Most Memorable Met Gala Moments Throughout The Years
Some of our favourite looks from fashion's biggest night out.
By Abraham Martinez
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Every year, the biggest names (and faces) in the world gather at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate and raise funds for its Costume Institute on the first Monday in May. Known informally as the Met Ball, the event also marks the opening of a new exhibit, each of which adheres to a specific theme. Designers invite their muses as dates, dressing them in custom creations. So in celebration of this year's exhibit—titled Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination—CR takes a look back at how fashion's biggest night has changed over the years.
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1
1982: Le Belle Époque
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Actress Raquel Welch paired elegant pearls with an edgy snakeskin-patterned gown, in addition to rocking a quintessentially '80s hairstyle.
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2
1985: Costumes of Royal India
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Designer Bob Mackie is the man responsible for some of Cher's most iconic looks. The two attended 1985's Met Gala in complementary sparkling ensembles.
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3
1995: Haute Couture
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Model Naomi Campbell was radiant in this shimmering custom Versace gown, which she attended with the late Gianni.
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4
1996: Christian Dior
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Princess Diana went down in Met Ball history when she wore this John Galliano navy blue slip dress with black lace details.
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5
1998: Cubism and Fashion
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Actor Alan Cumming went for a robot-meets-tin man look with the help of American designer Tommy Hilfiger.
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6
1999: Rock Style
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The late, great Whitney Houston channeled her inner rock n'roll goddess for 1999's Rock Style theme.
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7
2001: Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years
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2001 was a different time with regards to fashion. Case in point: this cotton candy swirl of a dress worn by Jessica Simpson.
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8
2003: Goddess: The Classical Mode
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They don't call it the party of the year for nothing. Here, Giselle Bündchen and Diddy share a candid moment on the dance floor. It was the model's first time attending the event, and clearly she had a great time.
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9
2004: Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century
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Supermodel Amber Valletta took 2004's theme to heart. Wearing a Maggie Norris Couture corset and a John Galliano skirt, she was the epitome of founding father chic.
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10
2005: The House of Chanel
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Rocker Marilyn Manson and burlesque star Dita Von Teese stayed true to their gothic aesthetics at the 2005 Costume Institute Met Gala.
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11
2006: AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion
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Sarah Jessica Parker is known for her impeccable Met Gala style (an ability to always stay on theme). In 2006, she ascended the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Alexander McQueen (his first time at the gala) in matching tartan frocks.
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12
2007: Poiret: King of Fashion
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Actress Lucy Liu's purple Zac Posen gown was the talk of 2007.
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13
2009: The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion
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Pop icon Madonna served relaxed glamour in a Louis Vuitton dress, fingerless gloves, and whimsical headpiece.
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14
2010: American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity
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JLo is no stranger to the Met Ball. For 2010's part of the year, she gave a delicate Zuhair Murad dress and a shameless smokey eye.
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15
2011: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
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Kloss was dripping in gold sequins courtesy of Christian Dior.
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16
2012: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations
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Carine kept things simple and chic in an-all black, wearing Givenchy Haute Couture.
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17
2013: Punk: Chaos to Couture
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Beyoncé was queen of the night in a dress by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy.
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18
2014: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
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Nicole Richie debuted lavender hair at 2014's Met Ball wearing in a silver backless Donna Karan gown.
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19
2015: China: Through the Looking Glass
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Rihanna completely changed the Met Gala game with this bright yellow Guo Pei couture gown. A fashion moment to put all others to shame.
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20
2017: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
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KKW's 2017 Met Gala look was a stark change of pace compared to those of the past. She kept things simple in a white Vivienne Westwood gown sans jewels.