Met Gala: 17unforgettable looks from Rihanna, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez and more

How will anyone ever top these looks?

April 29, 2022, 4:16 AM

For industry insiders, celebrities and paparazzi, the first Monday in May is when all the Met Gala magic happens.

From elaborate ensembles and unforgettable dresses to totally bizarre moments we'll be talking about for years to come — it's undeniably one of fashion's biggest nights.

Who remembers when Katy Perry commanded attention in 2018 with her larger-than-life angel wings? Or, how about when Rihanna wore one of the most exaggerated gowns to ever grace the Metropolitan Museum of Art's staircase?

From "wow" to "wild," here's a look back at 15 looks we will never forget.

Andre Leon Talley & Anna Wintour

Editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley and Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour attend the Costume Institute gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in 1999.
Rose Hartman/Getty Images, FILE

In 1999, two of Vogue's most well-known faces, Andre Leon Talley and Anna Wintour, showed up in full glitz and glam.

Rihanna

Rihanna attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, FILE

When you think of the Met Gala, it's hard not to think of Rihanna's elaborate Guoi Pei haute couture dress worn in 2015 that took over the red carpet -- literally!

Katy Perry

PHOTO: Katy Perry  attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
Katy Perry attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty Images, FILE

Perry took the 2018 Met Gala theme, "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and Catholic Imagination," to new heights when she wore this gorgeous gold Versace dress paired with gigantic feathery wings.

P. Diddy

In this May 1, 2017 file photo Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

If you want to steal the show, lay back and strike your best pose on the Metropolitan Museum stairs as P.Diddy did in 2017 while wearing a stellar caped tuxedo look.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian attends the Costume Institute Gala for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 6, 2013, in N.Y.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images, FILE

Kim K. was nearly eight months pregnant when she wore one of the most talked about and meme'd floral print looks in Met Gala history.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker attends the Costume Institute Gala for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, FILE

Talk about making a statement?! Parker nailed it with this mohawk-shaped headpiece created by award-winning hat designer Philip Treacy.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
Frazer Harrison/FilmMagic/Getty Images, FILE

Jonas looked like a regal queen at the 2018 Met Gala in her deep rouge-toned velvet Ralph Lauren gown paired with a beautiful gold-beaded hood.

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Nyong'o attends the 'Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, FILE

Nyong'o's glorious updo is arguably one of the most elevated looks the Met Gala has ever seen. Her textured 'do was a nod to styles worn by Nina Simone and traditional African hairstyles.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne attends "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.
Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images, FILE

Her famous eyebrows usually take center stage, but for the 2017 Met Gala, Delevingne turned heads with her metallic, painted bald head.

Solange

Solange Knowles attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York.
Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images, FILE

Solange played off the Met Gala's 2015 theme: "China: Through The Looking Glass" in this breathtaking dress that you can't miss.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez attends the 'Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.
George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images, FILE

J.Lo looked dreamy in this flowy, sheer Valentino look worn to the 2017 Met Gala.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
Jamie Mccarthy/Getty Images, FILE

One word: wow! McDormand sure knows how to take things to the next level.

Beyoncé

Beyonce attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York.
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images, FILE

Queen Bey was hard to miss in this embellished ensemble topped with a high ponytail.

Lena Waithe

Lena Waithe attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
Dia Dipasupil/WireImage/Getty Images

For the 2018 Met Gala, Waithe wore a powerful rainbow-colored Pride flag caped look that felt true to her and so many others.

Kendall Jenner

Model Kendall Jenner attends the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.
J. Kempin/Getty Images, FILE

Jenner's barely-there gown worn in 2017 is equal parts sexy and sassy.

Lady Gaga

Brandon Maxwell and Lady Gaga attend The Metropolitan Museum Of Art's 2019 Costume Institute Benefit "Camp: Notes On Fashion" at Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 6, 2019, in New York.
Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Lady Gaga stunned onlookers by transforming into a trio of vibrant looks as she was escorted on the 2019 pink carpet wearing a voluminous hot pink Brandon Maxwell ensemble.

Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images

The rapper dazzled in an amazing gilded Versace look that included a cape and jumpsuit.

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on May 6, 2019.

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