The Most Outrageous Met Gala Looks Of All Time
Who will dominate this year's red carpet runway?
Perhaps the most famous charity event of all time, this annual fashion bonanza is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City every spring - and is one of the most highly-anticipated celebrity events of the year. Consequently, the event is also one of the most expensive and exclusive fundraisers in the world, attracting some of the biggest names in fashion. Tickets purchased by designers and brands tend to raise millions for the Costume Institute at the Met, which holds an annual exhibition accompanying the ball. Tickets cost around $35,000 each, with tables ranging from $200,000 to $300,000.
In previous years, we've seen themes like In America: An Anthology of Fashion, Camp: Notes on Fashion, and Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, as well as tributes to specific designers, like Alexander McQueen and Rei Kawakubo. Ahead, everything you need to know about this year's extravagant event.
Related article: The Best Hair And Makeup Looks From The 2021 Met Gala
When Is The 2023 Met Gala?
The first Monday in May falls on 1 May this year. For the uninitiated, Met Galas have historically been held on the first Monday of May, except in 2021 when it was moved to September due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Is The 2023 Met Gala Theme?
The 2023 Met Gala will honour Karl Lagerfeld, the legendary designer most closely associated with his tenure as the creative director of Chanel. Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton explained that the exhibition won't just be a retrospective, but will also pay tribute to his work in an innovative way, with a fresh, modern perspective. Guests will also get to choose from a collection of Lagerfeld's creations and vintage pieces from some of the houses he designed for, ranging from Chloé to Fendi.
Who Is Hosting The 2023 Met Gala?
Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer and Dua Lipa have all been confirmed as co-chairs.
Who Is Attending The 2023 Met Gala?
Guest lists remain secret until the night before the event. The event is regularly attended by some of the biggest names in the fashion and entertainment industries, including the likes of Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Rihanna. In many cases, designers bring along their muses as well.
So without further ado, let's relive the most outrageous Met Gala outfits of all time as we get ready to see what wild looks this year's event will bring.
Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion - 2022
Wearing: Custom-made Gucci ivory and duchesse stain corseted gown, with green lace underlay sleeves and an ivory bustle skirt.
Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion - 2022
Wearing: Black sheer-netted crop top with a full black skirt by Prada.
Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion - 2022
Wearing: Black gown and oversized coat designed by Thom Browne.
Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion - 2022
Wearing: Lilac metal-mesh Versace dress.
Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion - 2022
Wearing: Versace leather catsuit and corset.
Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion - 2022
Wearing: Atelier Versace gown inspired by New York City. At first, the dress is a shimmering rose-gold dress with an extravagant bow. Afterwards, the bow unravels to transform into a cascading blue train.
Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion - 2022
Wearing: Gold embellished gown from Versace.
Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion - 2022
Wearing: Vintage Jean Louis 'naked' dress, which was previously worn by Marilyn Monroe.
Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion - 2022
Wearing: Red tailored jacket and pants from Dior Haute Couture.
Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion - 2022
Wearing: Voluminous ivory ball gown which featured a ruffled skirt and a sheer corset bodice from Off-White.
Related article: Met Gala Attendees Weren’t Afraid To Get Political This Year
Theme: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion - 2021
Wearing: Larger-than-life gown and a simple black beanie by Balenciaga.
Theme: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion - 2021
Wearing: Striking gown custom-made using 3D techniques from designer Iris Van Herpen.
Theme: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion - 2021
Wearing: Custom-made brocade bustier and trousers paired with a tiered, gilded feather cage overskirt and bespoke matching headpiece by Dolce & Gabbana and designer Harris Reed.
Theme: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion - 2021
Wearing: Custom-made Christian Siriano gown.
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion - 2019
Wearing: High-low white gown trailed by a floor-sweeping train, with a ruffled coat from Italian designer Giambattista Valli and Cartier.
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion - 2019
Wearing: Bubblegum-pink dress with a dramatic train from designer Prabal Gurung.
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion - 2019
Wearing: Silky red high-neck gown complete with shoulder pads and a jewel-encrusted body-chain by Gucci.
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion - 2019
Wearing: Bright orange showgirl look covered in feathers, by Versace.
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion - 2019
Wearing: Golden catsuit with massive, glittery wings, along with a gold headpiece and matching boots by The Blonds.
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion - 2019
Wearing: Custom-made Thierry Mugler dress with a waist-cinching corset.
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion - 2019
Wearing: Zendaya is wearing a custom-made light-up gown while Law Roach is wearing a black and blue corseted ballgown with white puffy sleeves and a full A-line skirt by Tommy Hilfiger.
Theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination - 2018
Wearing: Red gown by Valentino Haute Couture.
Theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination - 2018
Wearing: Custom-made gown by Vera Wang.
Theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination - 2018
Wearing: Custom-made Balmain dress with a gem-encrusted piece and a black ostrich-feather train.
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between - 2017
Wearing: Dolce&Gabbana Alta Moda ball gown covered in a tropical parrot print.
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between - 2017
Wearing: Priyanka Chopra is wearing a trench coat dress while Nick Jonas is wearing a black-and-white art deco jacquard tuxedo jacket with black tuxedo pants by Ralph Lauren.
Related article: The Best Celebrity Couples on the 2019 Met Gala Red Carpet
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between - 2017
Wearing: Gold gown with blue feathers, by Atelier Versace.
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between - 2017
Wearing: Custom-made John Galliano chiffon gown covered in sparkling embellishments with a crimson wool coat.
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between - 2017
Wearing: Camouflage dress by Moschino.
Theme: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology - 2016
Wearing: Custom-made Givenchy latex dress.
Theme: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology - 2016
Wearing: Black and gold Prada gown with elbow-length gloves.
Theme: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology - 2016
Wearing: Bronze one-shoulder Michael Kors gown with golden Jorge Adeler rings and a mushroom-cut wig.
Theme: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology - 2016
Wearing: Custom-made Louis Vuitton dress.
Theme: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology - 2016
Wearing: Sheer black Givenchy gown paired with knee-high boots and a jewelled headpiece.
Theme: China: Through the Looking Glass - 2015
Wearing: Custom-made gold lamé cap-sleeve column evening dress by Ralph Lauren.
Theme: China: Through the Looking Glass - 2015
Wearing: Yellow gown designed by Chinese designer Guo Pei.
Theme: China: Through the Looking Glass - 2015
Wearing: Ashley Olsen is wearing a delicate chiffon dress with tiered ruffles, a plunging neckline and a dramatic train while Mary Kate Olsen is wearing a vintage robe-inspired gown by Christian Dior.
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Theme: China: Through the Looking Glass - 2015
Wearing: White form-fitting Vera Wang gown.