Best Met Gala Looks: 37 Incredible Fashion Moments in the Ball’s History
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Cher in custom Bob Mackie at the Met Ball, 1974
The one-named wonder wore a custom creation by Bob Mackie for the second official gala in 1974. Her hair was sleek, her makeup was strong, but the drama was all in the dress. The sheer fabric, adorned with rhinestones and feathers, was pure perfection. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Marisa Berenson in a sequin tunic and pants, 1974
Seventies chic was the only way to go when it came to the 1974 exhibition which was dedicated to “Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design.” (Photo: Getty Images)
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Tina Chow and husband Michael Chow, 1980
Tina Chow was the muse to the darlings of New York City, from Warhol to illustrator Antonio Lopez to Calvin Klein. Standing out where ever she went, that year’s Met Gala was no different. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Diana Vreeland in a black polka dot skirt, 1981
There would be no gala for the Costume Institute without the doyenne of fashion. In addition, this woman did not go home early, she stayed out and partied with the kids! (Photo: Getty Images)
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Anna Wintour in a short silk dress with fur coat, 1994
Back in the ’90s, the Vogue editrix opted for a short, silky lingerie-inspired dress with an oversize fur coat (her version of grunge perhaps?). She’s worn a long gown to the gala ever since. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Kate Moss, Calvin Klein, and Christy Turlington, 1995
At the height of her Calvin Klein fame, Moss wore a simple mellow yellow Calvin Klein dress, a fresh dewy face that looked like she had on no makeup, her hair down, and no jewelry. She managed to outshine everyone else. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Princess Diana in a blue Galliano for Dior gown, 1996
Princess Diana in a blue Galliano for Dior gown and looking every bit the glamorous fashion icon she went on to be! (Photo: Getty Images)
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Amber Valetta in a gold Versace jumpsuit, 1999
Miss Valetta in a gold Versace jumpsuit looked more like a rock star than a model while attending the “Gianni Versace” exhibit that year. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Stella Tennant wears Yohji Yamamoto, 2003
Stella Tennant looked like a goddess in a flowing dress which was paired with a Yohji Yamamoto jacket. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Scarlett Johansson in Calvin Klein, 2004
The actress brought the glamour (and her famous curves) in a silky Calvin Klein creation circa 2004. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Ashley Olsen in custom Badgley Mischka, 2006
The actress and budding mogul brought her own brand of sexiness to a covered up look by Badgley Mischka. It was très elegant and chic beyond compare. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Sarah Jessica Parker with Alexander McQueen, 2006
For the “Anglomania” exhibit, Sarah Jessica Parker wore Alexander McQueen and arrived with the designer as her date. The dress itself was sheer perfection, but the tartan twist was what made the look so special. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Cate Blanchett in a gold fringe Balenciaga dress, 2007
At the “Paul Poiret” exhibit in 2007, Cate Blanchett wore a gold fringe Balenciaga column dress that was the definition of golden goddess. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Jennifer Connelly in Balenciaga, 2007
This sleek and sophisticated black-and-white look was definitely one of the standouts from that year. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Kate Bosworth in Prada, 2007
The actress was stunning not only because of the intricate way that the hem of the dress was folded, but also her hair and makeup were both subtle yet glamorous. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Shalom Harlow in Nina Ricci, 2009
The supermodel proved her courageousness in a voluminous dress that was designed by Nina Ricci’s then creative director Olivier Theyskens. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Kate Moss in custom Marc Jacobs, 2009
For the “Model as Muse” exhibition, Kate Moss kicked things off with a bang in a custom metallic Marc Jacobs dress with attached train. She wore a matching turban that was adorned with Harry Winston diamonds. Game over! (Photo: Getty Images)
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Zoe Saldana in Michael Kors, 2010
The actress was so sleek and elegant in a one-shoulder gown by Michael Kors. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein, 2010
The actress looked timeless in a minimalist white column by Calvin Klein. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Taylor Swift in Ralph Lauren, 2010
Taylor Swift in a off-the-shoulder white Ralph Lauren gown. Does it get more American than this? (Photo: Getty Images)
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Blake Lively in Marchesa, 2010
This Marchesa dress put Blake Lively on the fashion radar. It was bold and fun, and showed off the actress’s youthful spirit. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Ashley Olsen in vintage Christian Dior, 2011
The designer stole the red carpet at the opening of “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty.” Only an Olsen could get away with such voluminous sleeves and make it look elegant. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Naomi Watts in Stella McCartney, 2012
Naomi Watts’s scarlet-colored Stella McCartney gown was so pretty against her pale complexion. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren, 2012
The actress looked sultry and sexy in a V-cut silver lamé gown. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Kate Bosworth in Prada, 2012
For the Met Gala dedicated to “Prada: Impossible Conversations,” Kate Bosworth stood out in a flirty halter dress by the designer. The dark lip and top knot added some drama to the look. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Lauren Santo Domingo in custom Oscar de la Renta, 2012
The society fixture wore an elegant but dramatic uptown look that was a custom creation by Oscar de la Renta. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Gisele Bundchen in Anthony Vaccarello with Tom Brady, 2013
Tom Brady in a blue tuxedo jacket with Gisele Bundchen in Anthony Vaccarello scored a touchdown in their edgy and elegant looks. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Karen Elson in Alexander McQueen, 2013
The model’s red hair and gold Alexander McQueen frock were the perfect combination against her porcelain skin. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Rooney Mara in Givenchy, 2013
The gorgeous white dress with dark lip was perfect for the actress who was co-hosting the “Punk: Chaos as Couture” exhibition opening that year. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Rihanna in Stella McCartney, 2014
What’s a best dressed slideshow without Rihanna? Here, the singer shows off her enviable abs in a white crop top with matching skirt by Stella McCartney. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Giovanna Battaglia in Dolce & Gabbana, 2014
For the “Charles James” exhibit in 2014, stylist Giovanna Battaglia wore Dolce & Gabbana and embodied a modern-day Marie Antoinette. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Ashley Olsen in vintage Chanel and Mary-Kate Olsen in vintage Gianfranco Ferre, 2014
The Olsen twins were sensational in their voluminous vintage gowns. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Anne Hathaway in Ralph Lauren, 2015
For 2015′s “China: Through the Looking Glass,” Anne Hathaway teamed up with Ralph Lauren for a Jedi-like gold dress. “I thought there was a lot you could do [with the theme] so I decided to find a contemporary Chinese artist that I loved and try to interpret [it],” she said. In the end, a gold Buddha wearing a hoodie statue by Huang Yulong served as inspiration. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Rihanna in Guo Pei, 2015
If the Met Gala crowned a winner, Rihanna would been the leader by a long-shot. The singer, who also performed at the event, wore a yellow cape dress with a massive train from Chinese designer Guo Pei. The piece took two years to make by hand. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Zendaya in Fausto Puglisi, 2015
Making her Met Gala debut, the star wore an outfit to remember: a red mullet skirt with a gold crown. A look fit for a young queen! (Photo: Getty Images)
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Claire Danes in Zac Posen, 2016
Clarie Danes looked like a modern-day Cinderella in a Zac Posen glow in the dark dress for the Met Gala in 2016. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Katy Perry in Prada, 2016
Katy Perry stunned in an embellished Prada gown for the 2016 Met Gala. Paired with a black wig she gave off major Elvira vibes. (Photo: Getty Images)
The annual Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the fashion industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, Grammy’s, CFDAs, and Tony Awards all rolled into one. It’s the golden ticket for every designer, model, musician, and celebrity. The extravaganza is set to take place on Monday in NYC. In honor of the occasion, we take a look back at the best red carpet moments over the past 40-plus years.
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