It’s the first Monday of May and what would’ve marked the 150th anniversary of The Met Gala – a poignant star-studded event that not only celebrates art in all its glory but also its synchronicities with fashion and culture. It’s an event that is eagerly awaited by creative industry insiders from all over the world. The red carpet that leads to the Costume Institute exhibit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art plays just as influential a role as the exhibition itself, which is curated year after year by the first lady of fashion and Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, US, Anna Wintour herself, along with it’s thoroughly thought through themes, of course. This year, it was announced, “About Time: Fashion and Duration”, which was meant to be an ode to the timeline of women’s fashion for the past century and a half, including the icons that emerged through the time period – an apt theme for its milestone anniversary. However, considering the palpable impact of the pandemic, the opening night of the gala had to be cancelled indefinitely and the preview of the exhibition will be made digitally available instead. So, to reminisce this extraordinary evening, we thought we’ll round up the most memorable looks from the revolutionary red carpet of The Met Gala over the years. Here’s what they are…
Lady Gaga, 2019
Last year’s theme was “Camp: Notes on Fashion” and Gaga who was also the co-host of the evening followed suit with not one but four loud and proud looks by Brandon Maxwell.
Ezra Miller, 2019
Another star who interpreted last year’s theme to the T was Miller in his Burberry by Riccardo Tisci’s three-piece suit and a look that was inspired by the surrealism of artists like Dali and Magritte.
Rihanna, 2018
If the opening night of the gala was a contest, Rihanna would always win. How else do you explain her excellent interpretation of the theme “Heavenly bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”. She channeled the Pope in a Maison Mergiela by John Galliano ensemble.
Emma Watson, 2016
Exploring the nuances of futurism and fashion, Emma Watson gave the theme “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” its true meaning in her five-piece Calvin Klein Collection set made entirely out of recycled bottles.
Rihanna, 2015
Can she ever go wrong with her sartorial choices? This look made us wonder! Sporting a trailblazing (quite literally) ensemble by the talented Chinese designer Guo Pei, she aced the year’s theme “China: Through the Looking Glass” which was aimed at highlighting the influence of China on western fashion.
Blake Lively, 2014
This year’s theme ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ threw light on the American designer’s expertise in creating sleek and feminine forms. Lively captured James’s artistic tendencies the best in a Gucci Premiere ball gown.
Sarah Jessica Parker, 2013
It was the year 2013 and the theme was “Punk: Chaos to Couture” and who better to trust than SJP to get the memo right! She wore this standout Giles Deacon gown with the most OTT punk rock headgear we had ever witnessed.
Kim Kardashian West, 2013
Yes, this dress was Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, and yes, this wasn’t the most iconic looks in the true fashion sense but it was meme-orable nonetheless. The moment a heavily pregnant Kim K stepped on to the red carpet, comparisons with grandma’s couch and Mrs. Doubtfire crept in like wildfire – leave it up to her to break the internet.
Daphne Guiness, 2011
Commemorating the works of the legendary designer, Alexander Lee McQueen who tragically passed away in 2010, the theme was declared “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” and Guiness who was a dear friend of the designer wore one of his famous feathered dresses – what a statement.
Kate Blanchett, 2007
Paul Poiret’s legacy in fashion is often equated to that of Picasso in art. A master French couturier of the 20th Century, he was heavily inspired by Orientalism. It fully made sense then that Blanchett opted for this terrific tasseled number by Balenciaga in accordance with the year’s “Poiret: King of Fashion” theme.
Diana Ross, 2003
Ross was truly a musical goddess at the time and she looked every bit the part in this siren red Tom Ford ensemble, perfectly aligned with the “Goddess: The Classical Mode” theme of the year.
Salma Hayek, 1997
The fashion industry tragically lost its sweetheart, Gianni Versace this year and so the theme was inarguably decided after him. And Hayek, one of her many muses, personified everything that this legend stood for – sex appeal, unapologetic femininity and impeccable tailoring – in this cleverly cut-out Versace gown.
Naomi Campbell, 1995
In line with the year’s theme, “Haute Couture”, Campbell, one of the most coveted supermodels of the time best defined the finery of fashion in this dazzling Versace dress.
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