If you haven’t heard, 2020 is officially canceled. The Met Gala was postponed back in March and in wake of this news, I decided to spend some time going through the best Met Gala looks in recent years and ranking my top 3.
The Met Gala didn’t start as the affair we know of today. Initially created by a fashion publicist to help raise money for the new Costume Institute, it later developed into this elite New York City charity event and adopted themes with Diana Vreeland, former EIC of Vogue, behind it in the 70s. Then came along Anna Wintour in the late 90s who turned the Met Gala into one of the most cultural nights of the year.
Beyond just raising money, the Met Gala brings attention to the yearly Costume Institute exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and highlights that there is more to fashion as an art form, earning its place at the table among other art displayed at the museum.
*Sidenote: If you’re looking for something to stream, Hulu has the First Monday in May documentary. It focuses on the development of the 2015 Met Gala and the China: Through the Looking Glass exhibit as they try to surpass the numbers from the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (2011) exhibit.
In 2015, Rihanna wore a Guo Pei gown that took two years to make and is one of the most memorable show-stopping moments to this point. Jennifer Lopez in Atelier Versace and Beyonce in Givenchy also had great looks for the night. Both showing some skin and jeweled bodies in fitted gowns, very “through the looking glass” inspired, I would say.
2016 Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology
Taking a futuristic 180 turn and inspired by mechanized fashion the 2016 Met Gala had #CoupleGoals with duos like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West embracing the night’s theme and harmonizing their silver looks with one another. Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik, who wore a mechanical arm sleeve, made their first public appearance as a couple at this Met Gala. The Atelier Versace dress Kate Hudson wore was one of my favorites for this year.
2017 Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
Zendaya looked like an actual princess at the 2017 Met Gala. Her beauty look was on point with voluminous hair and a coral lip to go with her vivid print Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda dress. Rihanna wore what I would refer to as a geometric art piece designed by the nights honoring designer, Comme des Garçons.
2018 Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
Cardi B shut down the red carpet for her first Met Gala in Moschino by Jeremy Scott. This was a major moment wearing a custom beaded gown embracing her baby bump with a pearl and jewel headpiece. Blake Lively also embraced the theme in a rich jeweled Versace gown accompanied by a custom halo headpiece. Rihanna a top contender for the night in John Galliano for Maison Margiela wore a jeweled pope mitre matching her silver beaded ensemble.
2019 Camp: Notes on Fashion
Lady Gaga put on a show for the pink carpet, honey. In Brandon Maxwell for the 2019 Camp themed Gala, she transformed and revealed four different looks. Cardi B once again came in strong wearing an extravagant Thom Browne gown that had an energy of its own. Billy Porter wearing The Blonds took on the role of a “Sun God” for the night and made a grand entrance while being carried in by six men resembling ancient Egypt.
On that note, Billy Porter has been encouraging fans to DIY recreating his 2019 met gala look with items at home. In spirit of the first Monday in May this could be a fun activity or maybe something to scroll through to see what others have come up with! #metgalachallenge #billyporterfashionchallenge
Jane Theory 