Sometimes referred to as "fashion" prom, the Met Gala (aka Met Ball) is one of the biggest nights of the year for designers and A-list celebrities. It's an annual fund-raising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City, and it's put together by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who's turned it into an exclusive and fashion-centric event. It's such a huge undertaking that the organization and planning of it was even documented in a film called The First Monday in May.
Almost every major star has attended at some point in time — including well-known musicians like Rihanna and Beyonce, models like Chrissy Teigen and Kendall Jenner, and actresses like Katie Holmes and Blake Lively. And this isn't a red carpet event where stars can get away with a simple gown. In fact, they're encouraged to wear something creative that fits that year's theme.
Previous themes have centered around technology, punk, superheroes, art movements, history, fashion designers, and more. Since the 1970s, all eyes have been on the extravagant dresses worn at the event — every year we seem to see more daring fashion choices. Here are some of the most memorable Met Gala dresses we couldn't take our eyes off of. We seriously had to do a double take for most of these!
Rihanna's 2018 Met Gala Dress
Almost every fashion-lover looks forward to seeing what Rihanna will wear at the Met Gala and boy, does she deliver! Riri showed up to the Catholic-themed Met in a dress inspired by the Pope! Because of course she did.
Blake Lively's 2018 Met Gala Dress
Goddess Blake Lively stopped the show when she arrived in a dramatically stunning Versace gown and gold crown. The voluminous train was so huge that she had to arrive in a party bus!
Katy Perry's 2018 Met Gala Dress
Katy Perry is never one to take a theme lightly! How could anyone top giant angel wings!?
Zendaya's 2018 Met Gala Dress
Zendaya continuously slays the Met Gala year after year. This custom Versace look is channeling Joan of Arc — incredible!
Jennifer Lopez's 2018 Met Gala Dress
Jennifer Lopez looked absolutely stunning in this Balmain design. She took the year's theme — "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" — and really went for it with the giant embellished cross front and center on the gown. And that feather train is insane!
Ariana Grande's 2018 Met Gala Dress
Ariana Grande was an absolute vision in Vera Wang! She basically wore the Sistine Chapel covered in tulle! We are obsessed.
Cardi B's 2018 Met Gala Dress
Cardi B glowed with her baby bump, drenched in Moschino by Jeremy Scott. Very dramatic and elegant at the same time. And her hair looks gorgeous!
Gigi Hadid's 2018 Met Gala Dress
Model Gigi Hadid looked magical in this Versace gown. The look resembled a mosaic stained-glass window, and everything from her hair to her makeup to her train was truly angelic.
Sarah Jessica Parker's 2018 Met Gala Dress
Sarah Jessica Paker always goes over-the-top with the theme, and we live for it. She has an actual nativity scene on her head!
Priyanka Chopra's 2018 Met Gala Dress
Priyanka Chopra wore this beautiful Ralph Lauren gown with the most amazing embellished hood. According to Harper's Bazaar, the hood took over 250 hours to hand bead!
Rihanna's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Rihanna stunned in this unique Comme des Garcons dress! Only she could make something this dramatic look totally flawless.
Blake Lively's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Blake Lively looked gorgeous in this gold gown. The blue feathered train is an attention-grabber for sure!
Chrissy Teigen's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Chrissy Teigen wore a sheer white Marchesa dress that was covered in white flowers in 2017. She looked radiant, as always.
Kendall Jenner's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Kendall Jenner was not afraid to show some skin! This revealing gown was actually a glittering La Perla slip.
Zendaya's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Zendaya was an absolute queen in this vibrant Dolce & Gabbana gown. And her voluminous hair is giving us life!
Reese Witherspoon's 2017 Met Gala Dress
We love the royal blue structured top of Reese Witherspoon's asymmetrical dress. She looks so chic!
Dakota Johnson's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Dakota Johnson's black edgy dress looks like it could have been inspired by Fifty Shades! The gothic-style gown was designed by Gucci.
Kylie Jenner's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Escorted by designer Donatella Versace herself, Kylie Jenner worked it in this custom gown. The gorgeous sheer nude dress covered in gems showed off her hourglass shape.
Katie Holmes's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Katie Holmes looks beyond fabulous in this navy blue Zac Posen gown. The ruffled details are really incredible!
Ashley Graham's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Fashion model Ashley Graham always looks great and she definitely made sure to shine at the 2017 Met Gala, to which she wore this custom bold red gown by H&M.
Priyanka Chopra's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Priyanka Chopra may have attended the 2017 Met Gala with Nick Jonas, but we're pretty sure all eyes were on her. This trench coat dress had an insanely long train, a very streetwear aesthetic, and quite a bit of sex appeal (just saying).
Julianne Moore's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Actress Julianne Moore wore this feathered Calvin Klein dress in 2017. The shades of pink look so great on her, and we love how fun this textured look is.
Madonna's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Leave it to Madonna to be a true rock star on the red carpet. She wore this off-the-wall camouflage dress designed by Jeremy Scott.
Cassie's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Cassie is seriously beautiful, and this dress only makes us want to stare even more! The multidimensional black gown is by On Aura Tout Vu.
Serena Williams's 2017 Met Gala Dress
A pregnant Serena William wore this elegant green gown at the 2017 Met Gala. That color really pops gorgeously on her!
Nicki Minaj's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Nicki Minaj has always been one to push the boundaries of fashion, so we're sure she feels right at home at the Met Gala. In 2017, she wore this amazing black and red H&M gown.
Lupita Nyong'o's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Actress and fashion icon Lupita Nyong'o always pulls off the greatest colors! She is absolutely glowing in this bright orange Prada gown.
Halle Berry's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Halle Berry's 2017 Met Gala look was actually a sheer jumpsuit. It had an amazing tiered train that was decked out in gold appliqués.
Hailey Baldwin's 2017 Met Gala Dress
Hailey Baldwin looked like an avant-garde ballerina at the 2017 Met. Her tulle layered skirt ensemble was designed by Carolina Herrera.
Kim Kardashian's 2016 Met Gala Dress
A futuristically clad Kim Kardashian stole the show in Balmain at the 2016 Met Gala. This structured silver gown fit the theme of "fashion in an age of technology" perfectly.
Taylor Swift's 2016 Met Gala Dress
Taylor Swift's edgy Louis Vuitton dress had people doing a double take in 2016. Her silver and black dress and lace-up heels created an edgier look for Tay that her fans were definitely not used to!
Demi Lovato's 2016 Met Gala Dress
Demi Lovato wore this Moschino dress in 2016. Although the design has a very unique combination of silver sequin and a yellow print, she actually pulls it off and looks totally fierce!
Solange Knowles's 2016 Met Gala Dress
Solange always rocks something totally unexpected, and this yellow dress is no exception! It's wild and out there, but she is still killin' it!
Beyonce's 2016 Met Gala Dress
Only Beyonce could make latex look this good! This Givenchy dress really did make our jaws drop!
La La Anthony's 2016 Met Gala Dress
Television personality and author La La Anthony is so fierce in this plunging, sparkly red gown by Nicolas Jebran. Everything about this is on point!
Kylie Jenner's 2016 Met Gala Dress
Kylie Jenner sparkled and shined in this dazzling Balmain gown. The long-sleeved dress featured sheer panels and silver fringe along the bottom.
Zoe Saldana's 2016 Met Gala Dress
It's pretty hard not to be won over by something as breathtaking as actress Zoe Saldana in this multicolor feathered Dolce & Gabbana dress. Amazing!
Rita Ora's 2016 Met Gala Dress
Rita Ora's silver and feathery dress from 2016 was designed by Vera Wang. From the cutouts to the dramatic train, Rita definitely came to show out!
Sarah Jessica Parker's 2016 Met Gala Outfit
In 2016, Sarah Jessica Parker wore something that Carrie Bradshaw would totally approve of. She went against the red carpet norms and rocked this elegant cropped pant look with a fabulous tulle-sleeved jacket. The look was inspired by the Broadway show Hamilton.
Nicole Kidman's 2016 Met Gala Dress
Nicole Kidman was a witchy goddess in this galactic Alexander McQueen gown. Paying tribute to the space age, she really was a shining star!
Ciara's 2016 Met Gala Dress
Singer Ciara rocked this revealing dress by H&M in 2016. We really can't get over how great that hair looks with it!
Anne Hathaway's 2015 Met Gala Dress
In 2015, Anne Hathaway made a big fashion statement in such a simple gown. Her gold Ralph Lauren dress caught a lot of attention because of its unique hood.
Rihanna's 2015 Met Gala Dress
Rihanna is pretty much hailed the queen of the Mat Gala. In 2015, she owned the red carpet in this extravagant yellow gown. It's couture made by Chinese desiger Guo Pei.
Beyonce's 2014 Met Gala Dress
Beyonce's sheer embellished Met Gala dress totally turned heads! They don't call her Queen Bey for nothing!
Lupita Nyong'o's 2014 Met Gala Dress
Lupita Nyong'o took the 2014 theme of "decorations" very literally in her green Prada dress. It's pretty avant-garde, but no one else could wear it better!
Shailene Woodley's 2014 Met Gala Dress
Shailene Woodley's 2014 met gala dress had a very cool combination of textures. This interesting off-the-shoulder gown was designed by Rodarte.
Nicole Richie's 2014 Met Gala Dress
In 2014, Nicole Richie rocked purple hair and this edgy-chic gown. According to Us Weekly, Donna Karan Atelier custom-dyed the sage backless velvet gown.
Jennifer Lopez's 2013 Met Gala Dress
Back in 2013, Jennifer Lopez looking gorgeous in a sequined leopard-print Michael Kors dress. We love this sassiness of this hot look.
Beyonce's 2012 Met Gala Dress
Beyonce never disappoints. The singer's 2012 black gown featured a purple ombré feathered train, which was expertly crafted by Givenchy.
Jessica Alba's 2012 Met Gala Dress
In 2012, Jessica Alba was a golden goddess in a Michael Kors lamé gown. With her red lips and side-swept hair, she looked absolutely stunning.
