Met Gala Countdown: Best of the Met Gala

The first Monday in May is the fashion industry’s most exciting day of the year. The Met Gala, a once simple charity event, is now the most lavish and well-known gathering for fashion lovers. It is a day where there are no rules (except maybe following the theme...) and designers are able to show off their most extravagant looks on some of the most famous celebrities with outlandish designs and even political statements. With the 2019 Met Gala less than two weeks away, let’s go through some of the best and most memorable looks from the last ten Met Galas.

2009: Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion

Kate Moss and Justin Timberlake were named the co-chairs for the 2009 ball. Most looks were classic with tasteful risks. Glitter, shine and a slew of short dresses dominated this red carpet.

Anne Hathaway sporting Marc Jacobs. Image via Vogue

2010: American Women: Fashioning a National Identity

It comes as no surprise with this theme that Oprah Winfrey was a co-chair of the 2010 Gala (along with Patrick Robinson, the creative director of Gap). Girly and sophisticated encapsulated this year’s attendees’ looks.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Halston Heritage. Image via Vogue

2011: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

This year, as inspired by Alexander McQueen and British co-chairs Colin Firth and Stella McCartney, many of the looks had edgier vibes to them. Black was the most popular color and feathers, belts and lace frequented the red carpet looks.

Beyoncé in custom-made Emilio Pucci with Jay-Z. Image via Vogue

2012: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations

Miuccia Prada co-chaired 2012’s Gala and inspired the year’s theme. The Great Gatsby actress Carey Mulligan was also a co-chair. The event’s attendees included soft colors such as pale yellow in their outfits, as well as fluffy designs with tulle and tuft sleeves.

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana. Image via Vogue

2013: Punk: Chaos to Couture

Inspired by the edgy co-chairs – actress Rooney Mara, entrepreneur Lauren Santo Domingo and Italian designer Riccardo Tisci – this year’s themed looks were dominated by black, slick hairstyles and bold statements.

Anne Hathaway revealed platinum blonde hair and dressed in vintage Valentino. Image via Vogue

2014: Charles James: Beyond Fashion

Juxtaposing the 2013 theme, this year was meant to bring out big ball gowns and tributes to the first American couturier, Charles James. Bright colors and extravagant jewelry were popular during this year’s Gala. However, because of the theme many of the looks were repetitive and a little boring.

Despite the limits of the theme, Lupita Nyong’o stepped out in this Prada dress with Cartier jewelry – making her the most eye-catching attendee of 2014. Image via Vogue

2015: China : Through the Looking Glass

In 2015, the Gala’s theme was especially controversial, which started a conversation about careless cultural appropriation. Although many celebrities embarrassingly embodied offensive stereotypes, a few of the looks were tasteful and respectful to Chinese culture – as the theme intended.

Rihanna wearing a custom-made Guo Pei dress. Her dress was one of the only ones designed by a Chinese designer. It took about two years to make. Image via Vogue

2016: Fashion in the Age of Technology

This year’s outfits were dominated by metallic colors and sleek designs. This was also an exciting Gala because it seemed to be the first year that the men actually participated in the theme, rather than wearing variations of a simple tuxedo.

Supermodel Gigi Hadid in Tommy Hilfiger and (then) boyfriend Zayn Malik in Versace. Image via Harper’s Bazaar

2017: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons

This year’s theme honored designer Rei Kawakubo – the first living designer to be honored since Yves Saint Laurent in 1983. The looks for this year’s Gala were perhaps the most outlandish yet. Designers pulled out all the stops in order to create eye catching, unprecedented designs.

A freshly shaved head for her movie Life In a Year was not a setback for Cara Delevingne's look, but rather a launching pad – her painted and jeweled head was the perfect top to her Chanel pantsuit. Image via REX

2018: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination

Receiving the stamp of approval from Pope Francis himself, 2018 was probably the most exciting Met Gala yet. Every look seemed to embody the usual enthusiasm of Rihanna or Lady Gaga. Jeweled dresses and headpieces were popular choices, along with an array of red, black, white and gold colors.

Winnie Harlow in Tommy Hilfiger. Image via Vogue

As for the 2019 Met Gala, it isn’t certain what we can expect just yet. The decided theme is Camp: Notes on Fashion, but designers could go just about any way with this. However, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, Serena Williams and Gucci designer Alessandro Michele are the co-chairs for 2019, so we can be sure to expect something great. Lady Gaga has always been known for her bold fashion choices and Harry Styles has been partnering with Gucci since 2015. Every year, the most boring red carpet looks are the ones that fall perfectly in line with the theme. With Camp being such a vague theme choice, it’s hopeful that we can expect a lot of variation and a lot of statement pieces. One thing is for sure – everyone must be dressed over-the-top in order to be featured on a “Best Red Carpet Looks” list. And personally, I cannot wait to see what Rihanna ends up wearing.

Graphics via Angela Cheng. Images via Getty Images and The Met Store.