RANKING Met Galas by How Well Celebrities Understood the Assignment (2014-24)

2015
The confluence of Chinese art and Western design could have resulted in a colorful and culturally appreciative gala. However, only a few celebrities married formal wear with traditional Chinese elements, as demanded by the ‘Chinese White Tie’ dress code, without crossing over to cultural insensitivity. Rihanna rocked up in a regal yellow gown by Chinese designer Guo Pei[a], and Emily Blunt donned a stunning blue silk dress inspired by the Chinese qipao. Zendaya’s red and black ensemble with solar embroidery was a total win, too. However, Lady Gaga, like many others, chose a silhouette more reminiscent of a Japanese kimono than anything else, paired with controversial makeup. Looking back, most guests played it safe or failed miserably. So, the best-dressed were few and far between.

2014
Big, bold, and beautiful – all guests had to do was tick these boxes, and they probably would have passed. Couturier Charles James was known for his opulent ball gowns, after all. However, paying homage to his flair for structure, innovation, and ornate design was apparently easier said than done. The ‘White Tie with Decoration’ dress code left attendees with rather plain outfits you’d see on any other red carpet. Sure, most of them stuck to the protocol, but very few brought out the essence of the theme. The latter group included Liu Wen[b], Sarah Jessica Parker, Karlie Kloss, and Karolína Kurková. However, well-known style icons like Kim Kardashian and Emma Stone fell flat.

2017
This theme was an open invitation for guests to run wild with their fashion imagination. Rei Kawakubo is a pioneer of the avant-garde and upholds radical experimentation, duality, and originality as the pillars of Comme des Garçons. So, it was apt that the memo was avant-garde black tie. The easiest way to achieve that was to show up in Comme des Garçons, which many celebs like Helen Lasichanh, Rihanna, and Tracee Ellis Ross opted for. Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra and Solange made their marks in oversized versions of a trench coat and a puffer jacket, respectively. They made the headlines for their looks, reestablishing the Met Gala’s reputation as a show of pure artistry. However, for most others, there was not much to write home about.

2019
This was one of the most creative leitmotifs in Met Gala history. The category was ‘studied triviality’, emphasizing the irreverent and ironic nuances of camp. Lady Gaga stole the show, serving four separate looks. Meanwhile, Billy Porter channeled Diana Ross from “Mahogany”. He made a lavish entrance on a palanquin and unfurled his golden wings on the pink carpet, revealing a gilded catsuit. The “Pose” star embodied an Egyptian Sun God and left us blinded by his shine. Katy Perry came as a chandelier, Violet Chachki was an evening glove, and Janelle Monáe was giving … well, Janelle Monáe. However, too many celebs were stuck between trying too hard and not trying enough. Kris Jenner and Harry Styles, we’re looking at you.

2022
Anna Wintour[d] made her expectations clear when she asked guests to evoke gilded glamor in white tie attire. For the most part, the message was heard loud and clear, and celebrities served up grandiosity on a gold platter. Fashion highs included Blake Lively’s stellar New York-inspired copper to blue Versace masterpiece, Gemma Chan and Isabelle Boemeke’s punk-chic leather looks, and Emma Corrin’s homage to the fabulous socialite Evander Berry Wall. An alternate interpretation was also offered up by Riz Ahmed, who dressed down as a tribute to the immigrant working class of the late 1800s. However, some questionable choices were made, too. Kim Kardashian in a Marilyn Monroe dress and Camila Cabello’s confused semi-bridal fit raised eyebrows, but the good far outshined the disappointing.

2016
This was one of those years when the theme of the Met exhibition was much more complex than the dress code of the corresponding Gala. While the former explored the intersection between couture as an art form versus the mass-production of fast fashion, the style guide for celebrities was ‘Tech White Tie’. The majority of guests translated this as a nod to futurism and incorporated metallic or technological elements in their garments. Standouts included Karolína Kurková’s light-up gown, Naomi Watts’s chain-mail dress, and Kate Hudson’s 3D printed Atelier Versace look. That said, even with such an easy theme, there were some, like Sarah Jessica Parker and Kerry Washington, who missed the point.

2024
This Gala had a whimsical dress code – ‘The Garden of Time’. Based on the eponymous short story by J. G. Ballard[f], attendees were asked to ponder themes of fragility, the inevitable passage of time, and nature. Accordingly, Tyla delivered with a sandglass-themed dress, and Elle Fanning embraced the fairytale aspect with an organza and resin gown. Meanwhile, Zendaya reimagined moody gothic elegance in not one, but two relevant looks. Bad Bunny turned heads too, carrying an on-theme sartorial bouquet of Thespesia grandiflora, the national flower of his home, Puerto Rico, roses, and flax, a.k.a the plant that pricked Giambattista Basile’s Sleeping Beauty. The only letdowns were florals for the sake of florals and gorgeous but superficial garb, like Kylie Jenner and Jennifer Lopez's looks.

2023
It’s a pity that one of the most well-done years in Met Gala history was in honor of such a problematic fashion figure. However, Karl Lagerfeld’s contribution to brands like Chanel and Fendi is undeniable. Thanks to his recognizable style, most guests had no trouble finding ways to express their respect for him. Stars like ASAP Rocky, Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, and Pedro Pascal graced the carpet in some variations of black, white, and red. Dua Lipa, Penélope Cruz, Jennie and Nicole Kidman reached for vintage Chanel. The cheekiest takes came from Doja Cat, who alluded to Karl’s feline companion Choupette in a glam kitty look, and Jared Leto, who wore a cat costume. It was all very Karl, but not the most breathtaking event.

2021
It isn’t surprising that a gala where the primary instruction was to celebrate American independence through fashion produced excellent results from Hollywood’s finest. Guests tapped into quintessential motifs of Americana to bring the theme to life. Lupita Nyong'o’s denim gown, Kim Petras’s horse girl aesthetic, and Billie Eilish’s timeless Holiday Barbie scored high with critics. Homages were paid, with Amandla Stenberg saluting African American culture, Keke Palmer commemorating Diana Ross, and Nikkie de Jager[g] honoring activist Marsha P. Johnson. However, the sustainability angle of the exhibition’s theme was a tad underrepresented.

2018
The fashion set showed up and showed out in their Sunday best for this theme. Interestingly, what was expected to be the most restrained Met Gala turned out to be a diverse and multifaceted show celebrating the impact of Catholicism on fashion. Amid the best of the best, Rihanna’s papal ensemble was a clear winner, but there were several runners-up who left a deep impression. This included Zendaya’s Joan of Arc tribute, Ariana Grande’s Sistine Chapel-inspired look, Chadwick Boseman’s suave ivory suit with intricate crosses, and Lena Waithe’s rainbow cape. Very rarely did a celebrity underwhelm us. So, it’s safe to say, not only did our faves understand the assignment, but they passed with flying colors.

If you could own any Met Gala outfit, which one would it be? Tell us in the comments down below!

chee-pao https://forvo.com/search/%E6%97%97%E8%A2%8D/zh/
[b]https://youtu.be/Q3G3RSa8OCs?si=aGl-rZmLrUvvcMQa&t=2
https://youtu.be/nblKbI6pZRk?si=PlspochDwJC9uTnk&t=3
[c]ray kawa-KOO-boh https://forvo.com/search/%E5%B7%9D%E4%B9%85%E4%BF%9D%20%E7%8E%B2/ https://youtu.be/60yGE64Xzs4?si=Kwq_1x3gjNvE2k1x&t=9
LAWSY-chawn https://youtu.be/E6YgWUck4uQ?si=xyrqwe6SRYrpfnun&t=76
[d]Anna Winter - not win-TOUR https://youtu.be/E3ZRpzZ82yc?t=1s
izza-belly bemma-kee https://youtu.be/2RI-J0htevg?si=RWT9WEf6xA1X0QH_&t=79
[e]https://youtu.be/hkztGW8TLdk?si=3WkMWLgDUNEK9mIK&t=10
NAY-OH-MEE Wotts - not NYE-oh-mee https://youtu.be/NQ6YGrSGZpg?t=2
[f]BAL-ard https://youtu.be/SwAGBYh4e8I?si=qKcwPqmLAcp5n7DX&t=20
https://youtu.be/dRVYZiQKbyA?si=gnaeX2nWThmiR3af&t=13
thess-PEE-zshuh or thess-PEE-ZEE-uh granda-FLORE-uh https://forvo.com/search/grandiflora/
jam-bah-TEE-stah bah-ZEE-lay https://youtu.be/Qqd1ZmOkSAU?si=5Jtx1Ssm-Wnzc8ht&t=26 OR https://forvo.com/search/Giambattista%20Basile/
[g]nicky duh YAH-hur https://forvo.com/word/nikkie_de_jager/#nl https://youtu.be/FCnrZ4m_6uw?si=CkXfyRc0ANWqeXx7&t=122 https://youtu.be/V9FmBqriHoE?si=CJv2yr9WkYnPuFWb&t=1