Ever since its first “Fashion Plate”—themed event in 1971, the Met Gala has remained an annual playground for the kind of visionary, no-holds-barred glamour that’s otherwise reserved for photo shoots. From daring Met Gala beauty looks to couture-inspired statements, it’s no wonder the Metropolitan Museum of Art has also been the site of iconic beauty evolutions sure to spark trends—and more than a few headlines.
At 2015’s “China: Through the Looking Glass” fete, Dakota Johnson soaked up the spotlight with her long ingenue ponytail chopped to a springy chin length—and arguably set off the wave of bobs that’s still sweeping the Instagram set.
And yet, for a certain kind of red carpet regular, the Met Gala is less about perfecting a signature look than an opportunity to walk the line between whimsical and dramatic. Take Cher, who paired a sparkling Bob Mackie confection with sculptural earrings and a wash of lavender eyeshadow in 1985, while Rihanna won the 2015 red carpet with the help of a gilded headdress and a transformative set of eyebrows.
Perhaps the most boundary-pushing gala yet, 2019’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion”-themed festivities inspired bright palettes and even outfit changes, as Lady Gaga made her entrance onto the red carpet wearing a set of oversized gold lashes and a head-turning platinum bob.
Indian-origin celebrities too continue to serve their best beauty ensembles like Priyanka Chopra Jonas' red velvet gown and shimmery eyes or Deepika Padukone's Barbie gown coupled with a loud updo.
The 2024 Met Gala dress code, ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,’ drew inspiration from an exhibit blending natural, archival fashion and AI. Titled The Garden of Time,’ it references both the exhibit and J.G. Ballard’s 1962 short story, set in a dystopian paradise.
As we count down the days to Met Gala 2025, let’s take a moment to revisit the standout looks from each year.
Bianca Jagger
For the 1981 “The Eighteenth-Century Woman” gala, Bianca Jagger ascended the steps of the Met with her brunette waves pinned into vintage-inspired curls.
Iman
Iman was a bronze goddess from head to toe when she arrived in 1981. With slicked back curls, a chic smoky eye and glossy lips, the model turned heads as she seemed to radiate light from every angle.
Cher
Perhaps inspired by the looks featured in the 1985 exhibit, “Costumes of Royal India,” Cher sported a bedazzled unitard and a classic ’80s lavender smoky eye.
Christy Turlington
When model Christy Turlington stepped onto the red carpet at the 1992 Met Gala themed “Fashion and History: A Dialogue," she appeared as a modern day Audrey Hepburn, wearing a pearl choker and curls swept up into a retro knot.
Nadja Auermann
For 1994’s event, blonde beauty Nadja Auermann made sure her slicked bob was perfectly secured, not to distract from her lavender minimalist slip dress.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell was very much the nineties bombshell as she made her way to the Met Gala in 1995. With chunky highlights, pastel eyeshadow, and nude lips, one might even call her a clairvoyant as her look checked off pretty much every beauty trend of the following decade.
Princess Diana
For her first and only Met Gala appearance in 1996, Princess Diana wore a navy blue dress from John Galliano's debut haute couture collection to celebrate the "Christian Dior" theme.
Linda Evangelista
In 1996, model Linda Evangelista fashioned her lengths into a volumized bob complete with a set of micro bangs.
Liv Tyler
Inspired by the 1998 "Cubism and Fashion" theme, Liv Tyler walking into the Metropolitan Museum with a funky misshapen pixie and off-centered bangs that recalled the graphic art style.
Gisele Bündchen
Brazilian bombshell Gisele Bündchen arrived to the 1999 "Rock Style" Met Gala in all her fresh-faced, sunkissed glory.
Eve
As an ode to the 2003 theme, “Goddess: The Classical Mode,” rapper Eve sported a classic chiffon gown with her hair center-parted into piecey tendrils.
Lucy Liu
The 2007 theme “Poiret: King of Fashion” called for only the most regal looks, and Lucy Liu, adorned with a golden crown, delivered. With lightly dusted purple eyeshadow and rosy lipstick, the actress was a modern-day fairytale princess come to life.
Florence Welch
Singer Florence Welch appeared as a fringe-tastic dream for the 2012, “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” Met Gala with her famous crimson strands woven into a crown braid.
Erykah Badu
Wearing her signature hat—bedazzled for the special occasion—to the 2014 gala, Miss Badu was a vision with a flawless nude makeup look.
Beyoncé
Clad in a Givenchy beaded frock, Beyoncé arrived to the 2014 Met Gala with a bordeaux pout and studded face veil, an homage to the “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” theme.
Rihanna
Co-hosting the Met Gala in 2015 for “China: Through the Looking Glass,” Rihanna enlisted Chinese designer Guo Pei to create her sherbet yellow robe, pairing the showstopper with a set of horizontal brows and a diamante headdress.
Kim Kardashian West
Kim Kardashian West sported a slicked pony and white feathered Roberto Cavalli ensemble for the 2015 Met Gala, “China: Through the Looking Glass.”
FKA Twigs
While her 2015 Dries Van Noten Met Gala dress garnered much attention, FKA Twigs' architectural top knot was the real showstopper in our book.
Dakota Johnson
When Dakota Johnson arrived at the 2015 Met Gala, her shimmering Chanel frock—not to mention that dramatic winged liner—couldn’t help but attract the eye.
Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong'o took her hair to new heights for the 2016 Met Gala's theme “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.” Her sculptural updo was perfectly complemented with a steely blue cat eye.
Zendaya
Zendaya brought warmth to the red carpet with a coral lip and voluminous auburn hair for the 2017 Met Gala, which honored “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between."
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Cardi B shut down the red carpet at the 2018 “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” Met Gala with a regal pregnancy moment, her body clad in an ornately embellished Moschino by Jeremy Scott gown.
Bella Hadid
One of the most remembered Met Gala beauty looks is Bella Hadid's at the 2018 event, where she arrived glowing as if sent from above. Highlighted and lightly bronzed, the model looked divine with a golden-pink lip and subtle cat eye.
Lady Gaga
Heralded as the Queen of Camp, Lady Gaga did not disappoint for the 2019 Met Gala when she arrived onto the red carpet with a set of gilded lashes and a 25-foot magenta train.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez was a futuristic ice queen at the 2019 gala. Her nude, glossy lip and metallic purple eye couldn't have been a better match for her crystalline Versace gown.
Tessa Thompson
Always one for a bold beauty statement, Tessa Thompson inspired awe on the 2021 red carpet not just with her crimson smoky eye and jet-black talons, but with a sculptural cowboy hat crafted from intricate braids and accented by a horseshoe-shaped plaited updo in the back.
Gigi Hadid
At the 2021 gala, the supermodel debuted a violet red hair transformation that called to mind cartoon character Jessica Rabbit. Only adding to the drama was her high-slung ponytail, fastened with a crystal-embellished Prada logo barrette, and a set of powder blue smoky eyes punctuated by classic cat-eye flicks.
Yara Shahidi
Paying tribute to Josephine Baker as a “powerhouse renegade Black American artist,” Yara Shahidi wore the famed performer’s signature kiss-curl hairstyle, topping off the look with soft wings and a deep nude pout.
Lily Collins
At the 2019 gala, Lily Collins’ big hair moment channeled Priscilla Presley with a sculpted bouffant by hairstylist Greg Russel. Dramatic faux lashes, kohl-rimmed eyes, glossy pale lips and a brilliant purple eyeshadow completed the statement retro look.
Emma Chamberlain
Emma Chamberlain combined her powder blue, structured Miu Miu two-piece with edgy, goth makeup. Glitter and blue eyeshadow blended with kohl-rimmed eyes added intensity to her gaze. Makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan tied the look together by giving Chamberlain a nude pink lip and neatly brushed-up brows.
Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham opted for soft makeup with sleek hair to match her pink gown designed by Harris Reed. Justine Marjan, her hairstylist created a custom hairpiece which channeled vintage glam Meanwhile, makeup artist Ivan Núñez gave Graham dramatic lashes with a sharp winged eyeliner and pink lips with outlined with brown lip liner.
Jennie Kim
Blackpink’s Jennie Kim walked the carpet with radiant dewy skin and glossy hair, neatly braided over the crown. Subtle hints of shimmery, lavender eyeshadow added a pop of colour to the look, which came together with pink lips and rosy cheeks.
Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt stole the spotlight at Met 2024 in a custom mint green Sabyasachi saree, radiating ethereal elegance. Her makeup was fresh and glowing with soft pink blush, creamy lips, and a lit-from-within highlight. Eye makeup featured smudged liner, pink and coral eyeshadow, thick lashes, and defined brows. A messy bun with loose strands and a sparkly sheeshpatti gave off major modern-maharani vibes.
Zendaya
Zendaya took a detour from the usual natural, dewy looks and made a bold statement. A dramatic, monochromatic burgundy smoky eye with subtle halo effect on the lids and thin, painted brows added an edgy touch. The deep, rich burgundy lip was an absolute serve. Sweeping feather fascinator by Stephen Jones crowned Zendaya's custom Maison Margiela gown making her the ultimate showstopper at Met Gala 2024.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer dazzled in a custom Schiaparelli gown by Daniel Roseberry, adorned with over 2.5 million beads. Her makeup was all about that flawless glow—sculpted cheekbones, dreamy brown and silver eyeshadow, and lashes lifted with just the right amount of brown mascara. Glossed, overlined lips tied it all together. While the messy high bun added just the right touch of effortless charm.
This article first appeared on Vogue.com
Also read:
Met Gala 2022: Everything you need to know about fashion's biggest event
5 Indian-origin celebrities' best beauty moments at the Met Gala
Met Gala Themes Over the Years: A Look Back at Many First Mondays in May
