Few red carpets spawn greater fashion discourse than the Met Costume Institute’s Annual Gala. Behold: the most fashionable costume party in existence. Where else would someone possess the gall to ascend the stairs outfitted in a literal chandelier as Katy Perry did in 2019? Or drag a 3-meter long, fur-trimmed cape behind them à la Rihanna in 2015? Said sartorial extravagances naturally spur a reaction in viewers—both positive and negative. And those reactions often play out on social media for all to see, as onlookers debate who debuted the best look–an argument as subjective as it is inconclusive.
The theme component presents a challenge to the guests, more so than traditional red carpets. Beyond presenting themselves in a fashionable manner, attendees must incorporate an overarching motif into their ensemble. Past themes range from ideas (Camp: Notes on Fashion and Punk: Chaos to Couture) to eras (Gilded Glamour) to people (Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty and this year’s Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty). Think of the theme as a fashion assignment.
There are a few attendees who definitely make the honor roll. Namely, Rihanna and Zendaya. Think the former’s bejeweled papal interpretation and the aforementioned dandelion yellow Guo Pei cape. Zendaya also captivated us with an allusion to Cinderella (complete with her stylist fairy godmother Law Roach) and her Joan of Arc chainmail creation.
Blake Lively is another frequent winner, with non-polarizing theme interpretations exhibited in ensembles like her Heavenly Bodies Versace number in 2018. “She always turns a look,” notes Mandy Lee of @oldloserinbrooklyn. “She stays in her lane, but it's also referential to the theme.” The TikTok star has more than a few thoughts on the subject, as she spends the week leading up to the first Monday in May, and many subsequent days after, dissecting every element of celebrity red carpet looks for her followers. “My side of the internet really likes and looks for a strong callback to the theme,” she explains. “And if it can be niche, that is even cooler.” She nods to Billie Eilish as another sartorial champion, specifically pointing to her 2022 Gilded Glamour look as an A+. Her Gucci gown featured a corset and a draped skirt—major points for the bustle. She was decidedly on theme, and then put her own punk spin on it.
She notes the importance of both easter egg references and a general commitment to the bit—elements that will get the TikTok girlies going. Take for instance, Kylie Jenner’s veiled Off-White baseball cap that same year. The bridal-esque look sparked controversy but Lee actually defended the look–well the hat at least. The MLB launched in 1876, which does qualify as the Gilded Age. “That was one of my top performing videos because people are like, ‘it's just an ugly hat,’ which yes, it is, but at least there's some explanation,” she says. “I'd rather somebody do that than half-ass the theme and the look isn't really good,” she explains.
None of these ensembles look the same visually, thanks in part to the strong sense of personal style exuding from the attendees in question. However, there are a few resounding elements that pop up in different fashions and dresses. (We swear, an exceedingly long train gets you halfway there. Or wear Thom Browne and you’re a winner). Ticking through said elements, we realized the key is exploring any component that might elevate the look from a traditional red carpet ensemble—and that involves a lot of homework.
This year’s theme is a particularly challenging one, Lee notes. Obviously, there’s the Lagerfeld caricature. A classic black suit, shield sunglasses, fingerless gloves, and a white Birman cat (bonus points if the look references Choupette). But she (alongside millions of viewers) will be looking for attendees to interpret some element of his personage, be that his work, his signature style, or another element they find in their research. To all those undergoing the assignment this upcoming Monday (and subsequently subjecting themselves to media criticism), we salute you. In an effort to identify elements that seem to win across all themes, we’ve deconstructed 10 past Met Gala ensembles we believe “completed the assignment” to uncover the consistencies.
Zendaya in 2018
Key Elements: Historical Reference, Unconventional Materials, Unusual Silhouette, Beauty Extension, Exceedingly Long Train
Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images for New York Magazine
At the 2018 Met Gala, themed Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, the winning duo of Zendaya and stylist Law Roach opted for a modern interpretation of Joan of Arc. They selected a custom metallic Versace gown rendered in chainmail whose silhouette alludes to armor. Her cropped wig, fashioned in a similar style to Joan’s, perfectly rounds out the look.
Billie Eilish in 2022
Key Elements: Historical Reference, Unusual Silhouette, Prop-like Accessory
Photo: Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
For part two of the Met’s In America: An Anthology of Fashion, the Gilded Glamour theme encouraged a great deal of corsetry, a silhouette Billie Eilish embraced in her own punk-like fashion alongside pale green lace sleeves. The off-white skirt of her gown draped ethereally around her hips and the back featured a very on-theme detail: a bustle.
Blake Lively in 2022
Key Elements: Wardrobe Change, Unconventional Materials, Historical Reference, Exceedingly Long Train, Prop-like Accessory
Photos (left to right): Gotham/Getty Images; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Blake Lively knows how to dress for a Met Gala—and her looks are often non-polarizing crowd favorites. For 2022’s Gilded Glamour, Lively sported a Versace gown. The first rendition of the look featured a rose gold skirt embellished with a large bow—the architectural details paid homage to the empire state building. Midway through the carpet, Lively untied the bow to reveal a teal skirt that copied the constellation ceiling of Grand Central. Her crown symbolized the Statue of Liberty.
Miley Cyrus in 2013
Key Elements: Unconventional Materials, Beauty Extension
Photo: Jennifer Graylock/FilmMagic
Among my personal favorites is Miley Cyrus' Marc Jacobs Spring 2014 look for the Punk: Chaos to Couture Met Gala. The open-weave mesh overlay adds a dose of angsty energy to the ensemble (with a perfectly elusive nude slip underneath), but the blonde spiky hair elevates this look to a gold star.
Lady Gaga in 2019
Key Elements: Wardrobe Change, Unusual Silhouette, Beauty Extension, Prop-like Accessory, Exceedingly Long Train, Off-the-Beaten-Path Designer
Photo: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Lady Gaga on the camp red carpet—seems a little unfair, no? With no less than four looks in one, her Camp: Notes on Fashion ensemble, designed by Brandon Maxwell, will go down in red carpet history thanks to her dedication to the sartorial cause. The four looks range from a hot pink supersized gown to a Barbie-like slip dress to actual lingerie—and platform boots, of course. Gaga left no detail to chance with elements like a blonde bobbed wig and a black umbrella as an accessory.
Emma Corrin in 2022
Key Elements: Historical reference, Unusual Silhouette, Prop-like Accessory
Photo: Gotham/Getty Images
A less spoken about red carpet win: Emma Corrin’s take on the Gilded Glamour theme in 2022. Their look pays homage to New York socialite Evander Berry Wall, the “King of the Dudes.” The latter word is a term that originally denoted “a man who affected excessive refinement in dress”—a fashion icon, one might say. Corrin’s Miu Miu look (complete with Cartier jewelry) dutifully reinterpreted an ensemble he wore in an old photograph, down to the cartoonish top hat, in a manner that is both eccentric and chic.
Solange Knowles in 2018
Key Elements: Unconventional Materials, Unusual Silhouette, Off-the-Beaten-Path Designer, Beauty Extension, Prop-like Accessory
Photo: Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images
For Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, Solange Knowles paid homage to her namesake: Saint Solange. This might be the best example of unconventional materials on this list—in thanks to the queen of the unconventional, Iris Van Herpen. She created an architectural tentacle-like dress paired with a black do-rag and a halo-like headpiece.
Rihanna in 2015
Key Elements: Unusual Silhouette, Unconventional Materials, Off-the-Beaten-Path Designer, Exceedingly Long Train
Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images
Another historical favorite, Rihanna donned Chinese designer Guo Pei for the 2015 Met Gala, themed China: Through the Looking Glass. We would not call her an emerging designer, but Guo Pei is not one of the traditional Met Gala power players—it was a refreshing voice to see represented on the carpet. Embroidered with a gold floral motif, the fur-trimmed train spanned three meters. She topped off the look with a curlicue headpiece.
Mary-Kate Olsen in 2013
Key Elements: Unusual Silhouette, Archival Look, Prop-like Accessory, Beauty Extension
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Mary-Kate Olsen attended the 2013 Met Gala in a head-to-toe vintage ensemble. The dress in vintage Chanel couture, the outerwear vintage Balmain. Not many would dare wear a fur-lined robe on the red carpet, but leave it to an Olsen twin to challenge that notion. Add in the statement jewelry and you have a fabulous approach to that year’s theme: Punk: Chaos and Couture. The perfectly undone hair is a thematic addition.
Sarah Jessica Parker in 2006
Key Elements: Historical Reference; Unconventional Materials; Prop-like Accessory
Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images
For AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion, Sarah Jessica Parker invited Lee McQueen, who designed a tulle strapless dress overlaid with a tartan sash and skirt. The red and black plaid nodded to both British fashion and that year's sponsor, Burberry. Plus, she accessorized with a tartan, tassel-embellished handbag.