The Most Controversial Met Gala Looks of All Time

Kim Kardashian’s Marilyn Monroe Costume in 2022

All the time one to stir issues up on the Met Gala carpet, Kim Kardashian broke the web but once more in 2022 by arriving in a robe initially that belonged to Marilyn Monroe. The enduring film star famously wore the glittering ivory costume when she sang “Comfortable Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962.

Kardashian borrowed the robe from Ripley’s Imagine It or Not!, which bought the costume from Julien’s Public sale in November 2016 for a whopping $4.81 million.

The truth star revealed that she needed to lose 16 kilos to suit into the costume, as she wasn’t permitted to change it. 

“I attempted it on and it did not match me. I stated, ‘Give me three weeks.’ I needed to lose 16 kilos down at this time,” Kardashian instructed Vogue correspondent La La Anthony on the crimson carpet.

“It was such a problem. It was like a [movie] position. I used to be decided to suit [into] it. I have not had carbs or sugar in about three weeks. We’re having pizza and donut occasion again on the lodge [after the Met Gala],” she added.

Critics known as out Kardashian not just for her excessive weight reduction measures however for her option to put on such a historic costume.

Cara Delevingne’s “Peg the Patriarchy” Breast Plate in 2021

On the 2021 Met Gala, the mannequin made a press release in Dior Haute Couture white trousers and an identical breastplate studying, “Peg the patriarchy.” The daring phrase induced an uproar amongst followers; whereas some praised Delevingne for her bravado, others criticized her for being crass.

The ensemble additionally caught the eye of Canada-based intercourse educator Luna Matatas, who stated she coined and trademarked the time period “peg the patriarchy” in 2015.

“This occurs to small artists on a regular basis,” Matatas stated through Instagram on the time, per Refinery29. “A lot in order that I’ve an assistant whose job consists of discovering and tracing folks printing and promoting Peg the Patriarchy. Do not forget that as a fats, queer, POC I’m working twice as arduous simply to do what I am already wonderful at. From censorship to patriarchy to racism, all biz limitations particular to my social location.” 

Rihanna’s Papal Headpiece in 2018

For the 2018 theme of “Heavenly Our bodies: Style and the Catholic Creativeness,” Rihanna wore a papal mitre (a ceremonial head-dress of bishops) and an opulent strapless mini costume with an identical collared gown by Maison Margiela Artisanal.

Whereas the singer’s look adhered to the theme, some critics advised it was disrespectful to the Catholic faith.

“My faith is just not your costume,” one consumer shared on social media, per The Unbiased.

“Among the many worst issues I’ve ever seen in my life,” stated one other. “Heresy at its most interesting.”

Kim Kardashian’s Face-Masking Balenciaga Look in 2021

Kardashian subverted expectations on the 2021 Met Gala by arriving in a face-covering physique stocking by Balenciaga.

The customized ensemble featured a long-sleeve turtleneck bodysuit worn underneath an outsized T-shirt costume with an extended pleated prepare. She accomplished the look with jersey boots, jersey gloves and a masks that lined her face and head.

Whereas some turned their noses up on the sudden look, it highlighted Kardashian’s plain affect.

“This look on Kim is sort of a new subculture and trend assertion,” a supply instructed PEOPLE on the time. “No brand, no face, however everybody is aware of it is her.”

Princess Diana in a Dior Slip Costume in 1996

Princess Diana was revered for going in opposition to the grain, and her model was no exception.

On the 1996 Met Gala, she appeared in a navy silk slip costume with black lace detailing from John Galliano’s debut couture assortment because the Inventive Director of Dior.

She accessorized with an identical silk robe-like topper and her signature pearl-and-sapphire choker necklace.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s “Tax the Wealthy” Costume in 2021

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Met Gala debut was nothing in need of daring.

On the 2021 occasion, the Democratic congresswoman wore a white Brother Vellies robe with the political slogan “Tax the Wealthy” splashed throughout the again in crimson lettering. She accessorized with a pair of crimson sneakers and a bag additionally bearing the phrase.

“It is actually about having an actual dialog,” Ocasio-Cortez instructed reporters in regards to the inspiration behind the assertion. “It is about equity and fairness in our system, and I believe that this dialog is especially related.”

Billie Eilish Debuting a New Look in 2021

Billie Eilish’s first Met Gala was definitely a memorable one. At 19, the singer-songwriter had develop into identified for her dishevelled, outsized model, so it was an enormous shock to followers when she confirmed up in a peach-colored tulle ball robe by Oscar de la Renta.

She embraced Previous Hollywood glamour with a blonde bob and smooth smokey make-up look.

“It simply was time,” Eilish instructed Keke Palmer on the crimson carpet about her trend change-up. “It was time for this, and I really feel like I’ve grown a lot in the previous few years.”

She continued, “I’ve all the time needed to do that. I used to be simply scared and did not really feel comfy in my pores and skin and I really feel like I lastly did.”

Karlie Kloss Lacking the Camp Theme in 2019

Karlie Kloss could by no means stay down her 2019 Met Gala look. The mannequin caught flak for seemingly ignoring the theme of “Camp: Notes on Style” and as a substitute choosing a gold minidress with puffy black sleeves.

In November 2023, Kloss admitted that she “deserved” the criticism.

“Oh boy,” Kloss stated in an installment of Vogue’s video collection Life in Seems. “Sure, this was the Met Gala that I believe I broke the web, however not in a great way. I nonetheless get trolled about this look, the place I used to be ‘wanting camp straight within the eye.’ “

“And I nonetheless get, rightfully, trolled,” she stated with fun. “I am going to settle for it. Actually I deserved that one.”

Katy Perry’s Chandelier Costume in 2019

In 2019, Katy Perry approached the “Camp” theme head-on by arriving dressed as a large chandelier with working mild bulbs.

The ensemble, designed by Jeremy Scott for Moschino, consisted of a  silver Swarovski crystal-covered mini costume with matching collar and clear Swarovski crystals dripping down the bodice. She balanced a chandelier corset round her waist and wore an identical smaller chandelier as a headpiece.

Kim Kardashian’s “Moist” Mugler Costume in 2019

Kardashian shut down the crimson carpet in 2019 along with her wet-looking Mugler costume with a corset bodice and beads mimicking dripping water.

The star stated that the designer (who got here out of retirement to create the piece) envisioned her as a “California lady stepping out of the ocean.”

“That is about eight months within the making,” Kardashian instructed Vogue on the crimson carpet. “He envisioned me as this California lady stepping out of the ocean, moist, dripping.”

As soon as once more, Kardashian’s look got here with intense bodily calls for, because the costume’ corset was so restrictive.

“As soon as we’re all on the prime of the carpet we will all take a deep breath,” she instructed Vogue. “I don’t know if I can on this corset. I actually needed to do observe. It’s a correct corset by Mr. Pearl. I by no means had one like this. It’s insane.”

She added, “I’ve doughnuts ready for me tomorrow morning: scorching, recent doughnuts. They’re particular ones from right here vanilla with rainbow sprinkles.”

Kendall Jenne’s Sheer La Perla Robe and Thong in 2017

Kendall Jenner turned heads on the 2017 Met Gala in a sheer mesh costume by La Perla Haute Couture. The mannequin made the look much more risqué by carrying a black thong deliberately seen beneath.

In accordance with the model, the customized robe featured 85,000 hand-painted crystals and took greater than 160 hours to make, spanning 5 cities and 26 artisans.

Taylor Swift’s Dramatic Magnificence Transformation in 2016

Taylor Swift’s 2016 Met Gala look was a departure from her regular candy model.

The singer made a splash in a metallic Louis Vuitton minidress with cutout boots, however essentially the most stunning facet was her dramatic glam that includes a brand new bleach blonde bob and black lipstick.

Sarah Jessica Parker Accused of Cultural Appropriation in 2015

A number of 2015 Met Gala attendees have been accused of decoding the theme of “China: By way of the Trying Glass” in inappropriate methods, however Sarah Jessica Parker obtained the majority of criticism. 

The Intercourse and the Metropolis star wore an H&M costume of her personal design with a Philip Treacy headpiece that some stated perpetuated an offensive stereotype.

“Whereas some discovered Sarah Jessica Parker’s Phillip Treacy headpiece to be the evening’s dramatic pièce de résistance, in my eyes, I noticed blatant racism: the spot-on Asian Dragon Girl stereotype,” stated Mashable author David Yi, per The Washington Publish.

He continued, “Parker in all probability didn’t understand, then, that she was setting Asian girls again 75 years to the Nineteen Thirties to the primary derogatory ‘dragon girl’ portrayal. The unique time period was used to explain sturdy Asian girls however was a pejorative that made them into villains.”

Rihanna’s Huge Fur-Lined Robe in 2015

Rihanna’s fur-lined yellow robe on the 2015 Met Gala induced fairly the stir. The 55- lb. creation (designed by Chinese language couturier Guo Pei) appeared to take up your complete staircase because the star made her entrance, and subsequently supplied limitless fodder for memes.

Years later, the Fenty founder admitted that she was nervous in regards to the crowd’s response and that she had her driver circle the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork thrice earlier than she arrived.

Rihanna’s look additionally drew criticism from fur activists, because the yellow garment was made with fox fur. Per Dazed, on the September 2015 launch of her fragrance RiRi, anti-fur protesters stormed the occasion and chanted “disgrace on Rihanna.”

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Anti-Punk Look in 2013

Gwyneth Paltrow went in opposition to the 2013 Met Gala theme of “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” by carrying a long-sleeved brilliant pink robe by Valentino.

She later criticized the Gala in an interview with USA Right this moment, saying of her expertise, “I’m by no means going once more. It was so un-fun. It was boiling. It was too crowded. I didn’t take pleasure in it in any respect.”

Paltrow ended up returning to the Gala in 2017 and in 2019.

Kim Kardashian in a Givenchy Floral Costume 2013

Kardashian’s Met Gala debut didn’t go precisely as she hoped. The mogul attended the 2013 Gala as her then-husband Kanye West’s plus one and on the time, she was pregnant with their daughter, North.

She opted for a long-sleeved, high-necked floral robe by Givenchy — and the look was immediately became memes on-line as a result of comparisons to sofa materials.

“I believe Robin Williams even tweeted it, stated I regarded like Mrs. Doubtfire,” Kardashian shared in her 2019 Vogue Life in Seems video. “I used to be crying the entire method house as a result of I simply couldn’t consider it.”

Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney in “Rock Royalty” T-shirts in 1999

Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney determined in opposition to conventional night put on for the 1999 Met Gala theme of “Rock Type.”

The daughters of Steven Tyler and Paul McCartney, respectively, appeared in studded off-the-shoulder tank tops studying “Rock Royalty.”