Met Gala Icons: The Outfits That Redefined the Red Carpet

As the fashion world eagerly anticipates the 2025 Met Gala, set to take place on Monday, May 5, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, excitement is mounting for what promises to be another unforgettable evening. This year's theme, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," aims to celebrate the artistry and influence of Black designers and the rich history of Black dandyism in fashion.

The Met Gala has long been the pinnacle of fashion's most daring and imaginative expressions. Over the years, numerous ensembles have left indelible marks on the red carpet. In the spirit of this celebration, we reflect on the most iconic Met Gala ensembles that have graced the red carpet over the years. These are the looks that didn't just adhere to the theme—they redefined it.

Rihanna in her iconic yellow Met Gala Gown, phots by Page Six

Rihanna's 2015 Guo Pei Gown: A Regal Statement

In 2015, Rihanna captivated the Met Gala audience with her entrance in a canary-yellow gown designed by Chinese couturier Guo Pei. The ensemble featured intricate embroidery and an expansive train that required assistance to maneuver. This look not only honored the "China: Through the Looking Glass" theme but also introduced Guo Pei's craftsmanship to a global audience. Rihanna's choice showcased her commitment to embracing and highlighting diverse fashion narratives.​ Our correspondent actually had the pleasure of being there, and Rihanna’s iconic gown could be seen from the other side of the street as she arrived, capturing the clicks, ooo’s and ahhh’s of onlookers.

Blake Lively in her Met Gala Statue of Liberty Gown, photo by Mike Coppola of Town & Country.

Blake Lively's 2022 Statue of Liberty Homage

Blake Lively paid tribute to New York City at the 2022 Met Gala with a Versace gown inspired by the Statue of Liberty. The dress underwent a live transformation on the red carpet, changing from a copper hue to a patinated green, mirroring the statue's aging process. This dynamic ensemble celebrated the city's history and the event's "Gilded Glamour" theme.​ It also incorporated an homage to the famed Grand Central Station artwork and the Empire State Building — a very Empire State of Mind, if you don’t mind us saying.

Lady Gaga in her Pink Gown, the first of multiple outfit transformations, arriving at the Met Gala, Photo by Yahoo

Lady Gaga's 2019 Theatrical Reveal

Lady Gaga brought performance art to the Met Gala in 2019 with a series of outfit changes on the red carpet. Starting with a voluminous pink gown, she unveiled three more layers, each revealing a different facet of her persona. This dramatic presentation embodied the essence of camp and solidified her status as a fashion chameleon.​

Jared Leto arriving at the Met Gala with his doppelgänger outfit - a total showstopper, photo by Yahoo

Jared Leto’s 2019 Doppelgänger Moment

At the 2019 Met Gala, Jared Leto turned heads—literally—by carrying a replica of his own head as an accessory. Dressed in a crimson Gucci gown adorned with crystal harnesses, Leto's bold choice was a direct nod to the brand's Fall 2018 runway show, where models carried lifelike replicas of their heads. This audacious ensemble perfectly encapsulated the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme, blending high fashion with theatrical flair. And let’s not forget some of Jared’s other iconic moments - such as when he arrived with his “twin” or in the giant catsuit.

Zendaya's Cinderella Ball Gown, Photos by Yahoo

Zendaya's 2019 Cinderella Transformation

Zendaya's 2019 Met Gala appearance was nothing short of magical. Embodying a modern-day Cinderella, she wore a Tommy Hilfiger gown that illuminated on command, thanks to the wave of a wand by her stylist, Law Roach. This innovative design perfectly encapsulated the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme, blending storytelling with sartorial brilliance.​

Kendall Jenner arriving to the Met Gala in an iconic Givenchy old hollywood glamour crystal outfit.

Kendall Jenner’s 2021 Crystal Reverie

Kendall Jenner shimmered onto the 2021 Met Gala carpet in a gown that was less about fabric and more about light. Dressed in a custom Givenchy design inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s My Fair Lady, the sheer, body-skimming silhouette was adorned with thousands of hand-placed crystals, forming a celestial armor of sparkle. A delicate choker and structured shoulders added just enough edge to the ethereal look, blurring the line between Old Hollywood elegance and modern fantasy. It was classic glamour refracted through a contemporary lens — a nod to nostalgia, made entirely new.

Billy Porter being carried into the Met Gala in a Pharaoh ensemble, photo by People.

Billy Porter’s 2019 Pharaoh Entrance

Billy Porter made a grand entrance at the 2019 Met Gala, embodying an Egyptian Sun God. Carried onto the red carpet by six shirtless men, Porter wore a custom ensemble by The Blonds, featuring a bejeweled catsuit with 10-foot wings and a 24-karat gold headpiece. His theatrical presentation was a standout moment, perfectly aligning with the event's camp theme.

Kim Kardashian arriving on the red carpet in a mysterious all black outfit at the Met Gala, photo by Yahoo.

Kim Kardashian’s 2021 Shadow Statement

At the 2021 Met Gala, Kim Kardashian arrived not in a gown, but in a silhouette — cloaked head to toe in matte black Balenciaga, her identity reduced to pure outline. With not a single feature visible beneath the full-face mask, gloves, boots, and dramatic train, she became both hyper-recognizable and completely anonymous. The look, designed by Demna Gvasalia, was stark, surreal, and entirely against type—turning the world’s most photographed woman into a walking absence. It was fashion as disappearance, a meditation on fame, and a masterstroke of modern mythology.

These unforgettable looks remind us that the Met Gala isn’t just a red carpet — it’s a cultural mirror, reflecting the evolution of fashion as art, identity, and self-expression. With each passing year, the steps of the Met become a stage for reinvention, risk, and reverence. And as we await the next wave of creativity to unfold on Monday night, these iconic moments continue to define what it means to dress for history.