The Met Gala is an annual extravaganza that brings together the worlds of art, fashion and celebrity, acquiring the status of a global cultural phenomenon. Over the years, these themes have ranged from the celestial to the surreal, each one sparking conversations and capturing the zeitgeist of the moment. Often dubbed as ‘fashion’s biggest night out,’ the Met Gala transcends the boundaries establishing itself as a fusion of culture, art and style giving designers a platform to showcase their avant-garde creations. At its heart lies the theme, a creative challenge that sets the tone for the evening and inspires celebrities to push the boundaries of fashion and imagination. Take a look at the thousand-word journey through the most iconic Met Gala themes, where fashion meets art in a whirlwind of style and innovation.

1. Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion – 2024

The 2024 Met Gala, themed ‘The Garden of Time’ showcased A-listers donning a stylish, stunning and unexpected array of ensembles. This year’s gala also marks the opening of the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, titled ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.’ Gigi Hadid looked absolutely breathtaking in a white off-shoulder corset dress with black duchesses satin and 3D yellow roses.

2. Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty – 2023

The Met Gala honored the late designer Karl Lagerfeld with a night of references to his style and his immense influence in the fashion world. Some celebrities wore Lagerfeld’s designs for Chanel, Fendi, Balmain and Chloé, while others turned his one of a kind way of dressing, which combined black, white and leather for his everyday wear and later in life inspired the creative behind his eponymous name. Doja Cat paid a tribute to Lagerfeld’ beloved cat, Choupette adorning a hand-beaded gown along with prosthetics recreating the feline heiress.

3. In America: An Anthology of Fashion – 2022

The theme of the 2022 Met Gala, celebrated two centuries of American identity through fashion’s eyes. ‘Gilded Glamour,’ as it was titled, graced the gala’s red carpet making American history references prevalent. Kim Kardashian wore the most recognized garment belonging to Marilyn Monroe, a  nude, form-fitting number shined on the style icon. 

4. In America: A Lexicon of Fashion – 2021

The theme ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’ explores the emotions behind the country’s evolving culture weaving together identities of the everchanging U.S. through time. After a pause due to the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, social hesitance was still prevalent and masks were incorporated into some of the night’s designs. Billie Eilish wore an Oscar De La Renta dress for a cause, calling for the historic house to end its ties to fur. She went all peach in a corseted gown, styling her hair with a Marilyn Monroe-esque bob. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez donned a white gown with a bright red message for Americans flashing ‘Tax the Rich,’ creating a controversy. 

5. About Time – 2020

In honour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 150th anniversary, the theme, entitled ‘About Time,’ offered a retrospective look at a century and a half of fashion’s evolution. Though the 2020 Met Gala was indefinitely postponed due to the pandemic, its theme remains a captivating subject for exploration. Jillian Clark nailed the theme perfectly.

6. Camp: Notes on Fashion – 2019

Guests brought their imagination to the carpet for the 2019 gala rendition. Taking the camp to another level, Jared Leto left everyone awestruck as he carried his own head as an accessory to the carpet showcasing the interpretation of Alessandro Michele’s world of Gucci made heads turn. The head-as-a-handbag accessory was in fact a viral fashion moment Gucci ignited in 2019. As for Leto, he styled his piece with a high-neck red gown, completing the look with a crystal harness.

7. Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination – 2018

Drawing inspiration from Catholicism, the 2018 Met Gala theme explored religious iconography and the influence of medieval art in fashion. Though the theme’s ties to the history of Christ were not well received by some critics who thought fashion should stay out of the church, guests brought to life looks that displayed biblical artifacts like crosses, referenced papal garments, angel wings and halos. Blake Lively turned heads yet again in a Versace look. The gown she donned took over 600 hours to bead, making the flowing train so huge that she had to take a party bus to reach the venue.

8. Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between – 2017

The theme paid tribute to Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo and her Comme des Garçons designs that play with the body’s shape and form. Zendaya embraced a more fantastical designs, pairing shape-shifting silhouettes with florals, inducing more authenticity to a much-subdued theme interpretation. She draped herself in a Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda ball gown featuring tropical parrot print all over it.

9. Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology – 2016

The 2016 Met Gala drew inspiration from the influence of technology in fashion turning it into a spectacular display of metallics and cutting-edge designs. An ode to the artisans all over the world who piece together exquisite Haute Couture creations by giving in thousands of hours into each creation, many of which appeared too intricate and precise to be man-made. Naomi Campbell looked jaw-droppingly stunning in a shimmery fringe gown.

10. China: Through the Looking Glass – 2015

Exploring the craftsmanship of the world’s most celebrated fashion houses, the themes of the Met Gala have never failed to grab eyeballs with the artistic and innovative display of fashion choices exhibited by designers and celebrities adorning spectacular outfits. From celebrating cultural heritage and social change to exploring new artistic movements, each theme of the Met Gala offers a new opportunity for designers to make a statement that resonates far beyond the red carpet. Whether it’s a journey through the looking glass or a celebration of creativity, the Met Gala themes will continue to captivate and inspire audiences for years to come.