The Met Gala is coming soon: we remember the coolest themes from the past

Soon, on the night of May 2-3, Moscow time, the annual ball of the Met Gala Costume Institute will be held in New York. The theme of the exhibition and the balloon held in honor of its opening this year is “Gilded Glamor”. And if the stars (and their stylists) try, we’ll have a lot of interesting things. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the issues of the past years.

1974 – Hollywood’s Romantic and Shiny Fashions

The first exhibition opened in 1974 and its theme was “Hollywood’s Romantic and Brilliant Fashion”. The most shocking and striking look of this year was Cher, who appeared before us in a completely see-through Bob Mackie dress with embroidery and white feathers.

1996 – “Christian Dior”

This year’s exhibition and ball was dedicated to the work of the great Christian Dior and of course all guests came in Dior outfits. One of the best was Princess Diana’s outfit: the dress was custom made for her by John Galliano, who was the brand’s designer at the time. There is nothing complicated: a plain navy blue dress in linen style, the legendary necklace of seven pearls and sapphires and a personal handbag “Lady Dior” completed the image. Unfortunately, this was one of the last appearances of the princess on earth.

1999 – “Rocker Style”

Many guests came to the prom out of habit, despite the theme, in evening dresses, but young Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney arrived in the same Rock royal T-shirts. And supermodel Amber Valletta, for example, was in a gold jumpsuit with a very (very!) deep neckline.

2004 – “XVIII century”

John Galliano’s outfits never went unnoticed at the Met Gala, and in 2004 the theme of the exhibition was the 18th century. And again the Amber Valletta model was perfect. Galliano created a dress for her with a corset and a crinoline.

2006 – “Anglomaniac”

Designers would often come to the prom with the stars for whom they created their costumes. So, in 2006, Sarah Jessica Parker convinced designer Alexander McQueen to date her, who, as you know, was never a fan of social events. The actor and designer had matching costumes.

2010 – “Alexander McQueen”

The next time they talked about McQueen, it was 2010, but in a very sad state – the designer hanged himself in his own wardrobe nine days after his mother died. Andrew Bolton, curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, soon put together an exhibition of Savage Beauty dedicated to the designer’s work. Then it was visited by 660,000 people in three months.

The designer’s muse, socialite Daphne Guinness, arrived at the prom in a cream-coloured feather and tassel dress. She wore it in the front of shoppers and journalists in the window of the Barneys store.

2013 – “Punk: from chaos to high fashion”

Trying to do her best to show that she was no longer Hannah Montana at that time, Miley Cyrus again had the opportunity to surprise everyone with her appearance. Marc Jacobs stepped out of a limousine onto the red carpet in a knit dress and mohawk!

2015 – From China’s Mirror

The theme of this year did not leave anyone indifferent. The stars tried harder than ever to follow the dress code and find the most original outfit. And images of Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna and Beyoncé were not only discussed by the slackers.

The outfit of the first was considered very strange, despite the fact that the actress not only dressed according to the dress code, but also specially created a dress from environmentally friendly materials together with H&M. After the prom, the whole Internet with her participation was in the memes.

The only guest who came to the prom dressed in a Chinese designer’s outfit was Rihanna, Gou Pei. Fur yellow velvet (in Asia this color is considered the color of greatness), a tiara, a necklace and a train running all over the stairs. By the way, the image was prepared for the singer for about two years.

But Beyoncé decided not to pay attention to the dress code and came out spectacularly … almost naked. The singer came up with a transparent dress embroidered with rhinestones.

2016 – “Hand and Machine: Fashion in the Age of Technology”

The exhibition is dedicated to the impact of modern technologies on high fashion. This year, Zac Posen created a Cinderella dress for Claire Danes and sewed 30 packs of small light bulbs into an organza petticoat so the dress literally glowed in the dim light. That evening, everyone took a picture with Claire.

2017 – “Rei Kawakubo and Comme Des Garçons”

The exhibition is dedicated to the Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo, founder of the Comme Des Garçons brand, and his work. Rihanna was perfect again. At the ball, the singer appeared in a trademark dress made of many round cuts. By the way, they created it especially for Rihanna.

Katy Perry was also the star of the night, although she came in a dress not from Comme Des Garçons but from Maison Margiela and John Galliano. The singer wore a red dress with appliqués and drapes, and Katy wore a mask and a long red veil with an embroidered Witness on her head, the title of her fifth album.

2018 – Divine Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination

This topic has caused a lot of controversy, it is a pity that not everyone manages to follow the dress code. Once again, Rihanna and Katy Perry competed for the authenticity of the outfits. The first came with a papal tiara, all embroidered with pearls, in a Maison Margiela cloak reminiscent of the Pope’s robes.

Katie was no less original, but no less magnificent: the singer came in a golden dress with a braid on the knee-high boots and large wings from the back.

2019 – “Camp: Notes on Fashion”

They say the Met Gala 2019 is one of the brightest and most memorable proms in history! This time the red carpet was filled with sequins, feathers, silk and rhinestones.

Not without the loudest appearances of the stars. Remember at least Jared Leto with his head down, or Lady Gaga, who effectively undressed in front of the paparazzi.

2021 – “American Independence”

Last year, the night was held under the auspices of American fashion, so images of stars in the colors of the American flag (among which red clearly dominated). Others were inspired by Hollywood’s golden age or the 2000s, but nearly all the stars had one thing in common – protective masks on their faces. Yes, that year the Costume Institute’s ball was allowed not only by invitation, but also by vaccination certificates.