From Kim Kardashian‘s all-black Balenciaga ensemble to Jared Leto’s unique choice of carrying his own head, here are some of the most unconventional Met Gala outfits to date. Fashion’s grandest event, held annually on the first Monday of May, attracts celebrities who bring their fashion prowess to the iconic Met steps. With a different theme each year, stars often push the boundaries in their attire, resulting in some of the most memorable and outrageous looks of the year.
This year, the Met Gala theme revolves around “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” with the dress code suggesting “The Garden of Time.” This open-ended theme sparks creativity among attendees and their stylists, allowing for interpretations as varied as the stars themselves. The theme draws inspiration from the Costume Institute’s collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, featuring delicate garments often displayed lying down in glass cases, reminiscent of the slumbering princess herself.
Michael Bolton, the curator of the Costume Institute, emphasized the profound transformation that occurs when a costume becomes part of the Met’s collection. Once integrated, these garments become static artifacts, devoid of their original sensory qualities such as movement, scent, sound, and touch. Bolton’s intention with the collection is to reignite the sensory experience associated with the clothing, aiming to evoke a deeper appreciation among viewers.
Leading the event is Vogue’s Anna Wintour, with support from co-chairs Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth. Together, they will orchestrate the Met Gala, an annual celebration of fashion and art.
The upcoming exhibit, titled “Sleeping Beauties,” is set to debut on May 10 at The Met, running until September 2. Bolton expressed his desire to invigorate the museum’s extensive collection of 33,000 pieces, many of which have remained unseen. For this year’s showcase, approximately 250 designs spanning four centuries have been carefully selected. The curator’s objective is to engage museum-goers using multiple senses, transcending mere visual appreciation to include olfactory and auditory experiences.
Jared Leto once again captured attention at the Met Gala with his distinctive style. Embracing the theme “In honor of Karl” Lagerfeld, the Morbius actor paid homage by portraying Lagerfeld’s cherished pet cat, Choupette.
Doja Cat embraced the theme with her rendition of Choupette, joining Jared Leto in the feline-inspired ensemble. Adorned with cat prosthetics, claws, and a diamond headpiece featuring cat ears, she made a striking debut at her inaugural Met Gala appearance. Reflecting on the event during the Vogue livestream, she remarked, “This is my first Met. It’s really not bad. Normally it’s kinda bad. I feel nice, I feel relaxed here. I don’t know — maybe it’s the beige. I feel really calm, it’s very nice.”
Lil Nas X showcased his flair for avant-garde fashion at the Met Gala. The rapper opted for a daring look, donning a metallic Dior Men thong paired with silver body paint embellished with pearls and crystals. While pushing boundaries, he also paid a subtle homage to Lagerfeld’s cat by incorporating silver whiskers into his ensemble.
Cara Delevingne made a bold statement at the event, donning a striking red Dior Haute Couture suit. However, it wasn’t just the suit that caught everyone’s attention. Delevingne surprised onlookers by removing the blazer to reveal a unique ensemble underneath. Her outfit featured gold paint and pasties, complemented by butterfly-themed body jewelry, creating a captivating and unconventional look.
Kim Kardashian made a striking appearance at the Met Gala, shrouding herself in an air of mystery with a black Balenciaga haute couture gown featuring a coordinating train and mask. Her ensemble left attendees and viewers speculating about the identity behind the attire. Reflecting on the experience in a Vogue interview from February 2022, Kardashian revealed that she initially hesitated about the bold look but was persuaded by the creative director and team at Balenciaga.
Dan Levy, known for his role in “Schitt’s Creek” and co-creation of the show, marked his first appearance at the Met Gala. His attire conveyed a poignant message on LGBTQ equality, drawing inspiration from the artworks of David Wojnarowicz, a prominent artist and AIDS activist whose legacy endures despite his passing in 1992.
Evan Mock, known for his role in the Gossip Girl reboot, graced the Met Gala with a memorable debut. He sported a spiked mask, paired with mismatched socks and chunky silver jewelry, all complementing a Thom Browne dress jacket. The jacket featured safety pins adorning the sleeves and torso, along with long shorts to complete the unique ensemble.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas embraced the camp theme of the year with gusto. She wore a stunning Dior Haute couture gown featuring a matching crown, intricate cage detailing on the corset, vibrant feathers, and a striking cape.
Cardi B made a stunning entrance at the Met Gala, donning a striking custom Thom Browne gown adorned with an impressive 30,000 feathers. Crafted over 2,000 hours by a team of 35 artisans, the gown also boasted unique 44-carat ruby nipples, specially created by Stefere Jewelry.
Janelle Monaé embraced the Camp: Notes on Fashion theme with a striking outfit. She wore a unique ensemble designed by Christian Siriano, which included a deconstructed-face gown adorned with four stacked top hats, asymmetrical sleeves, and a blinking eye complemented by feather lashes. Monaé and her stylist, Alexxandra Mandelkorn, aimed to showcase “the playful, theatrical, and artistic side of camp,” as Mandelkorn shared with THR during that period.
Jared Leto made a statement at the Met Gala by showcasing a distinctive accessory: a replica of his own head. Wearing a Gucci outfit designed by Alessandro Michele, the actor sported a long red turtleneck dress adorned with a string of dangling diamonds.
Frances McDormand’s attire at the Met Gala may not have perfectly aligned with the event’s theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” as she opted for a floral-inspired ensemble. Nevertheless, she confidently rocked her outfit, capturing attention with her unique style. McDormand was photographed on the red carpet alongside designer Pierpaolo Piccioli and Anne Hathaway, showcasing her custom Valentino creation.
Rihanna once again captivated fans with her highly anticipated Met Gala ensemble. The Grammy-winning singer stunned in a striking Comme des Garçons creation, featuring intricate layers of floral fabrics. Her choice paid homage to the theme of the year, inspired by the Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between exhibit.
Madonna made a bold statement at the Met Gala’s Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology event. She wore a daring Givenchy bodysuit with bondage-inspired elements, including a thong design, paired with draped lace, thigh-high leather boots, body jewelry, and strategic cutouts. Madonna later clarified on Instagram, describing her outfit as a “political statement” in response to criticism over its risqué nature. She expressed frustration at the continued challenges faced by women’s rights, emphasizing that despite progress, significant hurdles remain.
Solange made a statement at the Met Gala’s China: Through the Looking Glass exhibit. She donned a futuristic Giles outfit, evoking imagery of a Chinese paper fan. The ensemble boasted a galactic print, complemented by black pumps and a sophisticated beauty style.
Katy Perry graced the gala carpet with her signature bold style, capturing attention with her memorable ensembles. Two years later, in 2017, Perry took on the role of co-chair for the event. On this occasion, she donned a striking red ensemble, featuring an embroidered wool coat layered over a red tulle and chiffon dress. The outfit was adorned with satin ribbon embellishments and complemented by a silk veil, showcasing Perry’s penchant for extravagant fashion choices.
Marc Jacobs opted for a casual look at the Met Gala event themed “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations,” donning a Commes des Garçons black lace tunic layered over white boxers. Jacobs expressed his desire to avoid the traditional tuxedo, aiming for a more unconventional attire that aligned with the celebration of nonconformity epitomized by Miuccia Prada’s designs.
