Entertainment Awards Shows and Events 2024 Met Gala The Best Met Gala Looks of All Time Ahead of 2024's Met Gala red carpet, "A Garden in Time," look back at 80 of the most iconic outfits to ever grace the event's famous stairs By Brittany Talarico Brittany Talarico Brittany Talarico is PEOPLE's Deputy Style Director, where she oversees the brand's digital Style and Beauty coverage. This includes running lead on the Met Gala, which is among PEOPLE.com's top-trafficked red carpet events every year, interviewing the industry's top influencers (including all the Kardashian-Jenners), and breaking A-list celeb news (a New Jersey shore native, it is no surprise that her favorite interview ever was with Bruce Springsteen). Brittany is a style contributor to People Every Day Podcast and has represented the brand on national TV programs including Good Morning America and The CW's two TV specials on the British Royals. She joined PEOPLE from Cosmopolitan in 2013, where she was an Associate Editor. People Editorial Guidelines and Lauren Lieberman Lauren Lieberman Lauren Lieberman is the Managing Photo Director, Digital. She has been with the PEOPLE brand for more than a decade managing the online photo team and producing signature online content. People Editorial Guidelines Published on May 4, 2024 10:00AM EDT Photo: getty (3) The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala is basically the Oscars of the fashion industry. Held each year on the first Monday in May, the biggest names in screen, music, modeling and more collaborate with the top fashion houses on one-of-a-kind looks — and the photos taken on the Met steps live on forever in style history. Some celebrities are known for bringing their A-game year after year — Blake Lively and Sarah Jessica Parker are among those who reliably interpret the evening's dress code in memorable ways. Others may not attend every year, but have knocked it out of the park in extremely elegant ensembles that stand the test of time (two that often get mentioned are Cameron Diaz's tiered fuchsia Dior gown and Cate Blanchett's fringed golden Balenciaga). And still more go all-out on the theme dressing; look for Katy Perry or Cardi B to take it to the next level when it comes to the dress code. The Costume Institute's famous event is returning on May 6. In support of this year's exhibit, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," the dress code will be "A Garden in Time." As we wait to see how the A-listers interpret it on the famous red carpeted steps into the notoriously exclusive event, look back at 80 of the most memorable Met Gala outfits of all time. 01 of 80 Blake Lively, 2022 Getty Images Theme: Gilded Glamour Dress: Atelier Versace, with a train that unfurled to evoke the patina of the Statue of Liberty 02 of 80 Anne Hathaway, 2023 John Shearer/WireImage Theme: "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" Dress: Atelier Versace 03 of 80 Jennifer Lopez, 2021 Mike Coppola/Getty Theme: "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" Dress: Ralph Lauren Collection 04 of 80 Beyoncé, 2015 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Theme: "China: Through The Looking Glass" Dress: Givenchy Haute Couture 05 of 80 Lady Gaga, 2019 Lady Gaga. Theo Wargo/WireImage Theme: "Camp: Notes on Fashion" Dress(es): Brandon Maxwell designed a voluminous hot-pink caped gown featuring a mega-long train worn over a series of other looks by the designer, giving off the effect of a Russian Doll 06 of 80 Nicole Kidman, 2016 Andrew H. Walker/REX/Shutterstock Theme: "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Dress: Alexander McQueen 07 of 80 Princess Diana, 1996 Richard Corkery/NY Daily News via Getty Images Theme: "Christian Dior" Dress: Dior (from her friend John Galliano's debut couture collection as the Creative Director of Dior.) 08 of 80 Kendall Jenner, 2021 Getty Theme: "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" Dress: Givenchy Haute Couture 09 of 80 Cameron Diaz, 2007 Seth Wenig/AP Theme: "Poiret: King of Fashion" Dress: Christian Dior 10 of 80 Zoë Kravitz Zoë Kravitz. Getty Theme: "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" Dress: Saint Laurent 11 of 80 Blake Lively, 2017 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Theme: "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between" Dress: Atelier Versace 12 of 80 Rihanna, 2015 Theme: "China: Through The Looking Glass" Dress: Guo Pei 13 of 80 Cher and Bob Mackie, 1974 Theme: "Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design" Dress: Bob Mackie 14 of 80 Jennifer Lopez, 2015 Larry Busacca/Getty Theme: "China: Through the Looking Glass" Dress: Atelier Versace 15 of 80 Taylor Swift, 2014 Theme: "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Dress: Oscar de la Renta 16 of 80 Cardi B, 2022 Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images Theme: "Gilded Glamour" Dress: Atelier Versace 17 of 80 Amal and George Clooney, 2015 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Theme: "China: Through The Looking Glass" Dress: Maison Margiela 18 of 80 Gwyneth Paltrow, 1995 Ke.Mazur/WireImage The Theme: "Haute Couture" Dress: Calvin Klein 19 of 80 Alexander McQueen and Sarah Jessica Parker, 2006 Theme: "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion" Dress: Alexander McQueen 20 of 80 Cardi B, 2019 Cardi B at the 2019 Met Gala. Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic Theme: "Camp: Notes on Fashion" Dress: a quilted andfeathered gown by Thom Browne which featured an epic train and jeweled bodice boasting 44 carats worth of rubies 21 of 80 Sienna Miller, 2013 Theme: "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Dress and Jacket: Burberry Prorsum 22 of 80 Kim Kardashian West, 2018 Amy Sussman/WWD/REX/Shutterstock Theme: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Dress: Atelier Versace 23 of 80 Zoë Saldana, 2016 Theme: "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Dress: Dolce & Gabbana 24 of 80 Lupita Nyong'o, 2014 Theme: "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Dress: Prada 25 of 80 Billy Porter, 2019 Billy Porter at the 2019 Met Gala. Karwai Tang/Getty Theme: "Camp: Notes on Fashion" Look: custom "Sun God" ensemble by The Blonds which included a bejeweled catsuit outfitted with 10-foot wings and a 24-karat gold headpiece 26 of 80 Madonna, 2018 John Shearer/Getty Theme: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination" Dress: Jean Paul Gaultier 27 of 80 Beyonce, 2012 Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic Theme: "Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations" Dress: Givenchy Haute Couture 28 of 80 Jackie Onassis, 1979 Theme: "Fashions of The Hapsburg Era" Dress: Valentino 29 of 80 Katie Holmes, 2015 Theme: "China: Through The Looking Glass" Dress: Zac Posen 30 of 80 Nina Dobrev, 2012 Kevin Mazur/WireImage Theme: "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations" Dress: Donna Karan 31 of 80 Kendall Jenner, 2017 David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock Theme: "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between" Dress: La Perla 32 of 80 Sarah Jessica Parker, 2018 John Shearer/Getty Theme: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Dress and Headpiece: Dolce & Gabbana 33 of 80 Gwyneth Paltrow, 2011 Theme: "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Dress: Stella McCartney 34 of 80 Irina Shayk and Bradley Cooper, 2018 Shutterstock Theme: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Dress: Atelier Versace Tuxedo: Tom Ford 35 of 80 Katy Perry, 2017 Neilson Barnard/Getty Theme: "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between" Dress: Maison Margiela 36 of 80 Billie Eilish, 2021 John Shearer/WireImage Theme: "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" Dress: Oscar de la Renta 37 of 80 Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen Actresses Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen arrives to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2008 in New York City. Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images Theme: "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" Dress: Black column gown with cutouts and gold lamé caftan 38 of 80 Kim Kardashian, 2019 Neilson Barnard/Getty Theme: "Camp: Notes on Fashion" Dress: a beaded latex Thierry Mugler dress, which brought the designer out of retirement and took over eight months to design 39 of 80 Amal and George Clooney, 2018 Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock Theme: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Dress: a floral strapless gown by British designer Richard Quinn teamed with a a sleek pair of trousers. 40 of 80 David and Victoria Beckham, 2008 Stephen Lovekin/Getty Theme: "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" Dress: Armani Privé 41 of 80 Gigi Hadid, 2015 Theme: "China: Through The Looking Glass" Dress: Diane von Furstenberg 42 of 80 Solange, 2015 Theme: "China: Through The Looking Glass" Dress: Giles Deacon 43 of 80 Lady Gaga, 2015 Theme: "China: Through The Looking Glass" Dress: Balenciaga (designed by Alexander Wang) 44 of 80 Sarah Jessica Parker, 2015 Kevin Mazur/WireImage Theme: "China: Through The Looking Glass" Dress: wearing a dress of her own design, in collaboration with H&M, and Philip Treacy headpiece 45 of 80 Raquel Welch, 1982 Theme: Le Belle Époque Dress: Thierry Mugler 46 of 80 Emma Stone and Alber Elbaz, 2012 Theme: "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations" Dress: Lanvin 47 of 80 Bob Mackie and Cher, 1985 Theme: "Costumes of Royal India" Dress: Bob Mackie 48 of 80 Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, 2015 Theme: "China: Through the Looking Glass" Dress and Tuxedo: Roberto Cavalli 49 of 80 Yara Shahidi, 2021 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Theme: "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" Dress: Dior 50 of 80 Lil Nas X Jamie McCarthy/Getty Theme: "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" Ensemble: More than 200,000 Pat McGrath-applied crystals in collaboration with Dior Homme, in tribute to Lagerfeld's cat Choupette 51 of 80 Kate Moss and Marc Jacobs, 2009 Theme: "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion" Dress: Marc Jacobs 52 of 80 Calvin Klein and Iman, 1981 Theme: "The Eighteenth-Century Woman" Dress: Calvin Klein Collection 53 of 80 Zendaya, 2018 John Shearer/Getty Theme: "Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Dress: Jean Paul Gaultier 54 of 80 Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, 2010 Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, May 2010. Theme: "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" Dress and Tuxedo: Ralph Lauren 55 of 80 Mary J. Blige, 2021 Getty Theme: "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" Dress: Dundas 56 of 80 Nicole Kidman, 2003 Mark Mainz/Getty Theme: "Goddess: The Classical Mode" Dress: Tom Ford 57 of 80 Anne Hathaway, 2015 Theme: 'China: Through The Looking Glass' Dress: Ralph Lauren 58 of 80 Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, 2014 Theme: "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Dresses: Vintage Chanel (on Mary-Kate) and vintage Gianfranco Ferré (on Ashley) 59 of 80 Blake Lively, 2014 Karwai Tang/FilmMagic Theme: "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Dress: Gucci Première 60 of 80 Kaia Gerber, 2022 John Shearer / Getty Images Theme: "Gilded Glamour" Dress: Alexander McQueen 61 of 80 Jennifer Lopez, 2019 Neilson Barnard/Getty Theme: "Camp: Notes on Fashion" Dress: Versace 62 of 80 Katy Perry, 2018 Theme: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Dress: Atelier Versace 63 of 80 Michelle Williams, 2011 Stephen Lovekin/Getty Theme: "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Dress: Miu Miu 64 of 80 Katy Perry, 2019 Katy Perry at the 2019 Met Gala. Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Theme: "Camp: Notes on Fashion" Dress: a custom Swarovski crystal-covered mini dress layered under a chandelier designed by Jeremy Scott for Moschino 65 of 80 Kate Hudson, 2021 Getty Theme: "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" Dress: Michael Kors Collection 66 of 80 Naomi Campbell, 2023 Jamie McCarthy/Getty Theme: "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" Dress: Vintage Chanel 67 of 80 Claire Danes, 2016 Theme: "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Dress: Zac Posen with a light-up skirt 68 of 80 Naomi Campbell, 1995 Theme: "Haute Couture" Dress: Versace 69 of 80 Kate Hudson, 2009 Theme: "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion" Dress: Stella McCartney 70 of 80 Julia Roberts and Giorgio Armani, 2008 Theme: "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" Dress: Armani Privé 71 of 80 Cate Blanchett, 2007 Theme: "Poiret: King of Fashion" Dress: Balenciaga 72 of 80 Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady, 2008 Theme: "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" Dress: Versace 73 of 80 Sandra Bullock, 2007 Theme: "Poiret: King Of Fashion" Dress: Alberta Ferretti 74 of 80 Zendaya, 2016 Theme: "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Dress: Michael Kors 75 of 80 Madonna, 2013 Theme: "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Outfit: Givenchy 76 of 80 Elle Macpherson, 2005 Theme: "The House of Chanel" Dress: Calvin Klein Collection (which she wore with flats!) 77 of 80 Zendaya, 2017 Theo Wargo/Getty Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between Dress: Dolce & Gabbana 78 of 80 Lady Gaga, 2016 Theme: "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Outfit: Versace 79 of 80 Karlie Kloss, 2016 Andrew H. Walker/REX/Shutterstock Theme: "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Dress: Brandon Maxwell 80 of 80 Karolina Kurkova, 2005 Theme: "The House of Chanel" Dress: Viktor and Rolf Close