The Met Gala is known for its wild and outrageous celebrity fashion. It’s the only place where stars confidently walk the Hollywood red carpet dressed as chandeliers, cats, or even with a horse head corset. Some have even shown up carrying unusual accessories—like a bundle of cut-off dreadlocks instead of a date.
Kim Kardashian, one of the most talked-about Met Gala guests, has made headlines more than once with her bold looks. In recent years, she wore a painfully tight designer corset with a ragged cardigan, leaving fans and fashion critics in shock. Back in 2022, her choice to wear Marilyn Monroe’s original gown sparked major controversy and online debates.
This year, the Met Gala 2025 will be held on Monday, May 5. As the world watches, A-list celebrities, fashion influencers, and the elite of luxury fashion are preparing their most daring looks for the biggest fashion event of the year.
While we wait to see who will cause a stir in 2025, let’s take a look back at the most unbelievable Met Gala outfits that went viral. From shocking designs to risky fashion statements, these looks truly define what celebrity fashion trends are all about.
Scroll through the most outrageous Met Gala outfits ever seen, upvote your favorites, and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments!
#1 Lil Nas X, 2023
At the Met Gala 2023, Lil Nas X made headlines with one of the most unforgettable looks of the night. Inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s famous cat, Choupette, his bold outfit was designed by the luxury brand Dior.
The celebrity fashion icon wore only a sparkling thong, with his body covered in silver body paint and hand-placed gemstones. This detailed and artistic look took over 10 hours to complete, making it one of the most unique red carpet fashion moments of the event.
Fashion designers and A-list celebrities are getting ready for Met Gala 2025, which takes place on Monday, May 5 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Known as “fashion’s biggest night out,” the Met Gala is a luxury fashion event where we always expect to see jaw-dropping and sometimes bizarre outfits on the red carpet.
This year’s official theme is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” making it the first time in over 50 years that Black culture is at the heart of the event. It’s a major moment in the world of high fashion and an important chance to honor the influence of Black fashion designers, stylists, and icons.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, the 2025 exhibition will highlight the rich history of Black men’s style and dandyism, from the 1700s all the way to modern-day fashion. The official Met Gala dress code is “Tailored for You,” encouraging guests to wear custom-made, menswear-inspired outfits. This marks the first menswear-focused theme since 2003’s “Men in Skirts.”
To lead the celebration, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams are this year’s co-chairs, alongside Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour. LeBron James will also serve as an honorary chair, adding more star power to this already iconic event.
Get ready for a powerful mix of celebrity style, tailored elegance, and cultural pride at this year’s Met Gala red carpet.
#2 Jared Leto, 2023
At the Met Gala 2023, Jared Leto grabbed everyone’s attention with one of the most talked-about celebrity red carpet moments. He showed up dressed as Karl Lagerfeld’s famous cat, Choupette—wearing a full furry cat costume. The unique costume design was so realistic that many people didn’t even know who was inside at first.
Leto kept the oversized cat head on for a long time, which led to confusion and surprise among other guests. His look quickly went viral and became one of the most unforgettable Met Gala fashion statements of the year.
#3 Fredrik Robertsson, 2022
At the 2022 Met Gala, Fredrik Robertsson turned heads with a stunning futuristic fashion statement. He wore a bold jumpsuit by Iris van Herpen, a designer known for blending high fashion with advanced technology. The outfit was covered in detailed 3D pin-like designs, giving it an almost alien-like appearance.
The metallic, armor-style look flowed smoothly as Robertsson walked, creating a powerful and artistic effect. It perfectly captured the spirit of haute couture innovation—where fashion and art come together. This unforgettable luxury red carpet look was one of the highlights of the night, showcasing the future of 3D fashion technology.
The Met Gala, now one of the world’s most glamorous luxury fashion events, is organized by Vogue Magazine and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. But it didn’t always have the glitz, glamour, and celebrity red carpet drama it’s known for today.
The Gala was first created in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert. Back then, it was a private fundraising event meant to support the Museum’s Costume Institute. There were no Hollywood stars—only New York’s wealthy elite were invited, and their job was to donate generously to the cause.
Everything changed in 1972, when former Vogue editor Diana Vreeland joined as a consultant. Under her influence, the Met Gala started attracting famous names and gaining media attention. By the 2020s, the Gala had transformed into a global fashion showcase, where celebrities and designers began using the red carpet to debut bold, whimsical, and sometimes even outrageous outfits.
Even though the looks can be dramatic or controversial, the event remains a major charity fashion gala, raising millions each year for the arts and celebrating cutting-edge couture.
#4 Frances McDormand, 2018
Oscar-winning actress Frances McDormand stunned fans at the Met Gala’s “Heavenly Bodies” event with a bold and unexpected look. She wore a bright blue cape paired with a massive oversized headpiece, both designed by the iconic fashion house Valentino.
Known for her usually simple style, McDormand surprised everyone with this high-fashion red carpet moment. Her outfit perfectly mixed luxury couture with dramatic flair, matching the Met Gala theme of fashion and religion. The look proved that this Hollywood star can shine just as brightly in celebrity fashion as she does on the big screen.
#5 Grimes, 2021
At the Met Gala 2021, Grimes embraced her signature “neo-medieval ethereal” style with a bold and unforgettable look. She wore a futuristic Iris van Herpen gown featuring armored details and a dramatic hood that partially covered her face, adding mystery to her appearance.
But what truly stole the spotlight was the real sword she carried—massive, symbolic, and straight out of a cyberpunk fantasy world. The look blended futuristic fashion, fantasy themes, and celebrity red carpet style, making it one of the most talked-about high fashion moments of the night.
#6 Rihanna, 2015
At the 2015 Met Gala, Rihanna completely stole the spotlight with a massive, sunshine-yellow cape gown designed by Guo Pei, a famous Chinese couture designer. The hand-embroidered masterpiece featured a 16-foot fur-trimmed train so large it needed a full team just to carry it across the Met Gala red carpet.
The bold look instantly went viral, sparking countless fashion memes, but Rihanna’s dedication to the event’s theme—“China: Through the Looking Glass”—was clear. While some critics called it too much, her powerful mix of cultural tribute and fashion spectacle turned out to be iconic.
This unforgettable moment sealed her reputation as a true celebrity fashion icon and one of the Met Gala’s ultimate risk-takers—never afraid to push limits with high-end designer fashion.
Kim Kardashian is no stranger to making headlines at the Met Gala, and her 2022 appearance was one of the most talked-about yet. She arrived wearing the original Marilyn Monroe gown, the same rhinestone-covered dress Monroe wore in 1962 to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy at a famous fundraiser. The dress was borrowed from Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and it’s considered a priceless piece of Hollywood fashion history.
To fit into the vintage designer dress, Kim admitted to doing “everything” to quickly lose weight, which caused major backlash online. Many felt she was promoting unrealistic celebrity weight loss standards, especially to young women. The 2022 Met Gala theme was “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” and while Kim’s outfit fit the theme, it came with heavy criticism.
Later, reports claimed that the historic gown showed signs of damage after she wore it, sparking even more controversy. Her choice raised serious questions about the risks of wearing iconic fashion pieces for one-time appearances.
#7 Janelle Monáe, 2023
At the 2023 Met Gala, Janelle Monáe wowed the crowd with one of the most dramatic and creative outfits of the night. Her look, designed by Thom Browne, started as a bold black-and-white structured coat—but the real surprise came when she removed it mid-red carpet, revealing a sheer pannier dress and a bikini underneath.
The entire transformation was a clever tribute to the night’s theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” Monáe blended Lagerfeld’s classic elegance with Thom Browne’s avant-garde style, turning her outfit into a moment of high fashion theater. She even joked that the look was “a perfect threesome of me, Thom, and Karl.”
This unforgettable celebrity fashion reveal combined style, fun, and showmanship, making it one of the top Met Gala 2023 red carpet moments.
#8 Sarah Jessica Parker, 2015
At the 2015 Met Gala, Sarah Jessica Parker made a powerful fashion statement that got everyone talking. Embracing the theme “China: Through the Looking Glass,” she wore a bold, flame-shaped headpiece by Philip Treacy—one of the night’s most talked-about accessories.
The dramatic design looked like blazing fire and instantly went viral, creating tons of memes and social media buzz. While opinions were mixed, no one could deny Parker’s full commitment to the theme. She paired the headpiece with a custom gown by H&M, striking a perfect balance between avant-garde style and accessible designer fashion.
Her fearless look proved that she’s not afraid to take risks and remains a true icon of celebrity red carpet fashion.
#9 Doja Cat, 2023
At the 2023 Met Gala, Doja Cat delivered a truly unforgettable red carpet moment by dressing as Karl Lagerfeld’s famous cat, Choupette. Her outfit went far beyond just fashion—it was a full celebrity costume design experience.
She wore detailed face prosthetics, claw-like nails, and fully transformed into a cat for the night. Even during interviews, she stayed in character by meowing instead of speaking, which quickly went viral online. The look was a fun and bold tribute to Lagerfeld’s beloved pet, showing off Doja Cat’s love for creative fashion expression and performance art.
Her appearance was one of the most talked-about at the Met Gala 2023, blending playfulness with high-end style.
The 2023 Met Gala brought plenty of strange and surprising moments, as celebrities interpreted the theme “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” The event was meant to honor the legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away in 2019 at age 85.
But instead of focusing solely on Lagerfeld’s legacy, many stars decided to spotlight his famous cat, Choupette. In one of the most talked-about celebrity red carpet stories, Kim Kardashian even tried to bring the cat as her date. However, the furry icon wasn’t interested—in fact, Choupette scratched Kardashian during a dress fitting.
The incident was caught on camera and featured in an episode of “The Kardashians,” adding even more drama to the star’s Met Gala journey. It was a mix of fashion tribute, celebrity reality TV, and a little bit of chaos—classic Kardashian style.
#10 Madonna, 2016
At the 2016 Met Gala, Madonna made a bold and unforgettable entrance that perfectly fit the event’s theme, “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.” She wore a daring Givenchy ensemble that mixed high fashion with a powerful political message.
Her look included a bondage-inspired thong bodysuit, lace details, thigh-high leather boots, and strategic cutouts—creating a dramatic and edgy celebrity fashion statement. The outfit received mixed reactions, but Madonna didn’t back down. In a now-deleted Instagram post, she defended her choice, calling it a message about women’s rights, writing: “When it comes to women’s freedom, we are still in the dark ages.”
This moment proved once again that Madonna isn’t just a pop icon—she’s also a fearless voice in the world of provocative red carpet fashion and gender equality in style.
#11 Anna Wintour, 2004
Even the biggest names in fashion history can have their “what was I thinking?” moments—and Anna Wintour’s look at the 2004 Met Gala is one of them. The Vogue editor-in-chief stepped onto the red carpet wearing a pale green, bubble-hem coat-dress covered in sparkling details, layered over a matching gown.
The outfit was meant to align with the evening’s theme, “Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century.” While the look was bold and eye-catching, many were left puzzled by its design. Critics said it hovered somewhere between avant-garde couture and simply confusing fashion.
Still, it was a memorable celebrity red carpet moment—and a reminder that even the most powerful woman in high fashion media isn’t immune to a Met Gala misstep.
#12 Julie Macklowe, 2017
At the 2017 Met Gala, Julie Macklowe turned heads with one of the most unusual and avant-garde fashion choices of the night. She wore an armless creation by Comme des Garçons, a label known for pushing the limits of traditional design.
Her bold outfit quickly caught attention for its unconventional structure, and Macklowe kept things light with a dose of humor. She joked, “I’ve gone as a flying squirrel with no arms tonight… I feel like I need a beer-bong helmet so I can drink. I just hope someone who sits next to me will feed me.”
The look was a perfect example of unconventional couture and playful personality, proving that the Met Gala red carpet is a place where fashion and fun can go hand in hand.
Doja Cat completely stole the spotlight at the 2023 Met Gala with an unforgettable and playful look. She wore a stunning white gown by Oscar de la Renta, complete with a hood and detailed styling that transformed her into Karl Lagerfeld’s famous cat, Choupette.
To fully commit to the role, she added faux kitty ears, sharp claw-like nails, and realistic prosthetic makeup. But the most talked-about moment? During her red carpet interview, instead of speaking, she answered every question by meowing—staying completely in character.
The bold outfit was a mix of high fashion and viral fun, making it one of the most creative celebrity red carpet transformations of the night and a standout Karl Lagerfeld tribute.
#13 Jared Leto, 2019
At the 2019 Met Gala, Jared Leto made one of the most unforgettable entrances in red carpet history. Dressed in a bold red Gucci outfit, he shocked everyone by carrying a lifelike replica of his own head—a bizarre yet perfectly fitting choice for the night’s theme, “Camp: Notes on Fashion.”
The fashion prop stunt instantly went viral. Leto added to the drama by playfully interacting with the prop, even handing it off to fellow star Shawn Mendes at one point, turning the strange accessory into a full-blown celebrity red carpet spectacle.
It was a viral fashion moment that blended humor, high design, and performance—cementing Jared Leto as one of the Met Gala’s most daring style risk-takers.
#14 Shailene Woodley, 2018
At the 2018 Met Gala, Shailene Woodley made a bold entrance with a look that sparked both curiosity and confusion. Her outfit followed the theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”, and was meant to channel Joan of Arc—a strong and historic female figure.
She wore a structured gold and silver metallic dress with a high neckline and dramatic sleeves, giving off the vibe of a futuristic knight’s armor. While the idea was powerful, many felt the look strayed more toward sci-fi fashion than religious symbolism.
Still, it was a standout moment in celebrity red carpet fashion, blending historical inspiration with bold, futuristic couture.
#15 Solange Knowles, 2018
At the 2018 Met Gala, Solange Knowles took a unique approach by letting her Twitter followers choose her outfit. She gave fans five fashion options to vote on, making it one of the most interactive celebrity fashion choices ever seen at the event.
The winning look was a bold design by Iris van Herpen, perfectly aligning with the night’s theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” Known for her futuristic and artistic creations, van Herpen’s design gave Solange a striking and spiritual presence on the Met Gala red carpet.
This look not only embraced avant-garde fashion, but also showed Solange’s commitment to fan engagement and personal style expression.
Tyla, the rising Gen-Z pop star from South Africa, made a stunning debut at the 2024 Met Gala, and her look quickly went viral. Famous for her hit song “Water,” Tyla wore a breathtaking Balmain gown made entirely of sand, shaped like an hourglass—her unique take on the evening’s theme, “The Garden of Time.”
The sand dress was so delicate and tightly fitted that Tyla needed a team of assistants to help her move. In one now-viral video, they were seen lifting her up the steps to keep the gown from falling apart. Later in the evening, the train was cut and transformed into a stylish minidress, allowing her to party in comfort while still turning heads.
Tyla’s look was a perfect mix of artistic fashion, red carpet drama, and celebrity fashion transformation—making her one of the most talked-about stars of the night.
#16 Kim Petras, 2021
Kim Petras made a bold statement at the 2023 Met Gala with a unique and equine-inspired look. The German singer wore an avant-garde outfit featuring a horse head corset, creating a dramatic and eye-catching silhouette that stood out on the red carpet.
Her look was both unconventional and visually striking, perfectly capturing the event’s theme of pushing fashion boundaries and celebrating the art of self-expression. Kim’s fashion choice added a whole new level of creativity to the celebrity red carpet moments of the night.
#17 Amber Valletta, 2004
At the 2004 Met Gala, Amber Valletta went all-in on the theme “Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century” with a dramatic, Marie Antoinette-inspired look. She arrived in a corseted gown, a towering powdered wig, and all the over-the-top details that defined rococo fashion.
Her outfit perfectly captured the 18th-century couture style, and at a time when not many stars were fully embracing the dress code, Valletta stood out. Years later, she told W Magazine, “Looking back on it, I think it’s so badass that I went for it… It was a time when people were just starting to get into the theme.”
Her bold choice remains a classic example of true celebrity style commitment on the Met Gala red carpet.
#18 Katy Perry, 2019
At the 2019 Met Gala, Katy Perry fully embraced the theme “Camp: Notes on Fashion” with a truly unforgettable look. She wore a Moschino chandelier dress—a sparkling silver outfit adorned with three glowing tiers of light-up candles. The final chandelier piece, which sat on her head, weighed nearly 40 pounds, making it one of the most dramatic celebrity fashion spectacles of the night.
Perry told Time that her goal was to keep the performance going all night, joking, “You don’t sit down at the Met.” Her outfit was a perfect mix of over-the-top couture, theatrical design, and red carpet creativity, turning her into a walking centerpiece and one of the evening’s most talked-about stars.
What happens inside the Met Gala is meant to stay a secret. There’s a strict no-phones and no-social-media rule once guests enter the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This helps keep the night exclusive and private.
But according to Vogue, the evening includes more than just fashion. The event starts with cocktails, followed by a luxury dinner—with the 2024 menu created by celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi, known for his restaurants Tatiana in New York and Dōgon in Washington, DC.
There’s also a special musical performance by one or more high-profile artists, adding to the night’s glamour. Guests are also given time to explore the fashion exhibition, which reflects the year’s theme and showcases rare, iconic designs.
It’s more than just a red carpet—it’s a private, star-studded celebration of fashion, art, and culture.
#19 Liv Tyler & Stella McCartney, 1999
At the 1999 Met Gala, Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney made fashion history with one of the most simple yet powerful looks of the night. Instead of wearing traditional gowns, the pair showed up in matching “Rock Royalty” T-shirts, honoring their legendary rock-star fathers.
Their casual Met Gala look was a bold contrast to the event’s formal dress code, and it quickly became an iconic moment of effortless cool. In a later interview with Vogue, McCartney said, “I didn’t come at it intentionally to be rebellious at all. I didn’t know what people wore.”
Tyler added, “It wasn’t really appropriate that we wore those shirts… It was very cool and rebellious of Stella.” Whether planned or not, the look became a symbol of celebrity fashion rebellion and a memorable chapter in Met Gala style history.
#20 Frank Ocean, 2021
At the 2021 Met Gala, Frank Ocean turned heads with one of the most unusual and unforgettable appearances of the night. He brought along a lifelike green robot baby that moved and blinked like a real infant, creating a mix of fascination and discomfort for many onlookers.
The bold accessory was more than just a fashion statement—it was reportedly a clever move to promote his luxury brand, Homer. The robot baby added a futuristic and surreal twist to Ocean’s look, turning his Met Gala red carpet moment into a powerful example of celebrity fashion marketing and brand storytelling.
It was a strange yet strategic choice that blended style, tech, and branding, and it definitely got people talking.
#21 Emma Corrin, 2022
At the 2022 Met Gala, Emma Corrin brought their signature quirky-cool style to the red carpet with a bold and creative look. Inspired by Evander Berry Wall, the 19th-century New York socialite known as the “King of the Dudes,” Corrin’s outfit paid tribute to his over-the-top fashion sense.
The standout piece was a tall, modern bowler hat, paired with an oversized Miu Miu jacket and sleek patent booties. The result was a striking and playful silhouette that blended avant-garde fashion with sharp tailoring.
Corrin’s look was a perfect example of a celebrity fashion statement that’s both unique and stylish—showing exactly why they continue to stand out on every red carpet.
As previously mentioned, the 2025 Met Gala will focus on the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” celebrating the richness and influence of Black fashion and culture. Guests will interpret this powerful theme through tailored, menswear-inspired looks, paying tribute to decades of Black style and creativity.
In 2024, the theme was “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” highlighting delicate, historic garments and how fashion’s past can inspire the future. The year before that, 2023, paid tribute to the legendary Karl Lagerfeld, and many celebrities honored his iconic cat Choupette—turning the red carpet into a runway of playful feline-inspired couture.
The 2021 and 2022 Met Galas were part of a special two-part exhibition focused on American fashion. The first part, in 2021, was called “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” and explored modern American style. In 2022, the second part, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” took a deeper dive into U.S. fashion history. That’s also the year Kim Kardashian made headlines by wearing Marilyn Monroe’s original gown, one of the most iconic moments in Met Gala history.
#22 Solange Knowles, 2017
At the 2017 Met Gala, Solange Knowles fully embraced the event’s avant-garde theme, which honored legendary designer Rei Kawakubo. Her bold look, designed by Thom Browne, stood out as one of the most creative and unexpected of the night.
The outfit blended a puffer jacket and sleeping bag-inspired design, featuring a dramatic quilted train that flowed behind her. To complete the look, she wore ice skate-inspired shoes, adding an extra layer of uniqueness to her red carpet appearance.
Solange’s look was a true celebrity fashion risk, perfectly aligning with the theme and celebrating boundary-pushing design in high fashion.
#23 Marc Jacobs, 2012
At the 2012 Met Gala, Marc Jacobs made a bold and unexpected fashion choice that turned heads. Instead of wearing a traditional tuxedo, he arrived in a black lace tunic by Comme des Garçons, paired with simple white boxers—a look that broke all the typical black-tie red carpet rules.
Jacobs explained his outfit by saying, “I didn’t want to wear a tuxedo and be boring.” His daring style was a perfect match for the night, which celebrated the avant-garde legacy of Prada. The look became a memorable example of avant-garde menswear and a fearless celebrity red carpet statement.
#24 Cara Delevingne, 2022
At the 2022 Met Gala, Cara Delevingne delivered one of the boldest red carpet moments of the night. She arrived in a sleek red Dior Haute Couture suit, but midway down the carpet, she surprised everyone by removing her blazer to reveal a bare torso covered in gold body paint, pasties, and butterfly-themed jewelry.
The striking reveal was a powerful nod to the evening’s theme, “Gilded Glamour,” blending luxury with a message of body positivity and freedom of expression. Later, Cara explained the look represented “the metamorphosis of a butterfly,” symbolizing growth, change, and personal empowerment.
Her appearance was not only a high-fashion spectacle but also a bold celebrity fashion statement about bodily autonomy and embracing individuality.
#25 Helen Lasichanh And Pharrell Williams, 2017
At the 2017 Met Gala, Helen Lasichanh made a bold fashion statement in a Comme des Garçons outfit that stood out for its distinctive, sculptural design. The look perfectly captured the evening’s tribute to Rei Kawakubo, known for pushing the boundaries of fashion with avant-garde style.
Pharrell Williams, who attended alongside her, wore ripped Comme des Garçons jeans, keeping things casual yet still on-theme. While his outfit was more understated, it complemented Helen’s daring look and showed how fashion can be both expressive and respectful of the event’s creative vision.
Together, they embraced the Met Gala 2017 theme, making a memorable and stylish red carpet appearance.
#26 Kim Kardashian, 2021
At the 2021 Met Gala, Kim Kardashian made headlines with her mysterious, all-black Balenciaga outfit, which completely covered her from head to toe—even her face. Though she initially had doubts about the look, she later explained her decision in an interview with Vogue.
According to Kim, Balenciaga’s creative director, Demna Gvasalia, told her, “This is a costume gala. This is not a Vanity Fair party where everyone looks beautiful. There’s a theme and you have to wear the mask. That is the look.”
By fully embracing the theme, Kim delivered a bold and unforgettable celebrity fashion moment that sparked conversation worldwide. Her choice showed a deep fashion commitment and reminded everyone that the Met Gala is not just about beauty—it’s about art, expression, and creative risk.
#27 Evan Mock, 2021
At the 2021 Met Gala, Evan Mock, star of the Gossip Girl reboot, made a bold debut with a rebellious, Gen-Z fashion statement. He wore a deconstructed Thom Browne outfit that mixed prep-school style with edgy punk influences.
His look featured a spiked face mask, a dress jacket decorated with safety pins, and long tailored shorts. He added to the rebellious vibe with mismatched socks and chunky silver jewelry. Though carefully crafted, the outfit gave off a cool, messy energy that stood out.
Mock’s daring ensemble perfectly matched the night’s theme, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” by showing how the next generation is reshaping American style with creativity and bold individuality.
#28 Jaden Smith, 2017
At the 2017 Met Gala, Jaden Smith made one of the most unusual and talked-about entrances of the night. Dressed in a sleek black Louis Vuitton suit, his outfit was classic—but what really grabbed attention was the accessory in his hand: his own dreadlocks.
Jaden had recently shaved off his hair for a movie role, and instead of leaving it behind, he chose to bring it with him. When asked why, he replied, “Since I couldn’t bring my sister as a date, I brought my old hair.”
The look combined high fashion with personal meaning, turning a simple suit into an unforgettable celebrity red carpet moment. It’s a perfect example of how stars use the Met Gala to express identity in bold and creative ways.
#29 Doja Cat, 2024
At the 2024 Met Gala, Doja Cat grabbed major attention with a bold and unexpected look. She wore a sheer, wet-look white T-shirt dress that clung to her body, giving the appearance of liquid-like fabric. The daring outfit was designed by Vetements’ Guram Gvasalia, known for pushing boundaries in fashion.
Instead of going with the usual rich gowns and dramatic silhouettes for the “Sleeping Beauties” theme, Doja Cat chose to stand out with raw, deconstructed glamour. Her minimalist look was provocative, stylish, and a true celebrity fashion risk—proving that simplicity can still make a powerful statement on the Met Gala red carpet.
#30 Nicki Minaj, 2022
At the 2022 Met Gala, Nicki Minaj made a bold fashion statement with a creative twist on a classic accessory: the baseball cap. Her custom Burberry outfit, designed by Riccardo Tisci, turned the everyday cap into a high-fashion headpiece with an exaggerated crown that added drama to her look.
The outfit included leather leggings, a statement belt, and layers of tulle and leather, blending edgy streetwear with elegant couture. She completed the look with sparkling body jewelry, giving her a touch of celestial red carpet glamour.
Nicki’s daring ensemble perfectly captured the spirit of the Met Gala, showing how celebrity fashion can mix urban style with luxury design.
