ADVERTISEMENT
100 iconic Met Gala fashion ensembles over the decades
The Gala raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, and its less influential though no less opulent exhibition, has become a red carpet machine that is arguably more anticipated and dissected than the Oscars. i
Updated:
Published:
Image 0 of 100
Jackie Onassis and Sir Hugh Fraser during Costume Institute Gala Presents "Fashions of The Hapsburg Era" at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Model and jewelry designer Tina Chow and Michael Chow at Costume Institute Ball,fashion exhibit NYC, 1980. (Tobi Seftel/Corbis via Getty Images)
Raquel Welch, Diana Ross and Patrice Calmette attend a gala evening at the Metropolitan in New York in 1981. (Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images)
Actress Raquel Welch attends the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala Exhibition of "La Belle Epoque" on December 6, 1982 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Actress Brooke Shields attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Exhibition of "Yves Saint Laurent: 25 Years of Design" on December 5, 1983 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Designer Bob Mackie and the singer and actress Cher attend the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, 1985. (Rose Hartman/Getty Images)
Christy Turlington attends the 1992 Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala circa 1992 in New York City. (PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty Images)
Model Veronica Webb attends The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala on Dec. 5, 1994 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Naomi Campbell and guest during 1995 Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Dec. 4, 1995. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
From left: Diana Princess of Wales arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (John Stillwell/AFP via Getty Images)
Princess Diana attends Met Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on Dec. 9, 1996 in New York City. (Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Madonna, Donatella Versace and Cher attending Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala to introduce Gianni Versace Exhibition, Dec. 8, 1997. (Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant attend the opening gala for an exhibit honoring late Italian designer Gianni Versace at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Dec. 8, 1997. (Steve Eichner/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Claudia Schiffer attends the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Dec. 7, 1998. (Steve Eichner/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney attend Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Exhibition of "Rock Style" on December 6, 1999 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Stella McCartney and Gwyneth Paltrow arrive at the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala for the opening of 'Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years' at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, April 23, 2001. (Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Model Gisele Bundchen arrives for "Goddess: Costume Institute Benefit Gala" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume April 28, 2003 in New York City. (Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Artist Victoria Beckham and model Naomi Campbell attend the Costume Institute Benefit Gala: 'Party of the Year' at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, April 28, 2003. (Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Amber Valletta during 2004 Costume Institute Gala "Dangerous Liaisons" - Arrivals at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Gregory Pace/FilmMagic)
Supermodel Linda Evangelista attends the "Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century" Costume Institute benefit gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art April 26, 2004 in New York City. (Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Model Karolina Kurkova attends the MET Costume Institute Gala Celebrating Chanel at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 2, 2005 In New York City. (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Elle Macpherson attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute gala. (Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Actress Sarah Jessica Parker with designer Alexander McQueen attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala: Anglomania at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 1, 2006 in New York City. (Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Designer John Galliano (L) and actress Charlize Theron attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala: Anglomania at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 1, 2006 in New York City. (Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Actresses Drew Barrymore (L) and Charlize Theron attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2006 in New York City. (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Cameron Diaz attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala 'Poiret: King Of Fashion' at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City BRIAN ZAK. (Brian ZAK/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Model Coco Rocha attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute gala in New York City, May 7, 2007. (Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Athlete David Beckham and singer Victoria Beckham attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala "Superheroes: Fashion And Fantasy" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2008 in New York City. (Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
Marc Jacobs and Kate Moss attend THE COSTUME INSTITUTE GALA: "The Model As Muse" with Honorary Chair Marc Jacobs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2009 in New York City. (CHANCE YEH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Jessica Biel at costume Institute, New York, 2009. (Kristen Somody Whalen/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Actress Anne Hathaway attends the Costume Institute Gala Benefit to celebrate the opening of the "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 3, 2010 in New York City. (Getty Images)
Oprah Winfrey attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 2010 Costume Institute gala. (Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Model Naomi Campbell attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
Beyonce attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City. (Getty Images)
Christina Ricci attends the "Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2012 in New York City. (Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images)
Florence Welch arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala benefit, celebrating Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, Monday, May 7, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Jessica Alba arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala benefit, celebrating Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, Monday, May 7, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit celebrating "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" on Monday May 6, 2013 in New York. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Ashley Olsen attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit celebrating "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" on Monday, May 6, 2013, in New York. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Hailee Steinfeld attends the Costume Institute Gala for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. (Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage)
Lupita Nyong'o attends the "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Liu Wen arriving at the Met Gala event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA. (Dennis Van Tine/PA Images via Getty Images)
Cara Delevingne, from left, Stella McCartney, Kate Bosworth, and Reese Witherspoon attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" on Monday, May 5, 2014, in New York. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Rihanna arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating "China: Through the Looking Glass" on Monday, May 4, 2015, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Katy Perry and Jeremy Scott arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating "China: Through the Looking Glass" on Monday, May 4, 2015, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Jennifer Lopez arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating "China: Through the Looking Glass" on Monday, May 4, 2015, in New York. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Kerry Washington arrives at the Costume Institute Gala Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art May 5, 2015 in New York.(TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
Lady Gaga arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala, celebrating the opening of "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" on Monday, May 2, 2016, in New York. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Taylor Swift arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala, celebrating the opening of "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" on Monday, May 2, 2016, in New York. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid attend the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (John Shearer/Getty Images)
Hugh Dancy, from left, Claire Danes and Zac Posen arrive at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala, celebrating the opening of "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" on Monday, May 2, 2016, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Rihanna leaves the Carlyle hotel on the way to the Costume Institute Gala (aka the Met Gala) on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (Rebecca Smeyne/Getty Images)
Celine Dion at 'Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons:Art of the In-Between' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (Jackson Lee/FilmMagic)
Zendaya attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between exhibition on May 1, 2017, in New York. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen at 'Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (Jackson Lee/FilmMagic)
Sarah Jessica Parker attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Solange attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City. (Dia Dipasupil/WireImage)
Jean Paul Gaultier and Madonna attend Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City. (John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Rihanna attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination exhibition on May 7, 2018, in New York. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Zendaya attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination exhibition on May 7, 2018, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Cardi B arrives for the 2019 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2019, in New York. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Actor Jared Leto arrives for the 2019 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2019, in New York. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Billy Porter attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" exhibition in New York on May 6, 2019. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Janelle Monae attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 6, 2019, in New York. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Lady Gaga attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" exhibition in New York on May 6, 2019. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Corey Gamble, Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian-West, Kanye West, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott arrive for the 2019 Met Gala celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2019 in New York City. (Karwai Tang/Getty Images)
rry Styles attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)
Tessa Thompson attends the 2019 Met Gala celebrating "Camp: Notes on Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2019 in New York City. (Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
Kim Kardashian attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Grimes attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Harris Reed, left, and Iman attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Billie Eilish attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Kendall Jenner attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Dan Levy attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Rihanna, left, and A$AP Rocky attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Emily Ratajkowski attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Gigi Hadid attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
In this combination photo, Kim Kardashian attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York.
Kim Kardashian wore Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress to the event on loan from Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!.
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Fredrik Robertsson attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Kylie Jenner attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Blake Lively attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Anna Wintour attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Alicia Keys attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Lil Nas X attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" exhibition on Monday, May 1, 2023, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Doja Cat attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" exhibition on Monday, May 1, 2023, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Michaela Coel attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" exhibition on Monday, May 1, 2023, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Elle Fanning attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" exhibition on Monday, May 1, 2023, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Brie Larson attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 6, 2024, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Quannah Chasinghorse attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 6, 2024, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Lana Del Rey attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 6, 2024, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Zendaya attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 6, 2024, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Nicole Kidman attends the 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024 in New York City. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Diana Ross attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Shakira attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Megan Thee Stallion attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Cynthia Erivo attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Cardi B, left and Halle Berry attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Ava DuVernay attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Maya Hawke attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Bad Bunny attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
This combination photo shows fashion worn by Colman Domingo, top row from left, Ayo Edebiri, Tracee Ellis Ross, Cole Escola, Walton Goggins, bottom row from left, Lewis Hamilton, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Teyana Taylor and Zendaya, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala on May 5, 2025, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)