Since 2005, the Met Gala has traditionally been held on the first Monday in May, with the 2024 edition slated for May 6 in New York City. (Images: Instagram)
Right ahead of Met Monday here is a quick walk down the memory lane to all the Met Gala themes that have wowed people across the globe since 2014-2023
The Met Gala red carpet is an unparalleled event in the fashion realm, drawing luminaries from diverse fields such as music, film, sports, and modelling. These notable figures gather at the Metropolitan Museum and showcase their breathtaking and distinctive ensembles. From Rihanna’s awe-inspiring gowns to Kim Kardashian’s daring choices, attendees align their attire with the event’s annual theme.
This year’s theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” centres around “The Garden of Time,” inviting guests to interpret it in their attire. Since 2005, the Met Gala has traditionally been held on the first Monday in May, with the 2024 edition slated for May 6 in New York City. As anticipation mounts for how celebrities will interpret the 2024 theme, let’s reminisce about some unforgettable themes from past galas.
- Karl Lagerfeld:A Line of Beauty (2023) – The 2023 Met Gala celebrated the legacy of Karl Lagerfeld, the iconic fashion designer known for his controversial yet prominent work. During the night, guests paid tribute to Lagerfeld by wearing designs from his fashion houses and iconic signature pieces, such as his black and white attire with fingerless gloves.
- In America: An Anthology of Fashion (2022):The 2022 Met Gala paid homage to American fashion icons of the industry. Attendees were instructed to wear dresses related to “gilded glamour.” While Blake Lively perfectly followed the theme, Kim Kardashian’s tribute to Marilyn Monroe caught everyone’s attention.
- In America: A Lexicon of Fashion (2021):While the event was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Met Gala returned in 2021 with a focus on modern American fashion designers from numerous backgrounds.
- Camp: Notes on Fashion (2019):Inspired by Susan Sontag’s essay of the same name, the 2019 Met Gala celebrated camp fashion. No official dress code was provided, which allowed guests to come up with out-of-the-box ideas.
- Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (2018):The 2018 Met Gala blended fashion and religion. Guests followed the theme of “Sunday Best” inspired by religious art. Rihanna stole the show with her daring Pope-inspired outfit.
- Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons Art of the In-Between (2017): During that time, the Met Gala featured the innovative work of Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo. While some guests wore Kawakubo’s original creations, others interpreted the theme in their own unique ways.
- Manus x Machina Fashion in an Age of Technology (2016):Guests at the 2016 Met Gala explored the fusion of handmade and machine-made fashion. The dress code for the event was “tech white tie,” where celebrities arrived in sophisticated and futuristic attire.
- China Through the Looking Glass (2015):The gala took inspiration from Chinese culture and its influence on Western fashion. While the theme was appreciated, the event sparked controversy, as viewers criticised a few celebrities for stereotyping the culture.
- Charles James: Beyond Fashion (2014) The year celebrated the work of Charles James, an English-American designer popular among young fashion enthusiasts. The dress code was “White Tie and Decoration,” which paid homage to James’s timeless elegance and creativity.