The first Monday of May every year transforms the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art into a stage with couture, sparking conversations and fashion, making all the statements. As the Met Gala 2026 unveils itself with its theme “Costume Art”, the lines between characters and couture are set to be blurred, and if history is any evidence, only the most excessive, intentional, and audacious looks stand out. As we prepare ourselves for the much-awaited reveal, take a look at the 10 best-dressed Met Gala looks over the years, which left us stunned.
1. Rihanna in Maison Margiela Artisanal Designed By John Galliano, 2018: With the year’s theme being heavenly bodies, Rihanna truly ascended on the carpet in her papal-inspired look, including a heavily embroidered bustier dress, a matching sculptural jacket, and a mitre-style hat created by Stephen Jones Millinery. Bad girl Riri looked truly divine with custom Christian Louboutins and specialised jewellery by Maria Tash.
2. Bad Bunny in Prada, 2025: Attending in a custom chocolate brown Prada suit, with a cropped carob brown mohair suit jacket, matching trousers, a tobacco poplin shirt, and a raffia tie, the rapper paid homage to Afro-Caribbean history and the jibaros of the Puerto Rican mountains, echoing the “Jíbaro negro” painting by Oscar Colón Delgado. The added flair was a result of yellow crystal-embellished leather gloves and a straw pava hat crafted by De León Headwear.
3. Lewis Hamilton In Wales Bonner, 2025: With high-key symbolism and perfectly on-theme get-up (Superfine: Tailoring Black Style), Hamilton brought quiet power to the carpet. Continuing his legacy to represent and celebrate black identity and African heritage on the carpet, the ivory suit adorned by the racer was crafted by Wales Bonner to the paintings of Barkley L. Hendricks. The co-chair’s suit included cowrie shells, baobab flowers and was paired with a Stephen Jones beret, a custom Briony Raymond brooch, and shoes designed by Manolo Blahnik.
4. Cardi B in Thom Browne, 2019: Adding drama and an impossibly long 10-foot train, Cardi B lit up the carpet in a voluminous oxblood-coloured gown featuring 30,000 embroidered feathers, and a structural design inspired by the female form. The gown, made of silk organza and tulle, also featured a ruby-adorned headpiece created in collaboration with Stephen Jones.
5. Zendaya in Versace, 2018: Arriving battle-ready for the carpet, this modern-day Joan of Arc is composed of a metallic chainmail look featuring armour-like armour plates, a sleek bob, and Tiffany & Co. jewels, channelling a warrior-saint aesthetic.
6. Madonna in Louis Vuitton, 2009: Pairing risqué and regal, the singer made a comeback on the carpet, embodying the “Model as Muse” theme by referencing 1980s rebellious fashion, styled in a “Playboy-esque” way, in a custom teal blue form-fitting, ruched leather and lace minidress designed by Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton straight from the Louis Vuitton Fall 2009 runway, which she was the face of at the time.
7. Naomi Campbell in Alexander McQueen, 2011: Owning the moment like a true supermodel, Naomi tributed the late designer Alexander McQueen by wearing a striking white, heavily embroidered gown from his Spring/Summer 2011 collection. Pairing the dress with Bridle booties from the Fall/Winter 2011 collection, ivory/diamond drop earrings, and a gold rectangular wristlet, she completed the look with her signature hair updo.
8. A$AP Rocky In AWGE, 2025: The true dandy and Met Gala co-chair, Rocky, wore a custom AWGE ensemble designed by himself and Matthew Henson to the reputed event. featuring a wool twill suit with a parka, paying homage to his roots in Harlem, the fit was accessorised with a diamond-encrusted umbrella, jewel-encrusted collar and custom AWGE x Louboutin shoes, blending streetwear with high-fashion, utilitarian tailoring.
9. Teyana Taylor in Prabal Gurung, 2021: In her debut appearance on the carpet, the singer showed up in a bold look, showing off her abs in a silver Prabal Gurung gown with a bikini-style top and a long, flowing skirt with a dramatic train. It was inspired by the famous Venus de Milo sculpture and one of the few daring looks of the night.
10. Kim Kardashian in Thierry Mugler, 2019: Deeming Mugler as the “king of camp” in reference to the year’s theme, Kim redefined red carpet sensuality with a “wet-look, silicon and crystal dress Featuring an extremely tight, custom-made corset by renowned corset-maker Mr. Pearl. With “wet” hair, dew-styled makeup, and crystal droplets on her nails, Kim committed to the look making it one of the most talked-about ensembles on the carpet’s history.
