15 Most Criticized Met Gala Dresses of all Time

 

Celebrity fashion knows no bounds, especially at grand events like the Met Gala, also dubbed Hollywood’s most extravagant fashion soirée. Each first Monday in May, The Met’s steps witness a parade of celebrities with their unparalleled styles in line with a distinct theme for the year.

This annual fundraising and fashion affair, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, is always full of surprises and consistently fulfills its reputation of being the apex of sartorial excellence.

Whether it’s the showcase of avant-garde and experimental looks that push the boundaries of creativity or the controversial appearances of unexpected guests at the gala, one thing is for sure: the excitement doesn’t end when the stars leave the red carpet and enter the museum. The memories of the Met Gala linger in our minds long after the event, keeping us talking and speculating about what’s next.

As we anticipate the fast-approaching Met Gala 2024, themed “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” and centered on priceless fashion relics from the museum’s fashion collection, which are too delicate for conventional mannequin display, let’s reminisce and spotlight 15 of some of the most controversial, criticized, and talked-about red carpet dresses from past Met Galas.

In 2001, the iconic Diana Ross made a dazzling entrance at the Met Gala event. And, it was her signature disco flair with a spectacular black tulle headpiece that stole the spotlight. Despite the theme revolving around Jackie Kennedy’s White House era, Miss Ross remained true to her unique style, effortlessly yet controversially standing out.

Who could pull off an avian-inspired look with such elegance? Back in 2011, during the Costume Institute’s tribute to the legendary Alexander McQueen, his dear friend, and muse Daphne Guinness graced the event in one of his iconic feathered creations, paired with towering platform heels that transformed her into a high-fashion vision reminiscent of a majestic bird of paradise.

It was the dramatic headpiece SJP wore that became a viral sensation, sparking numerous memes. Known for her expertise in aligning with Met Gala themes, her outfit for the “China Through The Looking Glass” ball in 2015 stood out.

Despite the playful “flames” jokes on social media, SJP insisted on the extensive effort she put into her look; her research into Chinese opera, ballet, theater, design, and costume design, exploring elements like tassels, pom-poms, and silk, all coming together to inspire her interpretation of the 2015 Met Gala theme. 

Although it wasn’t discussed much initially except for the fact that Kylie Jenner looked stunning on the red carpet, she later revealed on social media that the custom Balmain dress she wore actually caused her to bleed due to cuts throughout the night. This sparked controversy and debate among fans and fashion enthusiasts alike, about the lengths we’re willing to go for the sake of fashion.

Staying true to Gaga’s iconic flair and ensuring all eyes were on her, the singer made a striking entrance at the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” themed event, opting for a pantless ensemble. Her futuristic blazer and bodysuit combination was elevated further by donning the tallest platform boots ever seen on the red carpet.

Kendall Jenner caused a stir at the 2017 Met Gala by stepping onto the red carpet in a sheer gown paired with a black thong, revealing a significant amount of skin.

The striking La Perla ensemble left little to the imagination and stood out as one of the model’s boldest fashion choices. Following this controversial appearance, sheer clothing gained increased prominence among celebrities afterward.

In a literal interpretation of the “Heavenly Bodies” theme, Katy Perry made a grand entrance at the 2018 Met Gala adorned as a life-sized angel, complete with expansive feathered wings. Her custom Versace ensemble rivaled the iconic looks of Victoria’s Secret Angels, showcasing a blend of celestial elegance and high-fashion allure.

The Met Gala of 2018, themed “Heavenly Bodies,” witnessed a plethora of daring and extravagant outfits, yet none could surpass Rihanna’s unforgettable appearance as a high-fashion Pope. The singer mesmerized attendees in a bespoke robe adorned with pearls and jewels, perfectly complemented by a matching papal mitre designed by Margiela.

Katy Perry’s unforgettable appearance at the 2019 Met Gala remains etched in our memories as one of the most iconic looks to date.

She fully embraced the Camp theme by transforming into a human chandelier, wearing an unimaginable look adorned with three layers of illuminated candles atop a stunning silver Moschino dress. This extravagant, theatrical ensemble made her sparkle like a diamond and perfectly captured the essence of the night’s theme, “Camp: Notes on Fashion.”

To cap off her whimsy ta=hat same night, Katy Perry traded her chandelier outfit for something equally playful—a human-sized hamburger costume (or was it a cheeseburger?). Love it or hate it, this quirky choice became the hot topic of conversation among attendees and observers alike, adding an amusing and memorable twist to the Met Gala. 

Cara Delevingne’s “Peg the patriarchy” statement on her dress at Met Gala 2021 stirred significant controversy, and immediately went viral on social media, where opinions ranged from support for her bold stance to criticism for appropriating a trademarked phrase.

During an interview at the Gala, Delevingne explained that the phrase symbolized women’s empowerment and gender equality, urging those unfamiliar with the term “pegging” to educate themselves.

However, the issue arose when it became known that the slogan was originally trademarked by Luna Matatas, a queer woman of color and sexual pleasure coach, without receiving proper credit for the concept.

The year 2021 indeed marked a year of experimentation at the Met Gala, where it almost seemed as if someone had brought their controversial self to the party. Kim Petras’ standout moment in a remarkably lifelike equine dress perfectly channeled a fun playful spirit at the event.

Created by the renowned New York label Collina Strada, her Met Gala dress was a direct nod to their spring/summer ’22 collection, renowned for seamlessly integrating life-size animal motifs into their designs.

At the 2021 Met Gala, Grimes brought a real-time sword to the occasion, channeling inspiration from the film, “Dune” in a futuristic ensemble. Designed by Iris van Herpen, her avant-garde dress flawlessly matched her ‘Genesis’ persona, while the edgy ’70s punk Kiki boots from Marc Jacobs added a touch of boldness, taking her look to a whole new level.

Kim Kardashian‘s complete black look by Balenciaga at the 2021 Met Gala initially puzzled many. It sparked widespread confusion and led to a flood of memes and theories on Twitter.

While there was no official explanation for the outfit’s inspiration, some speculated that it could tie into American fashion history, with Kim’s iconic figure symbolizing a significant aspect of that narrative.

Others quickly connected it to her then-husband, Kanye West, who was promoting his album “Donda” featuring a single black square as its artwork. However, Kim’s Instagram post after the gala offered a different perspective, suggesting that an all-black T-shirt outfit embodies the essence of American style.

At the Met Gala 2022, Kim Kardashian stirred up controversy with her choice of attire: Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress from 1962.

Amidst online speculation, Kim silenced the rumors by gracing the red carpet, sporting newly bleached blonde hair, in the incredibly delicate garment borrowed from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum, which also presented her with a strand of Marilyn’s hair.

Curiously, the SKIMS founder only wore the original dress for a brief moment before changing into a replica for the main event. This extravagant effort to wear the dress for a fleeting period did not go unnoticed, raising questions about its necessity.

Moreover, her outfit deviated from the gala’s theme, as she also discussed controversial weight loss methods on the red carpet, adding further fuel to the controversy surrounding her appearance.