The MET Gala, held annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, is the pinnacle of fashion-meets-art extravagance. Curated around an annual theme, the gala transforms the red carpet into a spectacle of innovation, personal expression, and high couture.
Over the years, several celebrities have turned heads, made history, and sparked conversations with their daring, avant-garde, or simply unforgettable outfits. Among the most iconic fashion moments are Kim Kardashian’s wet-look fantasy and Alia Bhatt’s elegant pearl-studded debut.
In 2019, Kim Kardashian left a lasting impression in a custom Thierry Mugler creation for the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme. Her nude-colored, latex corset dress was designed to look as though she had just stepped out of the ocean. Embellished with perfectly placed crystal droplets, the outfit clung to her body like a second skin, giving her the appearance of being perpetually drenched.
The look, which took months to construct, exemplified both high fashion and performance art, pushing boundaries in true MET Gala style. Kim’s dedication to the outfit, including wearing a custom corset so tight she could barely sit, spoke to the effort and theatricality the event demands.
In contrast to Kim’s dramatic flair, Alia Bhatt’s 2023 MET Gala debut was a vision of soft glamour and grace. Attending the event themed “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” Alia wore a stunning white Prabal Gurung gown adorned with over 100,000 hand-embroidered pearls. The design drew inspiration from Chanel’s bridal aesthetics, a tribute to Lagerfeld’s legacy. With flowing fabric, a corseted bodice, and pearl-studded gloves, Alia looked every bit the modern princess. Her minimalist makeup and accessories allowed the craftsmanship of the dress to shine, marking her as a promising global fashion icon.
Over the years, other unforgettable MET Gala fashion moments include Rihanna’s imperial yellow Guo Pei cape in 2015, which became a meme-worthy masterpiece and a benchmark for future attendees. Zendaya’s Cinderella transformation in 2019, complete with a light-up Tommy Hilfiger gown and a “fairy godmother” moment on the carpet, brought Disney fantasy to life. Meanwhile, Blake Lively consistently delivers jaw-dropping style, especially her 2022 Statue of Liberty-inspired Versace gown, which changed colors mid-carpet.
What makes the MET Gala unique is its ability to merge storytelling with fashion. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about embodying a concept, a mood, or a theme in the most dramatic and visually impactful way.
Priyanka Chopra stunned in a dramatic silver Dior gown with a feathered cape and bold crown at the 2019 MET Gala, embracing the “Camp” theme with fearless flair. Deepika Padukone channeled a Barbie fantasy in a metallic pink Zac Posen gown, exuding glamour with a voluminous silhouette and retro styling.