There were plenty who also sidestepped 2014’s Charles James-themed gala, countering the couturier’s signature ball gowns with ultra-modern takes on evening wear. Lupita Nyong’o, for instance, sparkled in a Josephine Baker–style Prada look, and she was followed by a parade of chic minidress wearers, like Michelle Williams who wore Louis Vuitton. And few could top Erykah Badu’s sartorial act of rebellion as she entered the Great Hall in a Givenchy couture jumpsuit and oversize hat.
The 2019 camp theme—which encouraged attendees to go bold in feathers, sequins, and maximalist looks—saw select attendees take a shockingly-simple approach to red carpet dressing. Gwyneth Paltrow, for one, wore a yellow chiffon number by Chloé. It was elegant and whispered in a crowd of gowns that screamed.
Kim Kardashian in Balenciaga
The year: 2021
The theme: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion
Photo: Getty Images
In 2024 the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” theme featured a “Garden of Time” dress code—where A-listers were encouraged to wear their best florals and nature-inspired looks. Celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski and Anok Yai chose shimmering crystals instead, while Adwoa Aboah revealed her pregnancy in a red cropped H&M design.
Last year, meanwhile, the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme encouraged attendees to don their finest tailoring—though, a few stars chose romantic or flowing gowns instead. Stars like Dua Lipa, Nicole Kidman, and Gigi Hadid all rebuked suits in favour of glamorous dresses.
Below, 84 of the Met Gala’s best theme rejectors in history.
