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 long-lasting film star famously wore the glittering ivory costume when she sang “Joyful 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 mentioned, ‘Give me three weeks.’ I needed to lose 16 kilos down immediately,” Kardashian advised 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 celebration again on the resort [after the Met Gala],” she added.

Critics referred to 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 brought on 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 mentioned she coined and trademarked the time period “peg the patriarchy” in 2015.

“This occurs to small artists on a regular basis,” Matatas mentioned through Instagram on the time, per Refinery29. “A lot in order that I’ve an assistant whose job contains discovering and tracing folks printing and promoting Peg the Patriarchy. Keep in mind that as a fats, queer, POC I’m working twice as exhausting simply to do what I am already wonderful at. From censorship to patriarchy to racism, all biz boundaries 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 instructed 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,” mentioned one other. “Heresy at its most interesting.”

Kim Kardashian’s Face-Protecting 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 beneath an outsized T-shirt costume with a protracted pleated practice. 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 surprising look, it highlighted Kardashian’s simple affect.

“This look on Kim is sort of a new subculture and trend assertion,” a supply advised PEOPLE on the time. “No emblem, 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 towards the grain, and her fashion 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 Artistic 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 wanting 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 footwear and a bag additionally bearing the phrase.

“It is actually about having an actual dialog,” Ocasio-Cortez advised reporters concerning 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 change into identified for her saggy, outsized fashion, 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 tender smokey make-up look.

“It simply was time,” Eilish advised 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 wished to do that. I used to be simply scared and did not really feel snug in my pores and skin and I really feel like I lastly did.”

Karlie Kloss Lacking the Camp Theme in 2019

Karlie Kloss might 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 an alternative choosing a gold minidress with puffy black sleeves.

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

“Oh boy,” Kloss mentioned in an installment of Vogue’s video sequence Life in Appears to be like. “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 ‘trying camp straight within the eye.’ “

“And I nonetheless get, rightfully, trolled,” she mentioned with amusing. “I will 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 gentle 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 together with her wet-looking Mugler costume with a corset bodice and beads mimicking dripping water.

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

“That is about eight months within the making,” Kardashian advised Vogue on the crimson carpet. “He envisioned me as this California woman 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 high of the carpet we are able to all take a deep breath,” she advised Vogue. “I don’t know if I can on this corset. I truthfully 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: sizzling, 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 sporting a black thong deliberately seen beneath.

In keeping 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 normal candy fashion.

The singer made a splash in a metallic Louis Vuitton minidress with cutout boots, however essentially the most surprising 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 the Wanting 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 mentioned 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,” mentioned Mashable author David Yi, per The Washington Submit.

He continued, “Parker most likely didn’t notice, 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 robust 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 brought on 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 offered limitless fodder for memes.

Years later, the Fenty founder admitted that she was nervous concerning 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 towards the 2013 Met Gala theme of “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” by sporting a long-sleeved vivid pink robe by Valentino.

She later criticized the Gala in an interview with USA At present, 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 get pleasure from 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 was memes on-line resulting from comparisons to sofa materials.

“I believe Robin Williams even tweeted it, mentioned I seemed like Mrs. Doubtfire,” Kardashian shared in her 2019 Vogue Life in Appears to be like video. “I used to be crying the entire means house as a result of I simply couldn’t imagine it.”

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

Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney determined towards 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.”