1974 – Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design
Cher arguably invented the naked dress trend at the 1974 gala, which she attended with the dress’ designer Bob Mackie.
1977 – Vanity Fair: A Treasure Trove
TV journalist Barbara Walters was a regular attendee of the annual event throughout the Seventies and Eighties. Here, she adhered to the theme perfectly, dressing in a shimmering one-shouldered gown and diamond earrings for the Treasure Trove dress code. Businesswoman and beauty guru Estée Lauder joined her in a red gown, glittering necklace and silver clutch.
1980 – The Manchu Dragon: Costumes of China, the Chi’ng Dynasty
The Met Gala is known for its incredible guest lists just as much as it is for the extravagant outfits. Here, artist Andy Warhol is pictured in a suave dinner suit for the event.
1981 – The Eighteenth Century Woman
Bianca Jagger stunned in a beautiful strapless full-skirt ball gown.
1983 – Yves Saint Laurent: 25 Years of Design
Actress Brooke Shields wore a classic Eighties look with statement puffed sleeves to the gala which celebrated 25 years of Yves Saint Laurent.
1985 – Costumes of Royal India
Cher was once again joined by designer Bob Mackie for the 1985 Met Gala, where the theme was Costumes of Royal India. She wore a sheer bodysuit teamed with a low-waist skirt.
1990 – Théâtre de la Mode: Fashion Dolls: The Survival of Haute Couture
Naomi Campbell attended her first Met Gala in 1990, arriving with American fashion photographer Francesco Scavullo.
1994 – Orientalism: Visions of the East in Western Dress
Joan Rivers was a regular attendee of the prestigious event throughout the Nineties. For the 1994 gala, she defined Hollywood glamour with an elegant black halter-neck gown.
1995 – Haute Couture
Kate Moss was pictured at the 1995 gala wearing a lemon coloured backless gown, with Calvin Klein (who designed her dress) and Christy Turlington.
1996 – Christian Dior
Back in the 1990s, the Met Gala guest list wasn’t just reserved for celebrities. Diana, Princess of Wales attended the event in a navy lace-trimmed Dior dress accessorised with royal jewels.
1997 – Gianni Versace
Designer Donatella Versace was pictured with Iman at the 1997 Met Gala, which that year paid homage to her brother, Gianni Versace.
1998 – Cubism and Fashion
Although the Met Gala has evolved over the years, it has always remained a good excuse for guests to get dressed up. Claudia Schiffer attended in a silk pink dress with a contrasting green scarf in 1998.
1999 – Rock Style
Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney took the 1999 theme very literally with matching one-shoulder tops that read ‘rock royalty’.
2001 – Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years
Stella McCartney returned to the Met Gala in 2001, in a sequinned red number, hand-in-hand with Gwyneth Paltrow.
2003 – Goddess: The Classical Mode
Kim Cattrall, at the height of Sex and the City’s popularity, donned a shimmering sheer take on the classic black dress in 2003.
2004 – Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century
Models Amber Valetta, Natalia Vodianova and Linda Evangelista took the ’04 theme very seriously in corsets and wigs.
2005 – The House of Chanel
Claire Danes wore a lace, floor-length gown with delicate pink sleeves.
2006 – Anglomania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion
Alexander McQueen walked the red carpet hand-in-hand with Sarah Jessica Parker, both in matching tartan creations of his, in an iconic Met Gala moment.
2007 – Poiret: King of Fashion
Kate Bosworth embodied glamour with her vintage-inspired hair style and a taupe silk dress.
2008 – Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
Victoria and David Beckham arrived for the 2008 gala in glamorous monochrome looks.
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