The Met Gala is undoubtedly fashion’s biggest event. So much so that in the cultural zeitgeist, similar fashion-forward events get dubbed as a “Met Gala”. It is where fashion, art, celebrity, and pop culture all intersect, highlighting designers and the who’s who of show business. And each look at the carpet is a statement of how fashion gets presented, performed, and consumed. It’s a case that dressmaking goes beyond aesthetics; its meaning lies within showmanship. And that’s thanks to each year’s theme of course. This year, these principles are even more on the nose with the “Fashion Is Art” dress code. Before we take a look at what Monday brings, we turn to the Met Galas of the past, their themes, and the modest looks that stood out for us. Not quite a history lesson, but a nostalgic walk through some of fashion’s best.
2025: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style
Last year’s theme was centred around Black dandyism, examining Black style over the years and how it shaped Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora. It is one of the few themes to focus exclusively on menswear, so naturally, menswear themes were highlighted on the gala’s blue carpet. Some of our favourite looks from this year were Zendaya and Anna Sawai accidentally twinning in crisp white suits. Zendaya was in a custom Louis Vuitton suit and Bulgari jewellery, inspired by Diana Ross and Bianca Jagger. Whereas Sawai wore a custom Dior suit with Cartier jewellery. While similar, the looks were worlds apart when it came to the little details. Zandaya’s was accented with silver buttons while Sawai’s was a reference to ‘70s era tailoring. Either way, they brought their own mood to the white monochromatic look, and it remains a memorable moment of the night.
Another impressive look was Teyana Taylor. In a red-and-black custom Marc Jacobs zoot suit, the singer rocked the theme with incredible presence. Going all out with the accessories, the look featured a durag layered under a red-feathered hat, red leather gloves, a red cape with heavy shoulders, a cane, giant floral appliques, and jewellery by David Yurman.
2024: The Garden of Time
Paired with the exhibition ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’, and a reference to JG Ballard’s short story of the same name, looks for this theme ventured towards nature and the fantastical. Florals were everywhere, and so were references to time. A standout look was Tyla, who referenced the latter for her Met Gala debut. Wearing a custom Balmain sand-textured dress, the singer represented the sands of time, going the extra mile with sand dusting on her arms and an hourglass for her purse. Whereas Harris Reed and Demi Moore went the floral route, creating a standout moment on the carpet. Both sporting custom Harris Reed looks, Moore’s black gown was in a heart-shaped sculpted fit, featuring pink and white peonies that were meticulously embroidered. While the look was another take on florals, Reed noted that this look represented a flower in “full bloom for just a moment before beginning to decay,” incorporating JG Ballard’s narrative as well.
2023: Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty
Paying homage to designer Karl Lagerfeld, this year’s theme really honed in on his looks, with outfits referencing his signature suit, his sunglasses and ponytail combo, his cat Choupette, and motifs from the houses he previously worked at. Karlie Kloss did the latter, wearing a floor-length black gown by Loewe and accessorising it with strings of pearls, a nod to Lagerfeld’s affinity for them during his time at Chanel. Naomi Campbell decided to wear Chanel directly, donning a SS10 couture pink gown with a saree-inspired silhouette. The piece is accented with silver sequins and silver arm cuffs, brightening up the look. And then there was Cardi B, who went on the nose with her outfit, paying tribute by wearing a suit that transitioned into a ball gown. Made by Chenpeng Studio, the white shirt collar and tie were an obvious reference to the designer’s standard look, while the sculptural rosettes adorning the skirt were a nod to Chanel’s camellia flower. Paired with opera gloves and pearl earrings, it was steeped in references, giving fans across the world a fun look to dissect.
2019: Camp: Notes on Fashion
Drawing from Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on ‘Camp’”, the exhibition and red carpet were centred around irony, satire, eccentricity, and kitschy fashion. Theatrics and performance were everything here and attendees came prepared. Katy Perry appeared as a chandelier, complete with lit candles, before changing into a cartoonish hamburger costume. Zendaya hit the nail on the head once again with an iridescent Cinderella-esque gown by Tommy Hilfiger and a pumpkin carriage clutch. Her stylist, Law Roach, accompanied her dressed as her “Fairy Godmother”. With a wand that let out wisps of smoke, the dress lit up in a quirky presentation. Other standout looks were Jared Leto, who carried his own head as an accessory, Cardi B, who appeared in a voluminous oxblood red custom Thom Browne gown, and Lady Gaga, who wore Brandon Maxwell, going over the top with four outfit changes!
2018: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
In collaboration with the Vatican, the 2018 exhibition spotlighted religious arts and dress, highlighting religious objects and artefacts from the Vatican. Guests this year took inspiration from the divine, either referencing prominent figures or motifs in Catholicism. Rihanna entered dressed as the Pope, while Katy Perry once again stole the show with enormous angel wings. One of our favourites was Sarah Jessica Parker, who appeared in a gilded Dolce & Gabbana gown with a train and embroidered red hearts. Completing her outfit was her headpiece, which depicted the nativity scene and an object you would probably find in most Catholic homes. As someone who constantly kills the theme, you can always count on Sarah Jessica Parker to drop a show-stopping Met Gala moment!
2016: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology
Exploring the duality between handmade haute couture and machine-made fashion, the red carpet blended futurism and technical aspects without looking too gimmicky. Emma Watson appeared in a Calvin Klein ensemble made from recycled plastic bottles. Whereas Queen Rania of Jordan stunned in a feathered monochrome Valentino dress. And another incredible look was Demi Lovato, who debuted on the Met Gala carpet in a silver sequined Moschino gown designed by Jeremy Scott. Featuring a thick gold trim and sections of black, the piece was glamorous with a hint of futurism.
