Renegades and Drama Queens The 39 Best Met Gala Looks of All Time
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Nicole Kidman, 2003
Nicole was all about the bling in this stunning Gucci by Tom Ford one-shoulder gown and a set of blinding diamond statement earrings.
Theme: Goddess: The Classical Mode
Image: Getty
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Jennifer Garner, 2007
It was the truly epic train on Jennifer’s red Valentino Couture strapless gown that made this look memorable.
Theme: Poiret: King of Fashion
Image: Getty
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Iman, 2008
Iman stood out in 2008 by working this red satin Dolce & Gabbana gown featuring a jewel hip accent with the gusto only a supermodel can muster.
Theme: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
Image: Getty
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Eva Longoria, 2008
The layers of ruffles on Eva’s purple Marchesa gown gave it an impressive 3-D effect.
Theme: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
Image: Getty
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Marion Cotillard, 2010
Proof positive that when the Marion/Christian Dior partnership works, it really shines.
Theme: American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity
Image: Andres Otero/WENN.com
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Jennifer Lopez, 2010
Jennifer was the epitome of sheer glamour in a Zuhair Murad gown accented by some seriously smoky eyes.
Theme: American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity
Image: Andres Otero/WENN.com
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Taylor Swift, 2011
Props to Taylor for embracing the Savage Beauty theme and forgoing her usual sequin-clad dresses. Instead, gothic elegance reigned supreme in this J. Mendel gown with black lace overlay.
Theme: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
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Solange Knowles, 2011
Solange got graphic at the gala in a colorful geometric Dries Van Noten Fall 2011 gown.
Theme: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
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Jennifer Lopez, 2011
The floral topper on Jennifer’s fuchsia Gucci Fall 2011 gown made her one of the night’s standouts. Of course, nearly $500,000 of H.Stern diamonds probably didn’t hurt, either.
Theme: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
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Salma Hayek, 2011
Salma's peachy organza Alexander McQueen gown was perfectly styled with Gucci gems and an Alexander McQueen clutch.
Theme: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
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Karolina Kurkova, 2012
Karolina shut down the gala the second she hit the scene in Rachel Zoe’s glittering rose gold long-sleeve gown and matching turban.
Theme: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
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Beyoncé, 2012
While there was a lot of focus on the sheerness of Beyoncé’s Givenchy Couture embellished gown, it was that ombre feathered skirt that really demanded attention.
Theme: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
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Nina Dobrev, 2012
Nina was a metallic marvel in an eye-catching Donna Karan Atelier gown featuring an expansive train.
Theme: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
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Carey Mulligan, 2012
The future never looked so good. Carey’s custom gold and silver Prada dress was definitely fashion-forward, while her teased updo projected a 60s vibe.
Theme: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
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Amber Heard, 2013
OK, so it wasn’t “punk,” but Amber’s red Emilio Pucci lacy gown with beaded embroidery deserves some recognition.
Theme: PUNK: Chaos to Couture
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
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Sarah Jessica Parker, 2013
Leave it to SJP to go over-the-top. We love how the actress went all out in this patterned Giles gown, plaid boots and a Philip Treacy headpiece that people are still talking about.
Theme: PUNK: Chaos to Couture
Image: Andres Otero/WENN.com
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Uma Thurman, 2013
Another attendee who eschewed the punk theme, though we can’t fault Uma for selecting this exquisite Zac Posen chartreuse gown.
Theme: PUNK: Chaos to Couture
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
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Naomie Harris, 2013
Naomie’s purple Donna Karan Atelier gown had a dark side thanks to its layered feathered train.
Theme: PUNK: Chaos to Couture
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
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Emmy Rossum, 2013
Of all the guests at the 2013 Met Gala, Emmy probably surprised us the most by taking a turn at going punk. Sure, it was punk lite, but that faux-hawk and those dramatic smoky cat eyes upped the edge factor of her Donna Karan Atelier gown.
Theme: PUNK: Chaos to Couture
Image: Andres Otero/WENN.com
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Cameron Diaz, 2013
Cameron was electric in a deep blue Stella McCartney cape gown accented by a spiked belt.
Theme: PUNK: Chaos to Couture
Image: Andres Otero/WENN.com
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Karolina Kurkova, 2014
Although this voluminous Marchesa Spring 2011 teal floral print gown may have overwhelmed most, Karolina worked the tiered masterpiece with great aplomb.
Theme: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
Image: Andres Otero/WENN.com
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Sarah Jessica Parker, 2014
Doing a complete 180 from the previous year, the star glammed up in a grand Oscar de la Renta gown that looked just as good from the back as the front.
Theme: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
Image: Rob Rich/WENN.com
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Blake Lively, 2014
Blake’s Gucci Première gown offered straightforward elegance with an Old Hollywood twist.
Theme: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
Image: Andres Otero/WENN.com
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Liu Wen, 2014
Liu made a statement in a green Zac Posen ballgown with a supremely structured skirt fit for a queen.
Theme: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
Image: Getty
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Charlize Theron, 2014
Charlize showed her stripes in a Christian Dior Couture strapless gown wrapped up by a draped black tuxedo jacket.
Theme: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
Image: Andres Otero/WENN.com
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Erykah Badu, 2014
Comparisons between the chanteuse’s extended hat and Pharrell Williams’ iconic Vivienne Westwood topper are inevitable, but Erykah’s custom Givenchy Couture ensemble was in a league all its own.
Theme: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
Image: Getty
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Rihanna, 2015
The train on Rihanna’s Guo Pei creation was truly epic.
Theme: China: Through The Looking Glass
Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
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Jennifer Lopez, 2015
This fiery Versace number featured strategic embellishments.
Theme: China: Through The Looking Glass
Image: Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic/Getty Images
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Zoe Saldana, 2016
It was the peacock-inspired skirt on Zoe’s grand Dolce & Gabbana ballgown that made an impression.
Theme: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology
Image: Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images
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Claire Danes, 2016
Claire’s Cinderella-worthy Zac Posen gown came complete with LED lights.
Theme: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology
Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
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Rihanna, 2017
Rihanna embodied this year’s theme decked out in a multidimensional Comme des Garçons creation.
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
Image: Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
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Rihanna, 2018
Her Holiness rocked a Maison Margiela getup and Cartier jewelry.
Theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
Image: Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
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Katy Perry, 2018
The wings on Katy’s custom Atelier Versace outfit were so massive, she had to ride standing up in a convertible to get to the gala.
Theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
Image: Karwai Tang/Karwai Tang/Getty Images
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Zendaya, 2018
Zendaya’s Atelier Versace ensemble was Joan of Arc chic.
Theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
Image: Mike Coppola/MG18/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
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Lady Gaga, 2019
Lady Gaga’s Brandon Maxwell-filled performance earned her a spot in Met Gala history.
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion
Image: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
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Janelle Monáe, 2019
Janelle’s surreal Christian Siriano look was pretty eye-catching.
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion
Image: Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic/Getty Images
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Billy Porter, 2019
While Billy’s grand entrance was something to behold, this look by The Blonds took center stage.
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion
Image: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
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Billie Eilish, 2021
The singer had a princess moment in Oscar de la Renta.
Theme: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion
Image: John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images
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Amanda Gorman, 2021
Amanda Gorman’s custom Vera Wang dress was simply stellar.
Theme: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion
Image: John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images
