All The Glamorous Throwback Photos From The Met Gala
A look back at what fashion's biggest night looked like before social media
We all know what the Met Gala looks like today, but what did fashion’s biggest night look like before the days of social media and endless red carpet photo ops? For decades, the event has given us some of the most glamorous and talked-about fashion moments of all time.
Ahead of this year’s Met Gala dedicated to the legacy of Chanel‘s late creative director Karl Lagerfeld, we’re taking a look back at some of the most glamorous vintage moments from the Met Gala of years past. From Jacqueline Kennedy to Cher and Princess Diana, these stars attended the annual Costume Institute Gala before you ever knew what it was.
Halston brought Baby Jane Holzer (who wore a plush white fur coat) to the gala in 1973.
In what remains one of the most memorable Met Gala gowns of all time, Cher wore her infamous naked dress designed by Bob Mackie to the 1974 event. She attended with Mackie and best friend Paulette Betts, who wore a black and white one-shouldered gown for the occasion. The theme for this year's exhibit was "Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design."
Barbara Walters attended the annual event throughout the '70s and '80s. Here, she wore a sparkling one-shouldered gown and diamond earrings for the occasion.
Debbie Harry and a guest having a smoke and drink inside the "Fashions of The Hapsburg Era" themed event.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis first attended the gala in 1979, wearing a black strapless gown and ruffled wrap. The theme of the Costume Exhibit was "Fashions of the Habsburg Era: Austria-Hungary."
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Carolina Herrera and Jacqueline de Ribes in glamorous evening gowns at the 1979 event.
Ali MacGraw wore a sparkling dress while attending alongside boyfriend Peter Weller in 1979.
Diana Vreeland and Yves Saint Laurent hold hands while inside the 1981 Costume Institute event.
The theme was "The Eighteenth Century Woman" and Bianca Jagger stunned in a strapless hoop skirt ballgown.
Calvin Klein and Iman attended the 1981 Met Gala together, posing together for photos inside the event. Iman stunned in a sparkling gold look complete with a body chain and oversized hoop earrings.
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Diana Ross brought her signature glamour to the gala in 1981, wearing a ruffled tulle gown.
Bob Mackie once again brought Cher as his date to the event in 1985. The theme was "Costumes of Royal India" and the singer donned a sheer sparkling gown for the occasion.
Linda Carter and Blaine Trump share a laugh in their evening gowns while inside the event.
Attending her first Met Gala, Naomi Campbell stunned in a colorful couture mini dress.
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For the "Fashion and History: A Dialogue" theme, Christy Turlington opted for a black evening gown and pearl choker.
Joan Rivers, who attended the event throughout the '90s, donned a black halter gown to the 1994 gala.
Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, and Kate Moss had a supermodel moment together at the haute couture-themed Met Gala in 1995.
Donatella and Gianni Versace showed up to the Costume Institute Gala in matching leather looks.
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Princess Diana brought a little royalty to the fashion event in 1996, wearing a silky slip dress accessorized with a pearl and sapphire choker.
Donatella Versace and Iman having a moment in their sparkling dresses at the 1997 gala, which paid homage to Gianni Versace.
Madonna, Donatella Versace, and Cher pose for a photo op inside the Costume Exhibit.
Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley having a glam couples moment on the red carpet together.
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Looking like high fashion royalty, Iman arrived to the '97 gala in a tiara and gold lamé coat complete with feather trim.
It was Jennifer Lopez and Diddy's only Met Gala appearance together as a couple and they made it count in these chic monochromatic looks.
The theme was "Rock Style" and Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney did not disappoint in their matching outfits.
Whitney Houston hit the red carpet in a bedazzled look for the "Rock Style" theme.
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.