Everyone remembers their first time at the Met Gala (we’re speaking from assumptions, not experience). It’s quite a huge deal to be invited to the annual benefit for the Costume Institute, be personally dressed by a designer, walk the iconic carpeted steps into one of the biggest—and arguably most mysterious—fashion parties of the year. But in case Rihanna, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kate Moss have forgotten that special night, we’re here with a little reminder.
In honor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s most well-dressed event of the year, we hunted down some of our favorite guests’ first-time looks. Plus, we’ve paired them with recent outfits as well. It’s a testament to not only how personal style can change (see Victoria Beckham swapping early-aughts sparkle for her most signature minimal aesthetic) but also how others evolved into quite the enthusiastic theme-party dresser (i.e., Rihanna in her jaw-dropping Guo Pei ensemble from 2015).
Keep scrolling to reacquaint yourself with many of the best looks and biggest style evolutions before 2021's September Met Gala.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Year: 1995
Theme: Haute Couture
On Gwyneth Paltrow: Calvin Klein
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
On Gwyneth Paltrow: Calvin Klein by Appointment custom dress
Year: 2019
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion
On Gwyneth Paltrow: Chloé dress; Jimmy Choo shoes; Jewels by G jewelry
Anna Wintour
Year: 1988
Theme: From Queen to Empress: Victorian Dress 1837–1888
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
On Anna Wintour: Chanel dress
Year: 2019
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion
On Anna Wintour: Chanel S/S 19 Haute Couture
Beyoncé
Year: 2008
Theme: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
On Beyoncé: Armani Privé dress
Year: 2016
Theme: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology
On Beyoncé: Givenchy dress
Blake Lively
Year: 2008
Theme: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
On Blake Lively: Ralph Lauren dress
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
On Blake Lively: Atelier Versace dress
Rihanna
Year: 2007
Theme: Poiret: King of Fashion
On Rihanna: Georges Chakra dress
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
On Rhianna: Comme des Garçons
Kate Moss
Year: 1995
Theme: Haute Couture
On Kate Moss: Calvin Klein dress
Year: 2008
Theme: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
On Kate Moss: Stella McCartney dress
Year: 2019
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion
On Kate Moss: Marc Jacobs gown; Jimmy Choo clutch
Victoria Beckham
Year: 2003
Theme: Goddess: The Classical Mode
On Victoria Beckham: Dolce & Gabbana
Year: 2014
Theme: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
On Victoria Beckham: Her own design
Gisele Bündchen
Year: 1999
Theme: Rock Style
On Gisele Bündchen: Versace dress
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
On Gisele Bündchen: Stella McCartney dress
Jennifer Lopez
Year: 1999
Theme: Rock Style
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
On Jennifer Lopez: Valentino dress
Year: 2019
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion
On Jennifer Lopez: Versace dress; Judith Leiber clutch; Harry Winston Jewelry
Kate Hudson
Year: 2003
Theme: Goddess: The Classical Mode
On Kate Hudson: Stella McCartney dress (designer pictured)
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
On Kate Hudson: Stella McCartney dress
Selena Gomez
Year: 2014
Theme: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
On Selena Gomez: Diane von Furstenberg dress
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
On Selena Gomez: Coach custom dress
Naomi Campbell
Year: 1990
Theme: Théâtre de la Mode—Fashion Dolls: The Survival of Haute Couture
On Naomi Campbell: Versace jacket and dress
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
On Naomi Campbell: Alaïa dress
Year: 2019
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion
On Naomi Campbell: Valentino dress; Bulgari jewelry
Sarah Jessica Parker
Year: 1995
Theme: Haute Couture
Year: 2016
Theme: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology
On Sarah Jessica Parker: Monse jacket; SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker heels
Katy Perry
Year: 2009
Theme: The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion
On Katy Perry: Tommy Hilfiger
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between Costume Institute Gala
On Katy Perry: Comme des Garçons
Year: 2019
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion
On Katy Perry: Moschino dress made with 7000 crystals and crystal lighting components from Swarovski
Mandy Moore
Year: 2004
Theme: Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century
On Mandy Moore: Proenza Schouler dress
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
On Mandy Moore: Michael Kors
Kim Kardashian West
Year: 2013
Theme: Punk: Chaos to Couture
On Kim Kardashian West: Givenchy dress and shoes
Year: 2017
Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
On Kim Kardashian West: Vivienne Westwood Couture
Year: 2019
Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion
On Kim Kardashian West: Mugler dress; Yeezy shoes
This post was published at an earlier date and has been updated.
Up Next: A Look Back at Our Favorite Met Gala Looks Ever
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Sorry to My Black Coats, But Chic Women in NYC Convinced Me to Prioritize This Color InsteadFrom Gisele to Katie.
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Victoria Beckham Just Swapped Her Puddle Pants for This Classic '90s TrendA timeless design.
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J.Lo Wore the Elegant Trend That Makes Every Outfit Look Like It Came From an Audrey Hepburn MovieFrom Charade to Breakfast at Tiffany's.
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Victoria and Harper Beckham Just Wore the Same Pretty Winter Trend on a Mother-Daughter Date NightWhat a moment!
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J.Lo Somehow Just Made Denim Feel Like a Totally Normal Choice for a 5-Hour FlightNow, I want to wear jeans on an airplane.
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J.Lo Just Wore This Highly Controversial Trend in the Most Elegant Way PossibleShe can do anything.
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J.Lo Just Wore the Pants Trend London Women Wear Instead of Skinny JeansThe perfect alternative.
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Blake Lively Just Wore a Crystal-Encrusted Chain-Mail Minidress on the Red CarpetSee the photos.
