These Stars at Their First Met Galas Are a Total Fashion Throwback

Ahead of the 2022 Met Gala on May 2, relive the looks Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Beyoncé and more stars wore to the very first appearance at the prestigious fashion event.

By Gabrielle Chung May 01, 2022 11:00 PM
| Updated Apr 26, 2022 8:59 PM
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Watch: Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds to HOST 2022 Met Gala

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.

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Surprising Met Gala Secrets Revealed

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

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View More Photos From Stars' First Met Gala Appearances

Check out E!'s Met Gala homepage for every must-see look from fashion's biggest night and all the behind-the-scenes moments you might have missed. And watch E! News Tuesday, May 6, at 11 p.m. for a full 2025 Met Gala recap.