Nothing says you've made it in fashion world quite like an invite to the Met Gala.
Over the years, the annual ball—which raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute—has become a place for the world's biggest trendsetters to have fun with fashion and show off their daring style. From Rihanna's yellow Guo Pei robe that spawned hundreds of omelet memes to Kim Kardashian's head-turning faceless Balenciaga bodysuit, many celebrity looks have been cemented as iconic fashion moments on its red carpet.
And though stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Beyoncé are considered Met Gala regulars who consistently raise the bar in style these days, they were once newbies looking to make their mark on fashion's biggest night. Back in 1995, SJP rocked a plain black dress for big Met Gala debut. As for Bey, she opted for something more modest in contrast to the elaborate gowns she's now known for when she first attended the gala in 2008.
Scroll on to see what stars wore to their first-ever Met Gala.
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