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5 min read
The dress code for this year’s fashion bonanza has been unveiled as The Garden Of Time, so in anticipation, we’re revisiting some of the best Met Gala looks of all time.
The first Monday in May is one of the certified highlights of the fashion calendar: the Met Gala, and this year’s theme is set to offer all the fashion exposition our hearts could ever desire.
The theme for this year’s Oscars of the fashion world is The Garden Of Time, inspired by JG Ballard’s 1962 short story about the slow decay of a garden – so, we can expect an array of spooky, poetic, dark looks.
This year will see Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Hemsworth and Bad Bunny joining Anna Wintour as co-chairs of the glamorous affair.
Over the years we have witnessed some of fashion’s most revered outfits at the event: Sarah Jessica Parker and Lee McQueen in head-to-toe tartan punk, Rihanna’s ode to Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garçons and Kim Kardashian’s dress that spun a thousand Mrs Doubtfire memes, to name just a few.
In anticipation of this year’s inevitable high-fashion, garden-themed bonanza, Stylist has rounded up the best Met Gala red carpet looks of all time.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Lee McQueen, 2006
In celebration of his Scottish roots, designer Alexander McQueen dressed Sarah Jessica Parker in swathes of tartan for the 2006 Met Gala.
Rihanna, 2015
There is no one that commits to the Met Gala themes like Rihanna, and no one that executes them with such levels of drama.
Lena Waithe , 2018
If you can’t make a political statement with your choice of clothes at the Met Gala, then when can you?
Lady Gaga, 2019
Lady Gaga’s entrance to the 2019 Met Gala was almost as dramatic as her Brandon Maxwell dress. Almost. Her 16-minute red-carpet performance involved four different iterations of her outfit: the shocking pink cape was removed to reveal a black strapless bustier gown, which was then unfastened to show off a pink fitted gown. When this was shed, an embellished bra and knickers was revealed as the final look.
Beyoncé, 2015
Bringing a whole new meaning to the ‘naked’ dress, Beyoncé’s Givenchy creation was a glittering Met Gala moment. And we haven’t even started on the hair.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, 2015
Forever the most stylish twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley took on vintage John Galliano for Dior as their 2015 Met Gala look.
Bella Hadid, 2018
In a sea of gowns, there is the occasional red carpet rebel. In 2018, Bella Hadid stood out from the crowd wearing an Alexander Wang bodysuit.
Ariana Grande, 2018
2018’s Heavenly Bodies theme was one of the Met’s best in terms of dedication to the theme, as Ariana Grande demonstrates here in her ethereal Vera Wang gown.
Cara Delevingne, 2017
The supermodel used the 2017 Met Gala as her platform to debut her now-famous shaved head and this epic Chanel metallic trouser suit.
Naomi Campbell, 1995
Taking centre stage in a sparkling Versace column gown, Naomi Campbell proves she is totally timeless when it comes to red carpet style.
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik, 2016
The icon in this image actually isn’t Gigi Hadid’s custom Tommy Hilfiger dress, but Zayn’s bionic metal arms.
Diana Ross, 1981
Long before Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé were stealing the show at the Met Gala, Diana Ross led the way in layers of tiered feathers.
Frances McDormand, 2018
Perhaps the most unexpected show-stealer came in the form of Frances McDormand’s incredible Valentino outfit from 2018’s Met Gala. The headpiece alone deserves a moment in the red carpet hall of fame.
Cardi B,2018
Speaking of incredible headwear, Cardi B’s Moschino number proved you can never have enough embellishment in one look.
Princess Diana, 1996
In 1996 Princess Diana made a surprise appearance at the Met Gala in John Galliano for Dior (a mere few weeks after she debuted his collection for the brand). We are still on the hunt for a slip dress this good.
Blake Lively, 2018
Coming in at a staggering 600 hours to make, Blake Lively’s Versace gown has a little Game Of Thrones vibe to it, don’t you think?
Kate Moss, 2009
Leave it to supermodel Kate Moss to win the red carpet in a draped piece of lamé (granted it’s Marc Jacobs) and a matching turban. No wonder she took a long hiatus after this look.
Lady Gaga, 2016
Even with no trousers, Lady Gaga still achieves ‘icon’ status.
Katy Perry, 2018
Katy Perry goes hell for leather with the Heavenly Bodies theme (but we do feel sorry for whoever had to sit next to her at dinner).
Kim Kardashian, 2013
Head-to-toe florals courtesy of Givenchy made Kim Kardashian the most talked-about attendee at the 2013 Met Gala.
Lupita Nyong’o, 2016
This is what a real-life mermaid looks like. Fact.
Cher, 1986
Before JLo, Miley Cyrus and Kim Kardashian embraced the sheer, barely-there dress on the Met Gala steps, Cher was stepping out in this Bob Mackie creation.
Solange, 2018
Much like Rihanna, Solange really commits to her Met Gala looks – like rocking a halo behind a durag while wearing latex Iris Van Herpen.
Zendaya, 2017
Zendaya ensured all eyes remembered her magical look from the 2017 Met Gala, opting for a Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda floral gown and blown-out natural hair.
Rihanna, 2018
One more Rihanna, because she really is the reigning Met Gala queen.
Anne Hathaway, 2023
In 2023, Anne Hathaway wore a daring Versace white tweed dress covered in slashes and held together with giant pearl-encrusted safety pins. She also donned a Bulgari coin necklace.
Tessa Thompson, 2022
This dreamy, tiered taffeta number by Carolina Herrera is nothing short of heavenly.
Gemma Chan, 2019
The Tom Ford silver cape dress and giant bedazzled headpiece were inspired by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1968 flick Boom! We love a pop culture reference.
Ashley Olsen, 2013
In 2013, Ashley Olsen donned a vintage Dior dress with a matching sheer cape overlay. Floaty, dreamy, orange perfection.
Suki Waterhouse, 2023
Suki Waterhouse opted for vintage Fendi in 2023, wearing a nude sheer dress covered in floral embroidery. With her ethereal make-up, she looked just like a woodland fairy.
Images: Getty Images
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