The Most Iconic Met Gala Looks of All Time — See Photos
The annual Met Gala 2023 is upon us, and what better way to prepare than by revisiting some of the most iconic Met Gala looks in history?
Of course, our brains are already on overdrive in anticipation of how the new theme will be interpreted by those in attendance. There will be some who wear pieces that are over-the-top iconic, others who play it safe, and plenty who have the internet abuzz with theories about why they chose their look. (And don't forget—you can watch the 2023 Met Gala live stream and follow along with our Met Gala live updates.)
That said, you never know whether the impressions will last well past the season. Will this year be the year that another celebrity's look reaches icon status? Only time will tell.
As we wait to see, we’re celebrating with some of the most iconic Met Gala looks from the past — which happen to be some of our all-time favorites. From Rihanna and Beyoncé to Cher, Diana Ross, and Princess Diana, check them all out below.
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Quannah Chasinghorse, 2021
Quannah Chasinghorse wore a beautiful Prabal Gurung and Lenise Omeasoo beaded necklace for the American-themed gala.
Gown: Prabal Gurung
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Zoë Kravitz, 2021
Some criticized Zoë Kravitz for this sheer Saint Laurent gown, but though not precisely on theme, we loved it.
Gown: Saint Laurent
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Lil Nas X, 2021
Lil Nas X knows how to make an entrance; this Atelier Versace outfit came in three parts.
Full look: Atelier Versace
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Iman, 2021
We'll never forget how Iman stole the show in this stunning feather look.
Gown: Harris Reed
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Lizzo, 2022
The always-stunning Lizzo played a tune for the photogs in a Thom Browne ensemble that took 22,000 hours to create.
Full look: Thom Browne
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Vanessa Hudgens, 2022
Vanessa brought the sheer drama we all needed in 2022.
Gown: Jeremy Scott
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Blake Lively, 2022
Black Lively looked like the queen of the ball paying homage to New York City with a two-toned gown with images of the Empire State Building and Lady Liberty.
Full look: Versace
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Kim Kardashian, 2022
As one of the last looks of the evening, Kim surprised everyone with the vintage Marilyn Monroe dress – while the moment was controversial, the dress is iconic on its own.
Full look: vintage
Getty Images9/62Rihanna, 2017
Paying homage to the theme in a runway look from Comme des Garçons.
Full look: Comme des Garçons
Getty Images10/62Zendaya, 2017
Having fun with color as she does best in a truly regal red carpet moment.
Dress: Dolce & Gabbana
Rabbani and Solimene Photography11/62Zendaya and Law Roach, 2019
Zendaya and long-time stylist Law Roach took to the pink carpet to bring to life a full Cinderella fantasy, complete with smoke and light effects.
Dress: Tommy Hilfiger
Bag: Judith Leiber Couture
Kevin Tachman/MG1912/62Kylie and Kendall Jenner, 2019
Cinderella came and so did her wicked stepsisters. With these coordinating outfits, Kendall and Kylie etch their name into Met Gala history.
Kylie Jenner
Dress: Atelier Versace
Jewelry: Lorraine Schwartz
Kendall Jenner
Dress: Versace
Jewelry: Tiffany & Co.
Getty Images13/62Lady Gaga, 2016
No pants? No problem.
Full look: Atelier Versace
Getty Images14/62Beyoncé, 2015
Giving new meaning to the term “naked dress.”
Dress: Givenchy
Getty Images15/62Jennifer Lopez, 2015
Proving the barely-there gown is a theme. At least for those icons confident enough to pull it off…
Dress: Atelier Versace
Getty Images16/62Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, 2015
They might have been raised on the west coast, but MK and A really lean into the NYC lifestyle, showing off their stunning little black
dressesgowns.
Getty Images17/62David Bowie and Iman, 2003
I mean, have you ever seen a more glamorous couple?
Dress: Calvin Klein
Getty Images18/62Princess Diana, 1995
The OG slip dress, fit for a princess.
Dress: Dior
Getty Images19/62Diana Ross and Patrice Calmette, 1981
No one can pull off a dress completely made of feathers quite like this American icon — and she even pulled it back out of the archives for the 2012 American Music Awards!
Getty Images20/62Cher and Bob Mackie, 1974
The naked dress that started it all.
Dress: Bob Mackie
Evan Agostini21/62Linda Evangelista, 2004
Linda sported this coordinated look with model Amber Valetta.
Photo: Getty Images22/62Amber Valetta, 2004
Amber Valetta looked like royalty in this corset, skirt, and accompanying updo.
Corset: Maggie Norris Couture
Skirt: John Galliano
Photo: Getty Images23/62Sarah Jessica Parker, 2006
A pop of plaid provided this iconic Met Gala moment.
Full look: Alexander McQueen
Kevin Mazur24/62Katy Perry, 2010
In need of good selfie lighting? Take a cue from Katy Perry and bring your own glow.
Full look: Cute Circuit
Ron Galella, Ltd.25/62Naomi Campbell, 2005
There's never enough sparkle, even at the Met Gala.
Gown: Versace
Photo: Getty Images26/62Naomi Campbell, 1990
For her Met Gala debut, Naomi Campbell chose to wear some color.
Photo: Getty Images27/62Ashley Olsen, 2011
Ashley's puffy sleeves stole the show.
Full look: Dior
Larry Busacca28/62Mary-Kate Olsen, 2012
Another little black dress from Mary-Kate Olsen, but this dress was far more formal than your typical LBD.
Gown: The Row
Photo: Getty Images30/62Kim Kardashian, 2013
Kim Kardashian went with all floral everything for this 2013 Met Gala appearance.
Gown: Givenchy
Larry Busacca31/62Miley Cyrus, 2013
Miley Cyrus gave us punk rock chic for the 2013 Met Gala.
Full look: Marc Jacobs
Jamie McCarthy32/62Solange, 2015
Just another spectacular Met Gala appearance from Solange.
Dress: Giles
Larry Busacca33/62FKA Twigs, 2015
FKA Twigs proved that fashion truly is all about the details. Look very closely to catch the artwork that many missed.
Gown: Christopher Kane
Larry Busacca34/62Selena Gomez, 2015
Selena looked radiant in a white gown with a matching floral headpiece.
Gown: Vera Wang
Mike Coppola35/62Rihanna, 2015
Just another stunning Met Gala appearance from Rihanna.
Full look: Guo Pei
Dimitrios Kambouris36/62Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, 2014
Another Met Gala, another opportunity for Mary-Kate and Ashley to challenge the typical black dress norms.
Mary-Kate Olsen
Full look: Vintage Chanel
Ashley Olsen
Full look: Vintage Gianfranco Ferré
Larry Busacca37/62Brie Larson, 2014
Brie literally sparkled in this golden outfit.
Full look: Prade
Rose Hartman38/62Cher, 1985
Another memorable Met Gala moment from Cher.
George Pimentel39/62Erykah Badu, 2014
It was all about the accessories with this look. Erykah Badu matched her choice of hat to her jacket.
Full look: Givenchy
Photo: Getty Images40/62Bella Hadid, 2016
This was certainly no ordinary little black dress.
Full look: Alexander Wang
Kevin Mazur41/62Taylor Swift, 2016
Only punk rock Taylor can come to the phone right now.
Dress: Louis Vuitton
Larry Busacca42/62Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West, 2016
The couple that matches their silver together, slays the Met Gala red carpet together.
Full looks: Balmain
Mike Coppola43/62Solange, 2016
Solange stole the show with a bright yellow dress and artsy heels.
Dress: David LaPort
Karwai Tang44/62Willow Smith, 2016
An oversized jacket and high-waisted trousers completed this outfit from Willow Smith.
Full look: Chanel
Photo: Getty Images45/62Kate Moss, 2009
Kate coordinated everything in this look, including her choice of eyeshadow.
Dress: Marc Jacobs
ANGELA WEISS46/62Lady Gaga, 2019
In peak Lady Gaga fashion, the star broke the record for the most changes on the Met Gala red carpet in 2019.
Dresses: Brandon Maxwell
Jewelry: Tiffany & Co.
Sunglasses: Linda Farrow
Bag: Judith Leiber Couture
J. Kempin47/62Katy Perry, 2017
From her custom John Galliano–designed crimson wool coat to her headpiece, Katy looked like IRL art.
Full look: Maison Margiela Artisanal
Dia Dipasupil48/62Lena Waithe, 2018
Lena Waithe said she "felt like a gay goddess" in her Met Gala suit with accompanying pride flag cape.
Full look: Carolina Herrera
Neilson Barnard49/62Rihanna, 2018
Social media crowed Rihanna the new pope for her 2018 Met Gala outfit.
Gown: Maison Margiela
Dia Dipasupil50/62Solange, 2018
Fans helped Solange select this Met Gala outfit.
Dress: Iris van Herpen
Neilson Barnard51/62Zendaya, 2018
Zendaya put a glamorous, and glittering, spin on a coat of arms.
Full look: Atelier Versace
Dia Dipasupil52/62Cardi B, 2018
Cardi B proved that one can truly never have enough diamonds.
Full look: Moschino
Photo: Getty Images53/62Winnie Harlow, 2018
For her Met Gala debut, Winnie Harlow pulled out all the stops, wearing a billowing white gown with a matching headpiece.
Full look: Tommy Hilfiger
Karwai Tang54/62Ariana Grande, 2018
Classic art, but make it Met Gala fashion.
Full look: Vera Wang
Taylor Hill55/62Cara Delevingne, 2017
Along with rocking a metallic pantsuit, Cara Delevingne used her appearance at the Met Gala as the moment to debut her newly shaved head.
Pantsuit: Chanel
Taylor Hill56/62Lupita Nyong'o, 2016
One can never go wrong with green.
Gown: Calvin Klein
Venturelli58/62Selena Gomez, 2016
This pairing of combat boots and polka dots was fit for the Met's Futuristic theme.
Dress: Louis Vuitton
Kevin Mazur59/62Kendall Jenner, 2016
Bits of blue were scattered throughout this white gown.
Gown: Versace.
Larry Busacca60/62Zendaya, 2015
Zendaya brought her own sun to the Met Gala.
Dress: Fausto Puglisi
Kevin Mazur61/62Florence Welch, 2012
Florence Welch's tiered dress was made for twirling.
Dress: Alexander McQueen
Stephen Lovekin62/62Beyoncé, 2012
A train made of feathers?! Iconic.
Gown: Givenchy.
