne Hathaway in Versace, 2023: In a year where Anne Hathaway’s presence on the red carpet practically overshadowed everyone, this custom Versace dress was truly the icing on the cake.

• Blake Lively in Atelier Versace, 2022: A tribute to the architecture of New York City (and the Statue of Liberty!).

• Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell, 2019: The time Lady Gaga reinvented performance with four outfit changes at the Met Gala. Let’s talk about camp!

• Zendaya in Atelier Versace, 2018: Who else feels serious Joan of Arc meets Dune vibes from Zendaya’s armored Versace dress in 2018?

• Rihanna in John Galliano, 2018: Can we take a moment to commemorate Rihanna’s crystal-covered John Galliano papal look for the 2018 Heavenly Bodies-themed Met Gala?

• Cardi B in Thom Browne, 2019: Padded coats? We’ll opt for padded dresses only (with feather details and extra-long trains, of course) from now on!

• Ariana Grande in Vera Wang, 2018: Ariana Grande always outdoes herself in the wardrobe department. But her Vera Wang Sistine Chapel dress for the 2018 Catholic-themed Met Gala was undoubtedly her most extravagant look yet.

• Jared Leto in Gucci, 2019: Nothing is more camp than bringing a 3D replica of your own head to the red carpet. Well done, Alessandro Michele. We see you, and we appreciate you.

• Saoirse Ronan in Gucci, 2019: Attention Emilia Clarke, there’s a new Mother of Dragons in town, and it’s Saoirse Ronan in Gucci.

• Billy Porter in The Blonds, 2019: Not pictured: Billy Porter being carried onto the Met Gala pink carpet Cleopatra-style by six very handsome men also dressed in gold suits from The Blonds.

• Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen in vintage John Galliano for Dior, 2015: Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen head-to-toe in black isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love it.

• Rihanna in Guo Pei, 2015: Has Rihanna ever not looked flawless on the steps of the Met Gala? Hard to believe.

• Alexander McQueen and Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen, 2006: Tartan twins.