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Past Met Gala hosts, co-chairs: A list of every celebrity enlisted by Anna Wintour since 1995 [Business Insider]

Every year, the first Monday in May serves as a pilgrimage for the fashion faithful, a night of sublime chaos and calculated celebrity. The Met Gala, officially the Costume Institute Benefit, is the Super Bowl of style, and its quarterback has been, for three decades, Anna Wintour. Since she took over the helm of the event in 1995, the guest list, the theme, and—most critically—the hosts have become the cultural currency of the year. The co-chair lineup is not just a list of famous faces; it is a strategic board of directors chosen to translate a museum exhibition into a global headline.

Wintour’s genius was realizing the Gala needed to be a media event, not just a dinner. Before 1995, it was a quieter affair. Once she took control, she enlisted celebrities who could command the red carpet, sell tickets, and, crucially, show up in costumes that would break the internet. Let’s walk through the vault.

The 1990s: The Dynasty Begins

Wintour’s first co-chair in 1995 was none other than Princess Diana. The theme was “Haute Couture,” and Diana wore a stunning navy lace Dior slip dress. It was a power move: if you want the world to watch, invite the most watched woman on the planet. In 1996, she tapped Elizabeth Taylor for “Christian Dior” and Donatella Versace (post-Gianni) for “Gianni Versace” in 1998. The 1999 gala, “Rock Style,” was co-chaired by Madonna, a woman who understood theatricality better than anyone. These were celebrities who were institutions, not just trending.

The 2000s: The Celebrity-Editor Alliance

As the new century began, Wintour cemented the formula: one fashion icon, one Hollywood star, and often a designer. For the 2001 “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years” gala, she brought in Caroline Kennedy and Oscar de la Renta. The 2003 “Goddess” theme saw Nicole Kidman and Tom Ford as co-chairs. Kidman, fresh off her Chanel No. 5 campaign, was a perfect fit. The 2005 “The House of Chanel” gala was chaired by Karl Lagerfeld and Nicole Kidman again—a sign of a good working relationship.

By 2007, the Gala was a beast. For “Poiret: King of Fashion,” Wintour selected Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Lauren. Lopez proved that a pop star could hold the same weight as a designer. The 2008 “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy” gala was chaired by George Clooney and Julia Roberts—a rare occasion where Hollywood’s A-list felt like the theme.

The 2010s: The Golden Age of the Co-Chair

This decade is when the co-chair list became a spectator sport. 2011’s “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” was co-chaired by Anna Wintour, Colin Firth, and Stella McCartney. The 2013 “Punk: Chaos to Couture” was a generational shift: Beyoncé chaired alongside Riccardo Tisci and Lauren Santo Domingo. Beyoncé’s Givenchy dress was so sheer it became a cultural event.

2015’s “China: Through the Looking Glass” was co-chaired by Wintour, Jennifer Lawrence, Gong Li, and Marissa Mayer. The inclusion of a tech CEO (Yahoo’s Mayer) was a nod to Silicon Valley money. 2016’s “Manus x Machina” saw Idris Elba, Taylor Swift, and Jonathan Ive (Apple’s design chief). Swift was the pop star of the moment, and Ive brought the tech gravitas.

2017’s “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons” was chaired by Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour. Perry wore a red lace veil and matching boots—the costume was the co-chair. 2018’s “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” was a marathon of co-chairs: Rihanna, Amal Clooney, Donatella Versace, and Anna Wintour. Rihanna’s papal mitre and Maison Margiela vestments were the night’s defining image.

2019’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion” was co-chaired by Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Gucci’s Alessandro Michele, Serena Williams, and Anna Wintour. Gaga’s four outfit changes on the carpet, Harry’s sheer blouse, and Serena’s Nike x Off-White dress made this the most meme-able night yet.

The 2020s: The Pandemic and the New Guard

2021 was a delayed, intimate gala for “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” Co-chairs were Timothée Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman, and Naomi Osaka. Wintour chose Gen Z stars who represented activism and cultural shift. Chalamet wore a white Haider Ackermann suit and sneakers; Eilish went full Oscar de la Renta. 2022’s “Gilded Glamour” brought back Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds as co-chairs alongside Regina King and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Lively’s copper patina Versace dress was the night’s masterpiece.

2023’s “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” was co-chaired by Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel, Penélope Cruz, and Roger Federer. Federer was a surprise—a tennis star among fashion royalty—but his elegance and Chanel connections made sense. 2024’s “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” was co-chaired by Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth. Zendaya’s dramatic side-profile Schiaparelli and Lopez’s Tiffany diamond were the highlights.

The Constant Hand

Through it all, Anna Wintour has been the permanent co-chair since 1999, the silent architect. She doesn’t just pick the names; she curates the narrative. The list of co-chairs reads like a who’s-who of cultural power—from Princess Diana to Zendaya, from Karl Lagerfeld to Bad Bunny. It proves that the Met Gala isn’t just a party. It’s a history book written in sequins.

Ahmed Abed – News journalist

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