100+ Memorable Met Gala Looks That Lit Up the Red Carpet

Sarah Jessica Parker attended the 2006 Met Gala with the late Alexander McQueen. To honor the year's exhibition theme, "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion", the pair wore matching tartan prints.

Beyoncé attended the 2012 gala, wearing a jaw-dropping Givenchy gown. Descending up the staircase in her feathered, beaded Riccardo Tisci original, the global superstar was one of the last attendees to arrive-making a case for arriving fashionably late.

Model turned Actress, Diane Kruger bared her leg way before Angelina. The Operative star turned heads at the 2011 Met Gala wearing a nude embellished gown with a black thigh-high slit, from Jason Wu's Fall/Winter 11' collection.

For the 2009 Gala, "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion," Anne Hathaway was the picture of retro-chic in a plum-colored Marc Jacobs mini complete with a bouffant hairstyle.

Jessica Biel wore an asymmetrical-hem Versace dress at the 2009 gala. She accessorized the scarlet-colored gown with a simple pair of diamond drop earrings.

The 2012 Met exhibition and gala, celebrated the generational intersections between Schiaparelli and Prada. For the occasion, Gwyneth Paltrow wore a lilac-colored, asymmetrical halter Prada dress.

Echoing the 2008 exhibition, "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" , Naomi Watts wore a custom white pleated Mugler gown at the 2008 Met Gala - channeling Old Hollywood with a touch of Wonder Woman.

Jennifer Lopez donned a sparkly Zuhair Murad dress at the 2010 Met Gala.

Met Gala mainstay, Blake Lively wore a nude-colored Chanel Couture gown for the 2011 "Savage Beauty" red carpet.

2009's theme, "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion," was made for Kate Moss. The supermodel stole the show, showing up on the arm of Marc Jacobs in a metallic, toga-inspired original by the designer.

Taking power suiting to the max, Rihanna attended the 2009 gala, making the case for a strong-shoulder, wearing a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo.

Katie Holmes paired a sequined red-orange Giorgio Armani gown with a pair of bright lapis-blue pumps at the 2010 event.

Miranda Kerr showed off her enviable figure in a black Jil Sander dress with side cutouts in 2009.

Cate Blanchett wore a gold fringe column gown by (then) Balenciaga Creative director Nicolas Ghesquière to the 2007 Met gala iteration. Her dress fit the brief perfectly, paying homage to the man of the hour, 1920s design legend, Paul Poiret.

Actress Camilla Belle wore an ethereal Jean Paul Gaultier gown to the 2007 gala.

For the 2011 Met Gala, "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," Gisele Bündchen wore a striking ruby-red Alexander McQueen gown, in the late designer's honor.

Staying on theme, Carey Mulligan wore a custom sequin Prada dress for the 2012 "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations" exhibition.

Taylor Swift graced the red carpet in a sweet cream-colored gown by Ralph Lauren for the 2010 Met Gala.

Paying homage to the late designer, Salma Hayek wore a nude-colored chiffon Alexander McQueen dress to the 2011 Met Gala.

The Adam Project star wore a fire-engine-red Valentino gown for the Poiret themed exhibition in 2007.

Gwen Stefani donned a champagne-colored gown from her L.A.M.B. collection in 2010.

Sandra Bullock wore a stunning cranberry-colored dress by Alberta Ferretti in 2007.

The Love Hard star made wore a shimmering Donna Karen Atelier gown for the 2012 Met Gala.

For the 2012 gala, Karolina Kurkova hit the red carpet wearing a gold Rachel Zoe Couture gown, which she accessorized with a matching turban.

Zoe Saldaña went for a minimalistic look for the 2010 Met Gala, wearing a black one-shoulder Calvin Klein column gown.

Accompanying Vera Wang at the 2011 Gala, the songstress wore a custom grey organza gown by the designer.

With her husband David in tow, Victoria Beckham wore a white Giorgio Armani to the 2008 gala.

Michelle Williams demonstrated her usual laid-back elegance in a black Miu Miu dress, embroidered with golden birds at the 2011 Met Gala.

Rosario Dawson wore a sleek, silver J.Mendel gown at the 2006 gala.

Longtime Chanel ambassador Kristen Stewart wore a sheer black gown from the Spring/Summer 2008 Chanel couture show.

Attending as Michael Kors's date, the singer wore one of his designs, a black sweetheart gown with roses, to the 2005 gala.

At the 2010 "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" Met Gala, Nicole Richie made a statement wearing a metallic, gown by Marc Jacobs.

Christina Ricci wore a custom Thakoon dress at the 2012 gala. The gown featured a cream, exaggerated bow, paying homage to the surrealist aesthetic of Elsa Schiaparelli.

Doutzen Kroes, on the arm of Zac Posen, channeled full-on Hollywood glamour at the 2010 Gala, wearing a custom ice blue ball gown by the designer.

Scarlett Johansson walked the red carpet on the arms of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in 2008, wearing a nude bustier dress from the designers' collection.

Katy Perry literally lit up the red carpet in 2010, wearing an LED dress by CuteCircuit that changed colors throughout the night.

Heidi Klum looked gorgeous in 2009, wearing a black and purple J.Mendel gown on the red carpet.

Rachel Bilson kept things short and sweet in a tea-length Louis Vuitton frock in 2010.

Drew Barrymore wore a black low-cut lace dress at the 2006 gala.

Chloë Sevigny arrived at the 2010 Met Gala on the arms of Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. The actress wore a jade-colored peplum dress from their collection.

Kirsten Dunst wore a black Chanel Haute Couture dress with sequined florals for the 2011 Met Gala.

Actress Elizabeth Banks walked the red carpet at the 2010 Gala, wearing a dark, feathered Gucci dress.

The performer paid homage to Schiaparelli's signature color in a fuchsia gown at the 2012 gala.

Ashley Olsen wore a strapless Dior dress, with contrasting cream billowing sleeves at the 2011 Met Gala.

Cameron Diaz brought a bold pop of color to the 2007 Met Gala, wearing a fuchsia Dior dress with bright turquoise baubles.

Emma Watson wore a white Burberry gown with a thigh-high slit for the 2010 gala.

Eva Longoria wore a dramatic violet organza Marchesa gown to the 2008 gala.

Coco Rocha made a colorful splash on the red carpet in a watercolor-print Zac Posen mermaid gown in 2010.

Fergie attended the 2011 Met Gala in a fabulously ornate Marchesa gown.

As co-chair of the 2006 Met Gala, "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion," Sienna Miller celebrated British fashion by wearing a gold sequined Burberry mini and black tights, designed by then Creative Director Christopher Bailey.

Marion Cotillard was glittering at the 2010 Met Gala - wearing a sparkly silver Dior gown embellished with a diamond neckline.

Emma Stone wore a floral Lanvin column dress at the 2011 Met Gala.

For the 2010 Met Gala, the actress wore a cream, boat neck designed by her date, Stella McCartney.

No stranger to red-carpet glamour, Penelope Cruz donned a black ruched Oscar de la Renta gown to the 2011 gala.

Dakota Fanning wore a tulle dress with floral appliqué by Valentino for the 2011 soiree.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wore a pink Burberry gown in for the 2011, Savage Beauty exhibition/gala.

January Jones wore a striking, yellow sweetheart neckline column dress by Atelier Versace, at the 2012 gala.

As a date of Giambattista Valli, Adams wore who a white asymmetrical gown from the designers' 2012 Spring couture collection.

Established red-carpet queen Charlize Theron looked regal and elegant in a Dior gown and fur stole in 2004. (come back to)

Ginnifer Goodwin attended the 2011 gala wearing an emerald-hued Topshop gown with sleek cutouts.

Winona Ryder accompanied longtime friend Marc Jacobs to the 2007 event.

Anja Rubik wore a sultry, white Anthony Vaccarello original to the 2012 gala.

Partnering with Marc Jacobs, Madonna wore a custom blue Louis Vuitton bubble hemmed dress at the 2009 gala.

Natalie Portman attended the 2004 fete in a dark green, beaded Stella McCartney dress with a keyhole cut-out.

Model/actress Brooklyn Decker wore a hot-pink gown by Michael Kors in 2011.

Renée Zellweger wore an embellished Carolina Herrera gown with pockets in 2007.

Julia Roberts walked the red carpet with Giorgio Armani in 2008, wearing a metallic, cowl neck gown by the designer.

Supermodel Elle Macpherson was a vision in a chartreuse Calvin Klein gown at the 2005 gala.

Model Jessica Stam took to the red carpet in 2010, in a body-con, low-cut dress by Rachel Roy.

Kate Beckinsale shimmied into a charcoal-gray Marchesa gown at the 2009 event.

Florence Welch wore an ethereal tiered, beaded, Alexander McQueen dress at the 2012 gala.

Bar Refaeli rocked a short silver Roberto Cavalli dress to the 2009 Met Gala.

For 2011's "Savage Beauty," Iman wore a gold, sequin Stella McCartney jumpsuit on the red carpet.

Claire Danes was the picture of glamour in a metallic Burberry dress at the 2010 gala.

Kate Mara and Zac Posen were a colorful pair on the red carpet in 2008.

The designer took a break from her customary black, wearing a bold red vintage Givenchy Haute Couture
gown at the 2011 gala-in honor of Alexander McQueen.

The actress was in full bloom in Dolce & Gabbana at the 2010 Met Gala in honor of American fashion.

Selma Blair wore a white Chanel Haute Couture gown to the 2006 event.

Mila Kunis wore a moody tulle Vera Wang gown to the 2010 gala.

At 2013's "Punk: Chaos to Couture" Met Gala, the model wore a black studded Burberry dress.

Roberts wore a sleek, off-white asymmetrical Michael Kors dress at the 2011 Met Gala.

Washington wore a Vera Wang brocade gown with, peplum and leather opera gloves at the 2013 gala.

Models Angela Lindvall and Karlie Kloss walked the 2011 Met Gala red carpet together in gold metallic gowns - Angela wore Andrew Gn, while Karlie wore Christian Dior.

The event's co-host turned up in Givenchy Haute Couture (designed by fellow co-host Riccardo Tisci) at the 2013 Met Gala.

At the 2011 gala, the actress wore an altered feathered, ombré dress from the Spring 2011 Givenchy couture show.

The model wore a minimal, gold satin Ralph Lauren dress for the 2011 Met Gala.

Kate Bosworth wore this satin Prada dress to the 2007 gala.

The actress wore a shimmering, nude Donna Karan Atelier gown at her first Met Gala in 2011.

The Academy Award winner wore a radiant, one-shoulder Tom Ford gown, for 2003's "Goddess: The Classical Mode" gala theme.

Vergara wore a metallic, embellished Marchesa gown at the 2012 Met Gala.

The supermodel wore a voluminous, tulle Alberta Ferretti gown to the 2013.

King wore a custom, crimson Topshop dress to the 2012 gala.

The actress glowed in her hot pink Oscar de la Renta gown in 2010.

The actress donned a black and white gown, by now-defunct label Phi, for the Superheroes Met Gala.

Sims wore a delicate, tulle ruffle gown at the 2007 Met Gala.

The 'This Is Us' actress wore a maroon Proenza Schouler gown for 2004's "Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century" exhibition and accompanying gala.

The supermodel glided up the stairs, wearing a black Dolce & Gabbana gown, at the 2010 gala.

The model-activist wore an embroidered teal gown, at the 2007 gala.

For her 2013 Met Gala debut, Seyfried wore a silk-chiffon Givenchy Haute Couture gown, by Riccardo Tisci.

Suki Waterhouse wore a layered dusty pink Burberry gown at the 2014 gala.

SJP arrived at the 2014 Met Gala in a graphic black-and-white Oscar de la Renta gown that had a surprise reveal when she turned around: the designer's signature.

Blake Lively wore a dazzling Gucci gown at the 2014 Met Gala.

For 2014's "Charles James: Beyond Fashion," Emma Stone wore a pink, two-toned Thakoon dress.

Following the theme, "Charles James: Beyond Fashion," Mary-Kate wore vintage Gianfranco Ferré and Ashley wore vintage Chanel at the 2014 gala.

Beyoncé made jaws drop in this see-through embroidered Givenchy gown at the 2015 Met Gala.

Kim Kardashian showed up at the 2016 Met Gala wearing a custom Balmain dress and custom Lorraine Schwartz jewels, worth a cool $4.5 million.

For the 2016 theme "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology," Gigi Hadid wore a metallic Tommy Hilfiger dress.

Katy Perry wore a scarlet red Maison Margiela by John Galliano gown and red Tabi boots, to honor the 2017 theme, "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between".

At the 2017 Met Gala, Kendall wore a sheer La Perla Haute Couture dress with Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Rihanna stole the show wearing an eye-catching Comme des Garcons look at the 2017 Met Gala. She finished her look off with jewels by Rihanna x Chopard, Le Vian, and Dvani.

Lil Nas X attended the 2021 Met Gala wearing this custom Versace cape.

He later revealed this gold bodysuit underneath, also designed by Versace.

Normani wore this vibrant yellow Valentino dress with Lorraine Schwartz jewels at the 2021 Met Gala.

Rihanna attended the 2021 Met Gala wearing a Balenciaga Couture dress with a Tyler Ellis bag and jewels by Thelma West and Bulgari.

Kim Kardashian shocked everyone wearing this covered Balenciaga look at the 2021 Met Gala.

Storm Reid looked absolutley gorgeous at the 2021 Met Gala wearing a Prada dress.

Billie Eilish attended the 2021 Met Gala wearing a custom Oscar de la Renta gown and Cartier jewels.

Yara Shahidi channeled old Hollywood glam, wearing a custom Dior gown and Cartier jewels at the 2021 "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion."