In lieu of this year’s missing Met Gala, I thought it would be nice to reminisce over the Met Gala’s phenomenal fashion looks of women throughout the years. Here are 15 reminders of the Met Gala’s best looks yet:
1981
Iman
Theme: ‘The 18th Century Woman’
Accompanied by Calvin Klein himself, Iman swept across the red carpet dazzling everyone with her gorgeous red-brown lip, which was the perfect ‘cherry on the cake’ for her dress. She looked beautiful in a chocolate-brown, off-the-shoulder dress, accompanied with a gold-plated body chain. Ngl, I didn’t take any notice of Klein when I saw Iman…yeah! That really is him! I didn’t notice him either!
1990
Naomi Campbell
Theme: ‘Theatre de la Mode: The Survival of Couture’
Debuting her first ever Met Gala attendance, Campbell turned heads in a colourful and striking Versace mini dress. Her hair was combed into a simple yet magnificent straight bob, along with equally subtle yet beautiful black pumps, as her dress honed in on the luxury, abstract designs of Versace. It is safe to say that she replaced the classic ‘little black dress’ with this rich, majestic piece of art.
1992
Christy Turlington
Theme: ‘Fashion and History: A Dialogue Gala’
Turlington kindly gave us a glamorous throwback instantly hinting Audrey Hepburn vibes from her infamous Givenchy gown that she wore to her film, ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. From the figure-hugging form to the neatly wound bun, Turlington nailed the classy, vintage number cleverly expressing the element of fashion throughout history. Her elegant multi-layered, pearl-encrusted choker and crisp white shawl decorating her arms, finished off her seductive ensemble.
1997
Elizabeth Hurley:
Theme: ‘Gianni Versace’
Hurley stunned in a graceful lavender gown, with an unforgettable thigh-high split and sweetheart neckline. She coupled this with a cotton-white long coat with plush fluffy lining across the arms. All, of course, designed by Versace, a designer she respects immensely and has represented many times before. And tbh, we can see this relationship as he hit the absolute mark with her gown!
2004
Scarlett Johansson
Theme: ‘Dangerous Liasons: Fashion & Furniture within the 18th Century’
She effortlessly emulated a picture of decadence and sophistication as she subtly wowed in a daffodil-yellow, silk gown, custom-made by Calvin Klein. Coupled with gold, peep-toe heels and a matching gold mini purse, all eyes still remained fixated over the gown. Decadence and style were unmatched that day as Johansson stepped in with her glossy lips, and equally glossy gown.
2015
Beyoncé
Theme: ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’
Coined the ‘naked dress’, Beyoncé dazzled at the gala with her barely-there, bejewelled gown. The sheer pink, hand-crafted Givenchy dress completed with a high-neck, was tactically encrusted with colourful crystals in the shape of various flora, and the embellishment of pearls flowed into the train like a sparkly puddle. She sported the crystal dress with a pair of beige-pink wedges and a high ponytail. Now was it just me or did anyone want the train of their future wedding dress to be just as encrusted as her gown?
2015
Rihanna
Theme: ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’
Rihanna was hard to miss as she looked majestic in her royal yellow, fur-lined cape, richly adorned with “lots of gold thread” and dramatic flora. Giving her thanks to Guo Pei, luxury Chinese designer, she gushed that the “train was insane” and then bragged adoringly and appreciatively of how it took 2years to make her dress. She also admitted that it was very hard to walk in – not surprising, since it weighed an incredible 55pounds (25kg: which is basically half of my weight), and had a 16ft train. Rihanna showed her utmost dedication by literally paying homage to China and Chinese couture.
2016
Beyoncé
Theme: ‘ManusxMachina: Fashion in the Age of Technology’
Although Jay-Z’s cheating scandal fell around the time of the Met Gala, Beyoncé snatched away all the attention from it, when she arrived in a tight, latex dress celebrating all her curves and easily overpowering the echoes of the scandal. Hand-crafted by Givenchy, the peach-nude dress was decorated with mini pink flowers that were individually encrusted with pearls. Ngl, I am ‘crazy in love’ with the dress!!!
2016
Claire Danes
Theme: ‘ManusxMachina: Fashion in the Age of Technology
Danes illuminated the red carpet with her frost-blue ball gown, custom-made by Zac Posen. Whilst her dress emulated a marriage of simplicity and grace, it also incorporated technology. It was comprised of synthetic fibres generally made from silk and fibre optics, ensuring the celebration of the theme in style, and although it took 500hours to create, Posen coined it Danes’ “Galactic Cinderella” moment!
2017
Zendaya
Theme: ‘Rei Kawakubo & Comme des Garcons
Donning a Dolce & Gabbana Atta Moda ball gown, Zendaya entered the Met Gala bearing no qualms about her medical emergency the night before. The incredible dress was adorned with colourful parrots and various flora. It was coated in bright colours such as deep reds, glowing golds and metallic blues, helping Zendaya give a fiery appearance, whilst her natural elegance added a touch of class. The charming off-the-shoulder top with the sweetheart neckline accentuated her bold lips and voluminous Afro. Whilst she didn’t remain faithful to the classic theme that night, Zendaya still adhered to the luxury, decadence and legacy of Kawakubo’s fashion, in her own way.
2018:
Priyanka Chopra
Theme: ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imaginations’
Curated by Ralph Lauren, Chopra wowed in a rich burgundy dress decorated with a powerful bejewelled headdress. The magnificent crown took 250hours to create, and was made with real ruby Swarovski crystals and golden jewels. Her inspiration was “Madonna with a touch of Baroque”, and we can safely say she was the queen of fashion that night!
2018
Blake LivelyTheme: ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imaginations’
Lively proved that she was a fashion icon, off as well as on the screen as she stunned in a grand, artistic Versace gown. It, reportedly, took 600hours to make, but Versace ensured that Lively blended perfectly into the theme of ‘Heavenly Bodies’. Her dress was comprised of a beautiful, deep crimson structure woven with ruby and gold designs. Starting with multi-coloured jewels on a yellow-gold corset with a low back, her gown then flowed gracefully with golden patterns, and finished effortlessly into a beautifully laid out train. The highlight was the golden, spiked headpiece encircling her bun, reminding me of an angelic halo.
2018
Ariana Grande
Theme: ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imaginations’
Her dress was literally a piece of art, inspired by Michelangelo’s painting: The Last Judgement scene. Her custom-made Vera Wang gown was delicately embroidered with the image of the Sistine Chapel, which then meandered into a river of gentle pastel blues, greens and oranges. Grande then paired her epic dress with her iconic high ponytail and an equally epic creamy, lace bow. From the perfectly sculptured corset to the layers of the mesh dressing underneath the embroidery, Grande looked a ‘heavenly’ sight.
2018
Gigi Hadid
Theme: ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and Catholic Imaginations’
Picked out by Donatella Versace herself, Hadid looked breath-taking as she took to the red carpet donning a shard-like design on the dreamy midnight-blue number. She wore a single-shouldered dress comprised of fragmented shapes across the torso outlined by gold beading, leading into a midnight-blue, stained glass-like trail with a thigh split. Ngl, her divine aesthetic left me starry-eyed and envious!
2019
Zendaya
Theme: ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’
Similar to Claire Danes’ tech-infused innovation, Zendaya’s Cinderella-inspired ball gown was made by Tommy Hilfiger. With her hair tucked back into a neat bun, her mini carriage-purse and simple black choker, it is safe to say that her team did a great job choosing the accessories because nothing, no matter who tried, could disturb the attention she received from her dress. We were left spellbound as she impressed us with her illuminating aesthetic peeping through her puffy ball gown and corset. Simply magical!
That’s it! Those were my 15 best female Met Gala looks so far! I hope you guys enjoyed reading, and be ready for my next article which will pay homage to the best male Met Gala looks!
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