Iconic moments from the Met Gala (PC: Getty Images)
The Met Gala, which stands for Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, is an annual fundraising event that marks the inauguration of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibition. This takes place every year, and this year it is on Monday May 6th. Over the past decade, the Met Gala has become associated with avant-garde fashion, extravagant celebrity appearances and creative innovation.
The theme of the 2024 Met Gala is “Sleeping Beauty: Awakening Fashion.” The theme depicts designs so fragile that they can only be preserved in coffins and cannot even be displayed on museum mannequins.
The exhibition will address the evolution of human history and the endless cycle of creation and destruction, but it will also focus on sustainability and fashion. This is why “Le Jardin du Temps” is the theme of the dressing room.
As the 2024 Met Gala approaches, let’s take a trip down memory lane to revisit the themes that have shaped this iconic event over the past decade.
2023: Karl Lagerfeld: a beauty line
The theme of the 2023 Met Gala was a tribute to Karl Lagerfeld. The fashion designer’s exceptional contributions to Haute Couture were recognized by this event. Celebrities had a wide range of brands to choose from: Balmain, Chanel, Chloé ᅳ to name a few.
One of the many stars to grace the red carpet was Alia Bhatt. The Bollywood beauty looked stunning in her Prabal Gurung dress, but she wasn’t alone! Anne Hathaway wowed everyone with her tweed dress that showcased her incredible sense of style.
2022: In America: a fashion anthology
In 2022, the Met Gala was themed “In America: A Fashion Anthology” with the aim of showcasing how American fashion has evolved over time and its contribution to the fashion world. In doing so, he acknowledges anonymous tailors and dressmakers who worked tirelessly throughout history but were never mentioned anywhere other than in their works.
Bill Blass, Marguery Bolhagen, Brooks Brothers, Stephen Burrows, Fannie Criss Payne, Josephine H. Egan, Franziska Noll Gross, among others, are some names that have been documented.
A dress worn by Blake Lively at the event brought a lot of buzz to this year’s Gala. The Atelier Versace dress made on the theme of the city of New York attracted the most attention from spectators and photographers. Kim Kardashian West was also in attendance, wearing a beaded dress inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” outfit.
2021: In America: a fashion lexicon
With the theme In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, the Met Gala focused on American fashion in 2021. In order to show the breadth and depth of creativity present in the fashion industry, it was all about commemorating past designers as well as celebrating emerging American designers. .
Among the best dressed celebrities at the 2021 Met Gala were Imam, who wore a Dolce and Gabbana dress, and Billie Eilish, who wore an orange Oscar De La Renta dress and served up vintage vibes.
2019: Fashion Camp Notes
At the 2019 Met Gala, Susan Sontag’s definition of “camp” in fashion took center stage. Attendees adopted ostentatious theatrical looks, relishing the snark, luxury and kitsch in their costumes.
Stars such as Deepika Padukone graced the Met Gala, looking ravishing in a pink Zac Posen princess dress with three-dimensional outfits. Among the best-dressed celebrities at the 2019 Met Gala was Cara Delevingne, who looked stunning in a rainbow Dior ensemble.
2018: Heavenly bodies: fashion and Catholic imagination
The 2018 Met Gala theme, “Heavenly Bodies,” was one of the most controversial in history. It explores the relationship between religion and fashion, drawing inspiration from Catholic iconography. Celebrities adorned themselves in lavish clothing adorned with crosses, crowns and religious symbols, creating a visually arresting spectacle that sparked both admiration and debate.
Katy Perry’s look at the 2018 Met Gala has become very popular. She wore a golden mini dress with large wings attached, giving her the appearance of a real angel. Chadwick Boseman also made a memorable appearance at the Met Gala, wearing an all-white outfit adorned with gold crosses.
2017: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons
Renowned Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo gained recognition in 2017 for her avant-garde line Comme des Garçons, well known for its surreal designs and deconstructive style. The theme, which celebrated her bold approach to fashion, inspired guests to embrace avant-garde styles, abstraction and asymmetry.
Rihanna understood the mission and she wore a dress straight from the designer. Katy Perry followed suit, embracing the avant-garde vibe with an all-red Maison Margiela by John Galliano outfit instead of donning actual Comme des Garçons.
2016: Manus x Machina: fashion in the age of technology
The 2016 Met Gala saw the fusion of technology and fashion. The event focused on how artisanal haute couture and machine-made fashion are emerging together. Celebrities have blurred the lines between technology and craftsmanship by adopting futuristic silhouettes, metallic fabrics and creative textiles.
Claire Danes perfectly captured the subject of the Met Gala. Wearing a stunning sky blue dress by Zac Posen, her dress glowed in the dark. Taylor Swift also attracted attention with her silver metallic outfit.
2015: China: through the looking glass
In 2015, the Met Gala explored the influence of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion. The theme is inspired by traditional Chinese art, culture and cinema. The gala featured looks from brands like Chanel, Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior Haute Couture.
Rihanna mesmerized fans in a yellow Guo Pei dress, casting her charm at the Met Gala. Beyoncé was also one of the best dressed attendees in her see-through dress.
Rihanna mesmerized fans in a yellow Guo Pei dress, casting her charm at the Met Gala. Beyoncé was also one of the best dressed attendees in her see-through dress.
2014: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
The theme of the 2014 Met Gala centered on Charles James, an Anglo-American fashion designer known for his ballgowns and highly structured aesthetic. The Met event in 2014 featured 100 of his most influential designs.
Attendees like Taylor Swift and Sarah Jessica Parker paid homage to James’ elegant silhouettes and meticulous craftsmanship, with many opting for glamorous ballgowns reminiscent of his iconic designs.
Looking at the Met Gala themes of the past ten years, it’s clear that every celebrity and designer has shown just how creative and imaginative fashion can be. From celebrating celebrities to celebrating different cultures, the Met Gala gave A-list designers and celebrities the opportunity to think outside the box and have fun with their outfits.
As we prepare for the next Met Gala, one thing is certain: the Met Gala will continue to be exciting and inspiring. Every time they announce a new theme, we’ll be excited to see what amazing looks the celebrities and designers come up with. The Met Gala will always be a place where fashion shines brightly and shows its most glamorous side.
