Total recall—the most iconic Met Gala looks of all time

The Met Gala is well known as “fashion’s biggest night” in popular culture, with thousands tuning in every year to marvel at the beautiful and intricate costumes worn by several A-listers. But, has the Met gala always been this grand and popular? Started by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert (who was also one of the minds behind the inception of New York fashion week), Lambert intended the gala to be a fundraiser for the newly founded costume institute. Tickets at the time for the midnight dinner went for 50 dollars. 

It was in 1971 that things took a fashinable turn with the former Vogue editor, Diana Vreeland deputed as a consultant to the metropolitan museum of art in 1971. In 1995, Met gala themes were introduced which became the most notable and distinguising feature of the night out. 

Every year since then, celebrities team up with brands to create breathtaking yet thought-provoking outfits. This year's theme is “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”. While we cannot wait to see what outfits A-listers come up with this time round, here are our picks for the most iconic looks in the history of the Met Gala.

Cher  

The queen of the 70s dazzled everyone at the Met in 1975 with her sheer gown covered in crystalline beading and wispy white feathers, designed by  Bob Mackie. Cher's Mackie dress was inspired by Hollywood costume designer Jean Louis, who also created Marilyn Monroe's seductive "Happy Birthday Mr. President" dress. 

Valerie Arnoff  

Arnoff wore a glamorous red dress designed by her husband Larry LeGaspi was also the mastermind behind rock band KISS’s famous unitard.  

Iman 

Iman stunned everyone at the Met gala in 1981 when she made her entrance in a beautiful chocolate brown dress with golden accents accessorized with eye-catching gold jewellery.

Diana Ross

Diana Ross showed up at the Met in a beautiful feathered gown. This off-shoulder piece was so iconic that she brought it out after decades to wear later at the 2014 American music awards. 
  
Christy Turlington

Turlington attended the 1992 Met Gala in an outfit inspired by Audrey Hepburn. The pearl choker and the retro hairdo definitely made her look the part.  

Naomi Campbell 

Campbell sparkled in her haute couture Versace dress at the 1995 Met Gala. The look was considered iconic for its sheer elegance. 

Salma Hayek

 
Hayek attended the 1997 gala in a black Versace dress. The geometric construction and the high slit made this look extremely memorable. 

Princess Diana

Princess Diana attended her first and only Met Gala in 1996. She wore a navy slip Dior dress with black lace details, she paired it up with her ever-famous pearl choker which she also wore with her ‘revenge dress’.

Amber Valletta

Model Amber Valletta stayed true to the theme ‘Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century’ with her couture Maggie Norris corset and John Galliano skirt. Her hairdo took everyone back to the French court during King Louis's reign.

Karolina Kurkova 

Kurkova attended the red carpet in a beautiful white gown by Viktor & Rolf. The ‘I love you’ etched in red on the dress made this outfit standout instantly. 

Heidi Klum

The model and actor looked breathtaking in a ruffled black and purple J. Mendel gown while attending the 2009 Met Gala. 

Rihanna 

The singer and entrepreneur came to the 2015 Met Gala in an extravagant yellow dress that took two years to make. Her designer Guo Pei garnered international fame for her fantastical creations after Riri graced the red carpet. The singer chose the designer to suit that year’s theme ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’.

Claire Danes  

Danes attended the gala in a gorgeous blue Zac Posen gown. This was a real life Cinderella moment as it lit up and made the already pretty dress even more memorable. 
 

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Nobody can make a trench coat look as glam and chic as Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The Ralph Lauren trench dress made quite a statement at her first Met gala.
 

Zendaya is armed and gorgeous 

Zendaya looked stunning in her Saint Joan of Arc inspired metallic gown. Her custom Versace gown was accessorised with an armored neck-and-shoulder piece, fine chainmail, and a punk-inspired spiked belt. This look became one of the most memorable looks of the 2018 Met gala which saw beautiful outfits all made to honor the theme of ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’.
 

Lady Gaga 

Nobody can forget when Lady Gaga had four outfit changes on the red carpet of 2019 Met gala. Her entrance was an intricate performance with her dramatic outfit changes and poses with several props like an umbrella. She collaborated with Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta for this masterpiece of an outfit. 

Kim Kardashian  

This social media star collaborated with Mugler on one of the most camp outfits possible. The nude dress and the crystal dew drop paired with her wet hairdo was an instant show-stopper. 

Beyonce Knowles 

Knowles looked absolutely stunning in a black Givenchy dress. The veil made her look even more eye-catching. This whole outfit was said to be inspired by legendary singer Diana Ross.
  
Billie Eilish 

The bad guy singer is very well known for her laidback style, so it came as a huge surprise for everyone when she wore a nude tulle dress with an expansive 15-foot train from Oscar de la Renta for the 2021 Met Gala. She said that she will only collaborate with Oscar de la Renta if they stop using fur and they did listen to her!

Blake Lively

Blake Lively was the 'moment' at 2022 Met Gala with her atelier Versace gown. She entered the red carpet with a rose gold gown reminiscent of the empire state building, which transformed into a blue train paying homage to the Statue of Liberty.