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The Best Met Gala Red Carpet Looks Of All Time: 90 Of The Most Iconic Met Gala Moments

From Princess Diana in Dior and Kate Moss in Marc Jacobs to Rihanna in Guo Pei and Beyoncé in Givenchy

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most iconic met gala looks of all time
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The most fashion-focussed, celebrity-filled and bejewelled night of the calendar is finally upon us, so in honour of the much-anticipated 2024 Met Gala we're kicking off proceedings with a look back through the archives.

Founded in 1948, the Met Gala has served us countless memorable red carpet moments over the years and some of the most talked-about outfits of all time. From Rihanna's yellow Guo Pei creation and Beyoncé's see-through Givenchy, to Lupita Nyong'o's green bedazzled Prada and Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen, these are the best Met Gala red carpet looks through the ages...

Elle Fanning at 2023's Met Gala

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For the 2023 theme of 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’ Elle Fanning wore a white Vivienne Westwood gown, complete with bouquet and black bolero.

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Doja Cat at 2023's Met Gala

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The rapper paid homage to the late Karl Lagerfeld's cat, Choupette, with her feline hood and cat prosthetics. Doja Cat refused to speak on the red carpet, and only mewed.

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Michaela Coel at 2023's Met Gala

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The former ELLE UK cover star stole the show in an embellished, custom-made Schiaparelli dress.

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Blake Lively at 2022's Met Gala

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For the 2022 theme of 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion', actor Blake Lively wore an Atelier Versace gown inspired by the Statue of Liberty and the process of oxidation it has undergone.

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Quannah Chasinghorse at 2022's Met Gala

best met gala red carpet looks of all time
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Native American model Chasinghorse wore an upcycled tulle blue gown by Prabal Gurung and custom indigenous jewellery designed by Lenise Omeasoo, a Blackfeet and Cree artist who runs Antelope Women Designs, to the 2022 Met Gala.

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Sarah Jessica Parker at 2022's Met Gala

best met gala red carpet looks of all time
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Sarah Jessica Parker went to Christopher John Rogers to work on their Elizabeth Hobbs-inspired gown. Hobbs was the official dressmaker of Mary Todd Lincoln, and the first Black female fashion designer in the White House.

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Billie Eilish at 2022's Met Gala

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The Oscar-winning singer wore a Regency-inspired and completely upcycled gown by Gucci, featuring a floral corsage and corset, to the 2022 Met Gala

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Kim Kardashian at 2022's Met Gala

best met gala red carpet looks of all time
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As an homage to one of the United States' most iconic stars, Kardashian chose a vintage Bob Mackie dress, once worn by Marilyn Monroe.

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Iman at 2021's Met Gala

best met gala looks of all time
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For the 2021 theme of 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion', model Iman wore a stunning gold look by designer of the moment Harris Reed.

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Kim Kardashian at 2021's Met Gala

best met gala looks of all time
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Kim Kardashian's 2021 Met Gala look will go down in the books as one of the most memorable ever. The star was completely obscured in a custom look by Balenciaga, accessorised only with a floor-length ponytail.

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Billie Eilish at 2021's Met Gala

best met gala looks of all time
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Eilish channeled Marilyn Monroe for the 2021 Met Gala, wearing a peach, 1950s style gown by Oscar De La Renta.

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Alexandria Ocasio Cortez at 2021's Met Gala

best met gala looks of all time
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Trust AOC to make one of the strongest style statements of the night, in a Brother Vellies off-the-shoulder gown that had 'Tax The Rich' emblazoned on the back in red.

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Grimes at 2021's Met Gala

best met gala looks of all time
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The 2021 Met Gala theme was 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion', and singer Grimes wore a futuristic gown by Iris van Herpen which took over 900 hours to make. Oh, plus a medieval sword from The Met's permanent collection, and a Dune-inspired metal mask, naturally.

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ASAP Rocky and Rihanna at 2021's Met Gala

best met gala looks of all time
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Rihanna and ASAP made their Met Gala red carpet debut together in co-ordinating oversized coat-inspired looks. Rihanna's glorious black coat-gown was by Balenciaga, while ASAP wore a custom quilt piece by ERL over a black tux.

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Cardi B at 2019's Met Gala

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For the 2019 theme of Camp: Notes on Fashion rapper Cardi B wore a Thom Browne gown.

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Lady Gaga at 2019's Met Gala

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For the 2019 theme of Camp: Notes on Fashion singer and actor Lady Gaga wore no less than four Brandon Maxwell looks.

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Kim Kardashian at 2019's Met Gala

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For the 2019 theme of Camp: Notes on Fashion make-up mogel Kim Kardashian wore a Thierry Mugler dress designed to look like she'd been caught in a rain shower.

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Zendaya at 2018's Met Gala

Best Met Gala Dresses Of All Time
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For the 2018 theme of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination Zendaya wore Atelier Versace - inspired by Joan of Arc.

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Rihanna at 2018's Met Gala

Best Met Gala Dresses Of All Time
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For the 2018 theme of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination Rihanna wore a papal-inspired Maison Margiela.

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Kim Kardashian at 2018's Met Gala

Best Met Gala Dresses Of All Time
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For the 2018 theme of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination Kim Kardashian wore Versace.

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