A Glamorous Legacy: The Best Met Gala Looks of All Time

The Met Gala has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a fundraising dinner in 1948. Conceived by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, the event was once a niche charity affair but has since evolved into one of the most iconic red carpets in the world. Hosted annually on the first Monday in May, the gala serves as the opening night of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. More than just a display of couture, the Met Gala is a cultural commentary wrapped in fashion—each year’s theme rooted in a narrative that invites artistic interpretation and sartorial imagination.

In 2025, the Costume Institute presents Superfine: Tailoring Black Style—a groundbreaking exploration of Black dandyism, inspired by Monica Miller’s seminal work, Slaves to Fashion. This year’s exhibition celebrates the artistry, resilience, and resistance embedded in Black fashion history, reinterpreted through tailored elegance and vibrant individuality. As guests gear up to honour a legacy of style that blends politics with panache, we take a moment to look back at some of the most influential Met Gala themes and red carpet moments of all time—each one etched in fashion memory for its drama, symbolism, and impeccable execution.

For the 2019 Met Gala theme Camp: Notes on Fashion, Zendaya, styled by her long-time collaborator Law Roach, stepped out in a Cinderella-inspired gown by Tommy Hilfiger. The dress was a glowing powder blue ballgown, complete with light-up elements and a sculptural silhouette that magically transformed in real-time with the wave of Law Roach’s wand—playing the part of her fairy godfather. From the puffed sleeves to the LED-illuminated skirt , the look wasn't just a showstopper; it was a performance. This moment solidified Zendaya and Law Roach as Met Gala royalty.

Also on the 2019 Met Gala red carpet, pop icon Katy Perry leaned into the Camp theme with a Jeremy Scott for Moschino creation that turned her into a literal chandelier. Complete with crystal embellishments, a silver corset, and working lights, the elaborate ensemble was both eccentric and electrifying. She later changed into a hamburger costume for the after-party, proving she understood the assignment like no other.

No Met Gala list is complete without Lady Gaga. For the Camp theme, the pop provocateur delivered not one, but four costume changes on the red carpet. Styled by Brandon Maxwell, Gaga arrived in a voluminous hot pink gown with an exaggerated train. She then proceeded to strip down—layer by layer—revealing a series of increasingly minimalist looks, ending with a black crystal-studded bra and underwear set paired with platform boots. It was part runway, part performance art, and all Gaga.

At the 2024 Met Gala themed Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, Elle Fanning channelled her character Aurora from Maleficent in a breathtaking Balmain creation. The ethereal, off-shoulder gown featured delicate ivory drapery, hand-embroidered crystal detailing, and a dreamy silhouette that seemed to float as she walked. With her hair in soft waves and minimal makeup, the look felt like a modern fairytale come to life—effortless, elegant, and impossibly graceful.

For the Met Gala 2006 theme Anglomania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion, Sarah Jessica Parker and  Alexander McQueen arrived in one of the most harmoniously thematic looks of all time. Paying homage to McQueen’s Scottish heritage, the duo coordinated in striking tartan ensembles that blended historical references with a punk-inspired edge. Parker’s one-shouldered gown featured dramatic draping and a cinched waist, exuding both elegance and rebellion. Meanwhile, McQueen himself wore a tailored tartan suit with a traditional kilt—perfectly encapsulating his signature blend of heritage and provocation. Their joint appearance was more than a red carpet moment; it was a fashion statement grounded in shared vision and theatrical precision.

At the 2018 Met Gala, themed Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, Rihanna reigned supreme in a custom Maison Margiela ensemble by John Galliano. Styled by Mel Ottenberg, her look transformed religious symbolism into high fashion. The ensemble featured a heavily embellished mini dress, an ornate matching cape, and a crystal-studded mitre that echoed papal grandeur. The intricacy of the beadwork and the boldness of her silhouette turned heads instantly. With radiant makeup and a commanding presence, Rihanna brought reverence and edge to the red carpet, reaffirming her status as the undisputed queen of Met Gala iconography.

As we await the  Met Gala 2025 theme to showcase how designers and celebrities reinterpret Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, these iconic fashion moments remind us that the Met red carpet is not just about clothes—it’s a canvas for storytelling, culture, and the kind of theatrical fashion that lingers long after the flashes fade.

The Met Gala dress code continues to push the boundaries of fashion, turning every gala event into a visual spectacle of creativity and couture. From daring silhouettes to iconic ensembles, gala attire has evolved into a powerful form of personal and cultural expression.