NEW YORK -- The Met Gala is this Monday, and we're counting down some of the most iconic looks from the best dressed stars, like the one and only Rihanna and two of this year's co-chairs Bad Bunny and Zendaya.
Bad Bunny's all white look, 2023 Met Gala
Bad Bunny will be among the Met Gala co-chairs this year, along with Zendaya, who also made the best-dressed list, Jennifer Lopez and Chris Hemsworth.
Coming off a red-hot year in 2022, when he released his chart-topping album "Un Verano Sin Ti," the Puerto Rican star was a vision in white at the 2023 Met Gala.
Last year's theme was "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," and Bad Bunny wore a white tweed suit from Jacquemus with a bold cutout revealing his back. He carried a 26-foot cape with flower details and finished the look with pearl stud earrings.
It was designer Simone Porte Jacquemus' first time at the Met Gala and he told Vogue he knew who he wanted to bring as his guest.
"Bad Bunny is my favorite artist, it's a dream to dress him for my first Met Gala," Jacqumeus said in the interview. "I was so inspired by him, he is the ultimate Jacquemus muse."
Michaela Coel dripping in gold, 2023 Met Gala
Michaela Coel was a co-chair for the 2023 Met Gala and she dazzled in a floor-length gown by Schiaparelli that was covered in crystals, accompanied by a large diamond necklace and chunky gold earrings.
The "I May Destroy You" creator's skin was glowing, with the help of makeup artist Bernicia Boateng, who told Vogue she "wanted her skin to beam and almost speak for her."
"Anna [Wintour] has been a real champion of me, she put me on the cover of American Vogue," Coel said in a behind-the-scenes interview as she got ready for the gala. "She said that I am not afraid to be myself... and that's why she asked me to co-chair."
Her fellow co-chairs included Penélope Cruz, Roger Federer and Dua Lipa.
Doja Cat goes full cat, 2023 Met Gala
Love it or hate it, Doja Cat did not hold back for the 2023 Met Gala. It was her first time attending, and she fully embraced -- and embodied -- the theme, dressing up as Karl Lagerfeld's beloved cat, a Burmese named Choupette.
Doja Cat made a bold statement at the event by wearing an extravagant Oscar de la Renta gown that featured cat ears on the hood and a large diamond hanging in front of her forehead. Her cat transformation was further enhanced by her makeup, which included striking black cat eyeliner and a nose that resembled a feline's.
Throughout the red carpet interview, the Grammy winner remained in character, responding to every question with a playful "meow."
Choupette, a beloved feline companion reportedly gifted to Lagerfeld by French model Baptiste Giabiconi, boasts her own Instagram account with over a quarter million followers.
Blake Lively's NYC inspired gown, 2022 Met Gala
Blake Lively has been a fixture at the Met Gala for more than ten years, consistently upping the ante with her fashion choices. For the 2022 Met Gala, she dazzled in an Atelier Versace gown inspired by iconic New York City landmarks to align with the theme "In America: An Anthology of Fashion."
Lively made a grand entrance reminiscent of her "Gossip Girl" character Serena Van Der Woodsen, wearing a gown that transitioned from a metallic bodice and bow mirroring the Manhattan skyline and Empire State Building to a flowing blue-green train inspired by Grand Central's celestial ceiling. Completing her look was a seven-tier crown symbolizing the Statue of Liberty.
Her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accompanied her as a co-chair for the event, dressed in a sleek black velvet tuxedo by Ralph Lauren.
Lively also made the best-dressed list with another Versace gown at the 2018 Met Gala in a jeweled bodice and detailed embroidery, paired with a halo headpiece.
Lil Nas X's big reveal, 2021 Met Gala
Speaking of epic entrances, Lil Nas X put on a show at the 2021 Met Gala with three distinct looks from Donatella Versace.
He started in a large, gold cape that was then removed to reveal a golden suit of armor underneath, which he later shed to show off a crystal-covered body suit.
The fashion house called it a "three-part LGBTQ+ American fairytale." First, the cape concealed his identify, then the armor symbolized protection against prejudice, and finally the body suit represented "living life as your true, unguarded self."
The artist is known for his daring fashion choices, including his purple prom look at the MTV Awards just days before.
Iman's latest iconic look, 2021 Met Gala
Nobody does it quite like Iman. The supermodel has worn so many iconic looks over the years, but the 2021 Met Gala will go down as one of her best.
Her outfit from Harris Reed, supported by Dolce & Gabbana, featured a gold strapless jumpsuit under a massive hoop skirt and matching headpiece made of feathers.
Reed shared with Vogue their inspiration drawn from 18th-century hooped cage skirts that symbolize taking up space with confidence and ownership.
Iman's first appearance at the Met Gala was in 1981 with Calvin Klein, and later she graced the event with her husband, the legendary David Bowie.
Maluma's Daring Red Leather Suit at the 2021 Met Gala
Breaking barriers, Maluma became the first reggaetón artist to attend the Met Gala in 2019 and has continued to make bold statements with his fashion choices.
For the 2021 Met Gala, Maluma collaborated with Donatella Versace, donning a striking red leather suit adorned with jewels and accessories.
"Every element of my outfit was my favorite," Maluma told Vogue. "I particularly loved the cowboy vibes, as I have a passion for horseback riding. The standout piece was the belt, a signature Versace cowboy belt inspired by the iconic '90s designs of the late Gianni Versace."
Additionally, he sported a 14-karat gold chain link glove featuring his nickname, Papi Juancho, embellished with stones.
Zendaya's Illuminating Cinderella Ensemble at the 2019 Met Gala
Zendaya, co-chairing alongside Bad Bunny this year, is establishing herself as a Met Gala royalty. Her Cinderella-inspired gown was a standout at the eccentric and whimsical 2019 Met Gala themed "Camp: Notes on Fashion."
With a flick of her stylist's wand and the guidance of her fairy godfather Law Roach, the gown illuminated The Met steps, quite literally. It transformed magically from gray to blue, eliciting a loud cheer from the onlookers.
Roach explained that the Tommy Hilfiger dress symbolized Zendaya's evolution from the Disney Channel to "Euphoria" and more mature roles.
Regarding this year's attire, he mentioned that Zendaya's dress wouldn't be fitted until Saturday, just two days before the grand event.
"I haven't laid eyes on Zendaya's dress!" he shared in an interview published by The New York Times. "We've been busy with two press tours - 'Dune 2' and 'Challengers' - and shooting two Vogue covers."
It's time to weave their Met Gala magic.
Kardashian family photo, 2019 Met Gala
The Kardashians made their way up The Met steps as a family for the 2019 Met Gala and posed for a memorable group photo.
Kim Kardashian stunned in a figure-hugging corset dress by Thierry Mugler, giving the impression that she had just emerged from the water. She was accompanied by her then-husband Ye, previously known as Kanye West.
Her sisters, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, sported coordinated sheer Versace gowns adorned with vibrant orange and purple feathers, respectively. Kylie was joined by her on-again-off-again beau, Travis Scott.
And of course it wouldn't be a Kardashian photo-op without mom, Kris Jenner. She had on a navy blue Tommy Hilfiger jumpsuit with oversized gray shoulders, plus a platinum blonde wig that was reportedly a last-minute suggestion from Kylie.
The Kardashian sisters have been known for some hit-or-miss looks over the years, including Kim's infamous "black-out" look in 2021.
Billy Porter goes for gold, 2019 Met Gala
Oh Billy Porter, where to begin. His 2019 Met Gala look was one for the ages.
Porter entered the event lounging on a platform carried by six shirtless men. He then climbed down to spread a pair of giant, golden wings.
In a behind-the-scenes interview before the big reveal, he told Vogue that "Camp" is often discounted or "thought of as cheesy," but, "when it's done properly, it's one of the highest forms of fashion and art."
Porter enlisted New York City-based brand The Blonds to design the Ancient Egypt-inspired look.
"Given the massive collection of Egyptian art The Met has, it was also our way to pay respect to that," he said.
Lady Gaga's many looks, 2019 Met Gala
Before Lil Nas X and Blake Lively pulled off multiple outfits, Lady Gaga was the original shapeshifter at the 2019 Met Gala. It was almost like the star was born to take on the theme.
Lady Gaga amazed the crowd with four stunning looks, all designed by her friend Brandon Maxwell. She started off in a massive pink dress with a 25-foot train, accompanied by five dancers holding umbrellas. As she made her way up The Met steps, her team revealed another black gown underneath by unzipping the cape.
Next, Lady Gaga showcased another pink dress, accessorized with large black sunglasses, while applying makeup and taking selfies. Finally, she transformed into a black bra, panties, stockings, and boots, ending her theatrical performance that lasted about 15 minutes, leaving the crowd in a frenzy.
Cardi B's iconic feathered gown at the 2019 Met Gala
Designer Thom Browne shared with Vogue that he created Cardi B's stunning gown because he believed she embodied the ultimate beauty in a woman's body.
Cardi B, known for her bold fashion choices, also made a statement at the 2018 Met Gala when she was pregnant with her daughter, Kulture, draped in jewels.
Following the 2019 gala, Cardi B's then-husband, OFFSET of Migos, praised her on social media, declaring, "Wifey is the truth, she just killed the Met Gala."
Jared Leto's memorable head-holding moment at the 2019 Met Gala
Jared Leto, known for his eccentric style, made a bold statement at the 2019 Met Gala with a lifelike prop that resembled his own head, turning heads and sparking conversations among attendees.
Jared Leto's Bold Fashion Choices at the Met Gala
According to Vogue, Leto took a page from Gucci's Fall 2018 runway show when model Unia Pakhomova carried a replica of her head as a clutch. His red gown and crystal harness were designed by Alessandro Michele for the fashion house.
Leto outdid himself in 2023 when he showed up in a fluffy, full-body cat suit.
Sadly for his fans, he is reportedly sitting out the 2024 Met Gala because his band, "30 Seconds to Mars," is touring in Europe.
Katy Perry's heavenly wings, 2018 Met Gala
"Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" was the Met Gala theme in 2018, and Katy Perry soared in a giant set of angel wings from Versace.
She rocked a platinum blonde pixie cut with a gold mini dress and thigh-high boots. On top of that sat her huge wings that stretched from the floor to well above her head.
The singer pulled up in a vintage convertible before posing with the wings on The Met steps.
It was a toss-up between this and her outfit the following year, when she wore a crystal chandelier on her head and then dressed in a burger suit for the afterparty.
Frances McDormand has fun with a headpiece, 2018 Met Gala
Frances McDormand had the most fun with a whimsical headpiece from Valentino at the 2018 Met Gala.
The Oscar winner was photographed striking her best movie-star-pose as the massive headpiece nearly covered her whole face.
She was later spotted in a social media video jamming out to the song "Where's Your Head At" inside the museum.
Two years later, McDormand graced the cover of Vogue, expressing to the publication, "to still be culturally relevant as a 63-year-old female is so deeply, deeply gratifying."
Rihanna's iconic yellow entrance, 2015 Met Gala
Choosing the best Rihanna look was nearly impossible, but her grand entrance at the 2015 Met Gala stole the spotlight.
The extravagant yellow gown was created by Chinese designer Guo Pei for the event's theme, "China: Through the Looking Glass." Her striking train appeared to mark the beginning of these lavish dresses and their dramatic entrances.
Rihanna continued to impress with hits for the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: The Art of the In-Between" theme in 2017 and for "Heavenly Bodies" in 2018.
And, in 2021, she graced the red carpet with her partner, A$AP Rocky, while pregnant with their first child, RZA, and once more in 2023 while anticipating their second son, Riot Rose.
Beyonce's daring naked dress, 2015 Met Gala
The concept of the naked dress wasn't entirely new, but all eyes were on Beyoncé as she arrived at the 2015 Met Gala wearing this daring ensemble.
The sheer floor-length dress, designed by Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci, featured strategically placed jewels but left little to the imagination.
According to Beyoncé's stylist Ty Hunter, the gown she wore to the 2015 Met Gala was the heaviest to wear.
"A lot of the rhinestones and gems, the rocky crystals, they were very heavy," he shared with Women's Wear Daily. "It looked like the lightest ones because she looked naked under it, but it was one of the heaviest."
At that time, the star had just given birth to her daughter, Blue Ivy, roughly four months before.
2015 Met Gala: Solange Knowles' Fan Dress
Solange Knowles, Beyoncé's younger sister, also caught attention at the 2015 Met Gala with a head-turning mini dress.
Donning a futuristic design from Giles, Solange explained to Refinery29 that the dress "gave the illusion of the fan," while others compared it to an oyster, a stingray, or a computer background.
Solange is renowned for her bold fashion choices, and in 2018, she made headlines by asking her followers to vote for her outfit.
2015 Met Gala: Andre Leon Talley
Andre Leon Tally, a red carpet icon, was a familiar face at the Met Gala starting from 1974, where he hosted red carpet coverage until 2018. The former Vogue creative director passed away from a heart attack in 2022 at the age of 73.
Andre Leon Talley: A Fashion Icon
Andre Leon Talley, a prominent figure in the fashion industry, began his career at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute under the guidance of Diana Vreeland. His passion for fashion was evident from a young age, and he went on to work for renowned publications such as Women's Wear Daily and Vogue, where he made history as the first Black man to be named creative director.
Kate Moss Shines at the 2009 Met Gala
Supermodel Kate Moss stole the show at the 2009 Met Gala in a stunning metallic mini dress and matching headwrap designed by Marc Jacobs. The theme of the event, "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion," perfectly suited Moss, who has been a muse for Jacobs since the 1990s.
Moss's fashion choices have always been on point, including her iconic 1995 Met Gala look featuring a pale yellow Calvin Klein slip dress with a daringly low back.
Sarah Jessica Parker with Alexander McQueen, 2006 Met Gala
It goes without saying, but Sarah Jessica Parker is always one to watch at the Met Gala. Her career has seen countless head-turning looks, from a thrifted dress for her first Met Gala in 1995 to her oversized mohawk for the 2013 theme "Punk: Chaos to Couture."
One look that stands out is her outfit for the 2006 Met Gala theme "Anglomania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion." She walked in with Alexander McQueen wearing a short dress while he wore a jacket, tie and kilt, and they both had coordinating plaid sashes.
Parker later told Vogue she was nervous because she deeply admired the late designer and even kept scraps of fabric he used from their dress fittings.
Liv Tyler & Stella McCartney "rock royalty," 1999 Met Gala
The 1999 Met Gala theme was "Rock Style," so who better to make a splash than Liv Tyler, the daughter of Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler, and Stella McCartney, daughter of The Beatles' Paul McCartney?
The duo attended the gala together in matching shirts with the words, "Rock Royalty" scrawled on them. McCartney told Vogue she took a pack of Haynes shirts to a vintage shop in Little Italy, where she helped customize the final design.
"I didn't come at it intentionally to be rebellious at all. I didn't know what people wore," she said.
"It wasn't really appropriate that we wore those shirts. Officially, we weren't following the honors of the dress code. It was very cool and rebellious of Stella," Tyler added.
Princess Diana's silk slip, 1996 Met Gala
From rock to royals, Princess Diana's appearance at the 1996 Met Gala goes down in history as one of the most memorable moments. The theme that year was "Christian Dior."
Princess Diana made a statement in a blue floor-length silk slip dress from John Galliano for Dior and a pearl choker. Vogue described it as her "most un-royal look to date," and said it signaled her freedom after her divorce and departure from the royal family.
Dozens of other royals have attended the gala over the years, including the Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece who made multiple appearances in 1989, 1995 and 2001.
Gianni & Donatella Versace in leather and gold, 1996 Met Gala
Versace's designs have come up several times on this list, and the siblings behind the brand are on here for their leather and gold look at the 1996 Met Gala. That year's theme was Christian Dior.
Gianni Versace was the theme the following year, just months before he was killed outside his Miami Beach home.
Donatella Versace's sister, Donatella Versace, assumed control of the fashion house and has been a fixture at the Met Gala since the 1990s. She styled some of the biggest celebrities, and early images depict her arriving with Naomi Campbell in 1995 and posing for a picture with Madonna and Cher in 1997.
Naomi Campbell's shimmering dress at the 1995 Met Gala
Speaking of Naomi Campbell, she made a grand entrance in a glittering, floor-length gown at the Met Gala in 1995, themed "Haute Couture."
"I adored this dress. It was sleek and form-fitting, and just sparkled," she shared with Vogue in a 2020 interview. "I remember when I laid eyes on this dress for the first time, I thought, wow, Gianni, is that for me? It felt like one of those dresses you read about in fairy tale books."
Campbell made her Met Gala debut in 1990 wearing a multi-colored mini dress also designed by Gianni Versace.
"I was so amazed to be initially invited by Gianni Versace through my new roommate, Christy Turlington," she recalled. "You really dressed up in the '90s... Enjoy your clothes, enjoy your accessories, enjoy your hair."
Campbell mentioned that her most enjoyable look was from 2019 when she wore a sheer Valentino Couture gown with a feathered cape and lace stockings that came together just hours before.
Cher shines at the 1985 Met Gala
Cher, the iconic singer and actress, embraced the 1985 Met Gala theme, "Costumes of Royal India," with unparalleled style. She donned a dazzling gold and silver bodysuit paired with a large matching ear cuff.
Other notable guests in attendance that year included Henry Kissinger, Raquel Welch and Barbara Walters.
Cher may have also been the first to wear a "naked dress" at the Met Gala when she made her debut in 1974. The dress had feathered sleeves and she wore her long, dark hair down loose.
Diana Ross in feather gown, 1981 Met Gala
The Queen of Motown, Diana Ross, was photographed wearing a flowing, strapless feather gown at the 1981 Met Gala. That year's theme was "The Eighteenth-Century Woman."
Ross sported a similar feathered jacket for the 2014 American Music Awards, when she presented Taylor Swift with the first-ever Dick Clark Award of Excellence.
"I'm so blown away to just have received an award from Diana Ross," Swift said at the time.
Bianca Jagger's bodice dress, 1981 Met Gala
Bianca Jagger, a 1970s muse turned social activist, is seen here wearing a dark strapless dress with a full skirt and detailed embroidery at the 1981 Met Gala.
Her classic Dior style inspired Kaia Gerber to recreate the look in 2021. Oscar de la Renta designed a similar gown, and Gerber wore her hair in waves parted to the side.
Gerber, who is the daughter of Cindy Crawford, described the dress in one word: "elegant."
Jackie O, the original icon, 1979 Met Gala
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former U.S. first lady, was known for her fashion that shaped the nation. She first attended the Met Gala in 1979 ("Fashions of the Habsburg Era: Austria-Hungary") and later served as co-chair.
In 2001, the Met Gala theme paid tribute to the style icon with "Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years."
"Jacqueline Kennedy is one of history's great style icons," Vogue's European editor-at-large Hamish Bowles said in a statement at the time. "Her profound influence on the way an entire generation wanted to look, dress, and behave cannot be overestimated. She set the standards that American women strove to follow, and, on the world stage, provided a visual metaphor for the youth and promise of the Kennedy administration."
The Met Gala will be held Monday night in New York City. Watch CBS New York's special coverage streaming at 8 p.m.
