Yahoo Style
31 of the Most Epic Met Ball Looks of All Time
Dora FungMarket Director
Updated
Cher in custom Bob Mackie at the Met Ball, 1974
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The one-named wonder wore a custom creation by Bob Mackie for the second official gala. Her hair was sleek, her makeup was strong, but the drama was all in the dress. The sheer fabric, adorned with rhinestones and feathers, was pure perfection.
Marisa Berenson in a sequin tunic and pants, 1974
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Seventies chic was the only way to go when it came to the 1974 exhibition which was dedicated to “Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design.”
Tina Chow and husband Michael Chow, 1980
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Tina Chow was the muse to the darlings of New York City, from Warhol to illustrator Antonio Lopez to Calvin Klein. Standing out where ever she went, that year’s MET Gala was no different.
Diana Vreeland in a black polka dot skirt, 1981
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There would be no Costume Institute gala would be complete without the doyenne of fashion. In addition, this woman did not go home early, she stayed out and partied with the kids!
Anna Wintour in a short silk dress with fur coat, 1994
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Back in the ’90s, the Vogue editor donned a short, silky lingerie-inspired dress with an oversize fur coat (her version of grunge perhaps?). She’s worn a long gown ever since.
Kate Moss, Calvin Klein, and Christy Turlington, 1995
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At the height of her Calvin Klein fame, Moss wore a simple mellow yellow Calvin Klein dress, a fresh dewy face that looked like she had on no makeup, her hair down, and no jewelry. She managed to outshine everyone else.
Princess Diana in a blue Galliano for Dior gown, 1996
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Princess Diana in a blue Galliano for Dior gown and looking every bit the glamorous fashion icon she went on to be!
Amber Valetta in a gold Versace jumpsuit, 1999
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Miss Valetta in a gold Versace jumpsuit looked more like a rock star than a model while attending the “Gianni Versace” exhibit that year.
Stella Tennant wears Yohji Yamamoto, 2003
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Stella Tennant looked like a goddess in the flowing dress which was paired with a Yohji Yamamoto jacket.
Scarlett Johansson in Calvin Klein, 2004
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The actress brought the glamour (and her famous curves) in a silky Calvin Klein creation circa 2004.
Ashley Olsen in custom Badgley Mischka, 2006
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The actress and budding mogul brought her own brand of sexiness to a covered up look by Badgley Mischa. It was très elegant and chic beyond compare.
Sarah Jessica Parker with Alexander McQueen, 2006
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For the “Anglomania” exhibit, Sarah Jessica Parker wore Alexander McQueen and arrived with the designer as her date. The dress itself was sheer perfection, but the tartan twist was made the look so special.
Cate Blanchett in a gold fringe Balenciaga dress, 2007
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At the “Paul Poiret” exhibit in 2007, Cate Blanchett wore a gold fringe Balenciaga column dress that was the definition of what a woman should look like at the Met Gala.
Jennifer Connelly in Balenciaga, 2007
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This sleek and sophisticated black-and-white look was definitely one of the standouts from that year.
Kate Bosworth in Prada, 2007
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The actress was stunning not only because of the intricate way that the hem of the dress was folded, but also her hair was and makeup was subtle but glamorous.
Shalom Harlow in Nina Ricci, 2009
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The supermodel proved her mettle in this voluminous dress that was designed by then creative director Olivier Theyskens.
Kate Moss in custom Marc Jacobs, 2009
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For the “Model as Muse” exhibition, Kate Moss kicked things off with a bang in a custom metallic Marc Jacobs dress with attached train. She wore a matching turban that was adorned with Harry Winston diamonds. Game over!
Zoe Saldana in Michael Kors, 2010
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The actress was so sleek and elegant in this one-shouldered gown by Michael Kors.
Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein, 2010
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The actress looked timeless in a minimalist white column by Calvin Klein.
Taylor Swift in Ralph Lauren, 2010
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Taylor Swift in an off-the-shoulder white Ralph Lauren gown, does it get more American than this?
Blake Lively in Marchesa, 2010
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This Marchesa dress put Blake Lively on the fashion radar. It was bold and fun, and showed off the actress’s youthful spirit.
Ashley Olsen in vintage Christian Dior, 2011
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The designer stole the red carpet at the opening of “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty.” Only an Olsen can get away with sleeves like these and make it look elegant.
Naomi Watts in Stella McCartney, 2012
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This scarlet-colored Stella McCartney gown was so pretty on the actress.
Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren, 2012
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The actress looked sultry and sexy in this V-cut silver lamé gown.
Kate Bosworth in Prada, 2012
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For the Met party dedicated to “Prada: Impossible Conversations,” Kate Bosworth stood out in a flirty halter dress by the designer. The dark lip and top knot added some drama to the look.
Lauren Santo Domingo in custom Oscar de la Renta, 2012
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The society fixture wore an elegant but dramatic uptown look that was a custom creation by Oscar de la Renta.
Gisele Bundchen in Anthony Vaccarello, 2013
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Tom Brady in a blue tuxedo jacket won for best accessory that year.
Karen Elson in Alexander McQueen, 2013
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The model’s red hair and gold Alexander McQueen frock was the perfect combination against her porcelain skin.
Rooney Mara in Givenchy, 2013
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The gorgeous white dress with dark lip was perfect for the actress who was cohosting the “Punk: Chaos as Couture” exhibition opening that year.
Rihanna in Stella McCartney, 2014
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What’s a best dressed slideshow without Rihanna? Here the singer shows off her enviable abs in a white crop top with matching skirt by Stella McCartney.
Giovanna Battaglia in Dolce & Gabbana, 2014
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For the “Charles James” exhibit in 2014, stylist Giovanna Battaglia wore Dolce & Gabbana and embodied a modern-day Claudia Cardinale in Visconti’s The Leopard.
Ashley Olsen in vintage Chanel & Mary-Kate Olsen in vintage Gianfranco Ferre, 2014
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The Olsen twins were sensational in their voluminous vintage gowns.
The annual Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the fashion industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, Grammy’s, CFDAs, and Tony Awards all rolled into one. It’s the golden ticket for every designer, model, musician, and celebrity. The extravaganza is set to take place on Monday in NYC. In honor of the occasion, we take a look back at the best red carpet moments over the past 40-plus years.
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