Many stars have made their mark on the Met Gala stairs by slaying in jaw-dropping designs, but fashion icons are made, not born.
At the annual fashion event, celebs have shown off some of their most daring looks, created by top designers. And over the years, repeat guests have grown even bolder with their fashion choices. Years before Rihanna spurred omelet memes with her now-iconic massive yellow dress-robe and a Pope-like outfit at recent Met Galas, she walked the famous red carpet in a romantic white bejeweled dress.
Other stars who have showcased eclectic styles at the Met Gala include Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, Naomi Campbell, Sarah Jessica Parker and Taylor Swift, and in recent years, fan-favorite reality stars and influencers such as Kylie Jenner and YouTuber Lilly Singh have joined the actors, models and musicians on the red carpet.
Like Rihanna, Kylie's first Met Gala look was relatively modest before she and sister Kendall Jenner stunned onlookers with corresponding feathered and beaded Versace gowns at the 2019 event.
Also making their Met Gala debuts in recent years: A pregnant Cardi B, Billy Porter, Harry Styles and Céline Dion—with all showcasing elaborate styles to match an equally elaborate annual theme. As a first-time Met Gala guest in 2017, Dion's look not only turned heads but was even functional.
"I really insisted there was a pocket in the dress," she told E! News on the red carpet, "because I didn't know if I had to bring my car [keys]. Are they gonna let me in? Then I had a little tissue just in case...my driver's license, my passport. I didn't know what to bring."
See photos of stars at their first Met Galas:
Naomi Campbell in 1990
In Versace
Sarah Jessica Parker in 1995
"My guess is that this was a dress from the thirft store which then I had tailored," the actress told Vogue in 2022, "and clearly did my own hair and makeup.
Gwyneth Paltrow in 1995
In Calvin Klein
Kate Moss, Calvin Klein & Christy Turlington in 1995
In Calvin Klein (Kate)
Salma Hayek in 1997
In Versace
Gisele Bundchen in 1999
In Versace
Victoria Beckham in 2003
In Dolce & Gabbana
Nicole Kidman in 2003
In Gucci by Tom Ford
Kate Hudson in 2003
In Stella McCartney
Eva Mendes in 2004
In Zac Posen
Jimmy Fallon in 2004
Diane Kruger in 2004
In Balenciaga
Naomi Watts in 2004
In Marc Jacobs
Serena Williams in 2004
Emmy Rossum in 2005
In Ralph Lauren
Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen in 2005
In Oscar de la Renta (Ashley) and a vintage dress from What Comes Around Goes Around (Mary-Kate)
Sienna Miller in 2006
In Burberry Prorsum
Jessica Alba in 2006
In Calvin Klein
Rihanna in 2007
In Georges Chakra
Kerry Washington in 2007
Cameron Diaz in 2007
In Dior
Beyoncé in 2008
In Armani Privé
Blake Lively in 2008
In Ralph Lauren
Taylor Swift in 2008
In Badgley Mischka
Amber Rose & Kanye West in 2009
In Carolina Herrera (Amber)
Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake in 2009
In Versace (Jessica)
Anne Hathaway in 2009
In Marc Jacobs
Leighton Meester in 2009
In Louis Vuitton
Katy Perry in 2009
In Tommy Hilfiger
Emma Stone in 2009
In Matthew Williamson