Every Met Gala theme through the years: A list of past Costume Institute exhibitions and their dress codes [Business Insider]

In the glittering pantheon of fashion events, one night reigns supreme: the Met Gala. What began as a midnight supper has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon, a collision of celebrity, art, and high fashion that generates headlines for weeks. But beneath the red-carpet spectacle lies a serious curatorial mission. Every first Monday in May, the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens a new exhibition. And every year, the Gala’s dress code—the creative brief that sends designers and stars into a frenzy—is tied directly to that show’s theme.

For the uninitiated, the theme is not a suggestion. It is the law. From the most avant-garde interpretation to a literal costume, the vibe informs every train, every trainwreck, and every viral moment. Below is a complete guide to every Met Gala theme, from its origins in 1973 to what we expect next. This is your cheat sheet for understanding the most famous party in the world.

The Early Years: A Party Without a Dress Code (1973–1995)

It might surprise you to learn that for the first two decades, the Met Gala was mostly a swanky dinner for New York’s social set. There was no press line, no live stream, and certainly no “dress code.” The exhibitions focused on specific designers or historical moments, but the guests wore whatever they wanted—usually black tie. The first modern “theme” as we know it emerged in 1996, but the seeds were planted in 1973 with the inaugural exhibition, "The World of Balenciaga."

1996: Rock Style

The first Gala to truly embrace the chaos. The exhibition looked at the intersection of music and fashion, from Elvis to the Beatles. The dress code was “rock star glamour,” and guests like Cher and Donatella Versace delivered. This year marks the unofficial start of the “theme era.”

1997: Gianni Versace

Held just months after the designer’s murder, this was a somber yet celebratory tribute. The dress code was simply “Versace.” It was a sea of safety pins, Medusa heads, and supermodels.

1998: Cubism and Fashion

An intellectual pivot. The exhibition explored how Picasso and Braque’s angular forms influenced 20th-century fashion. The dress code was "Cubist-inspired silhouettes," which was a tough sell for the A-list. Most stuck to black and white architectural shapes.

1999: Our New Clothes: The 1990s

A deep dive into the decade of grunge, minimalism, and glamour (Calvin Klein, Prada, Gucci). The code was “Narcissus meets the modern world.” It was a bit vague, but the result was a lot of slip dresses and sheer fabrics.

2000: American Woman

This exhibition celebrated the evolution of the American female identity through fashion, from the Gibson Girl to the flapper, the model, and the rock star. The code: "The American Woman: A National Identity." It was a patriotic but difficult theme that mostly resulted in formal gowns.

2001: Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years

A highly specific tribute to the former First Lady. The dress code was "The Camelot Aesthetic" or "pillbox hats and pearls." It was elegant, but the strict historical nature of the exhibition meant most guests played it safe.

2002: American Dream: Reality and Illusion in Fashion

Post-9/11 America. The exhibition focused on the aspirational and the surreal in American fashion. The code was "Glamour meets reality." It was a subdued year, with many stars wearing classic American designers like Ralph Lauren.

2003: Goddess: The Classical Mode

One of the most stunningly literal themes. The exhibition looked at how ancient Greek and Roman drapery influenced modern design. The dress code: “Goddess.” It was a golden hour of Grecian gowns, gold belts, and laurel wreaths.

2004: Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century

A return to opulent, powdered decadence. The code was "18th-century aristocratic style." Think Marie Antoinette. This was the year of bustles, corsets, and wig powder.

2005: The House of Chanel

A tribute to Coco and Karl. The code was "Chanel." It was a sea of tweed suits, quilted bags, and pearls. Very chic, very safe.

2006: AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion

The first of the “mania” series. The exhibition celebrated British fashion from Savile Row to punk. The code: "British eccentricity." It was a high-water mark for tartan, Union Jacks, and Alexander McQueen.

2007: Poiret: King of Fashion

A tribute to Paul Poiret, the designer who freed women from the corset. The code: "Poiret's Orientalism." Harem pants, turbans, and Art Deco jewels dominated the carpet.

2008: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy

The first truly pop-culture-focused theme. The exhibition examined how superhero costumes influenced fashion. The code: "Superhero chic." It was a mixed bag of capes, spandex, and chain mail, but it was pure fun.

2009: The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion

A meta look at the supermodel era of the 1990s and 2000s. The code: "The model off-duty." It was about personal style, not costume. The result was a lot of skinny jeans, leather jackets, and cool-girl attitude.

2010: American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity (Redux)

An updated version of the 2000 exhibition, focusing on the modern woman. The code: "The American Woman." It was a bit of a retread, but it acknowledged the evolution of the previous decade.

2011: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

The highest watermark in Met Gala history. The exhibition was a posthumous tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen. The code: "Savage Beauty." It was a dark, romantic, and deeply respectful night. Celebrities wore McQueen or dramatic, gothic silhouettes. It is widely considered the best-themed Gala ever.

2012: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations

An intellectual dialogue between the surrealist Elsa Schiaparelli and the minimalist Miuccia Prada. The code: "Surrealism meets minimalism." It was a tricky balance, resulting in lobster prints, shoe hats, and sleek black dresses.

2013: PUNK: Chaos to Couture

An attempt to capture the anarchic spirit of punk. The code: "Punk." It was a night of safety pins, leather, tartan, and ripped fishnets. The problem? Punk is anti-establishment, and the Met Gala is the establishment. Still, it was a fabulous contradiction.

2014: Charles James: Beyond Fashion

A deep dive into the structural genius of the mid-century couturier. The code: "White tie and decorations." It was a return to strict formalwear. No costume, just impeccable tailoring and ball gowns.

2015: China: Through the Looking Glass

An exploration of Chinese aesthetics in Western fashion. The code: "Chinese whispers." It was a night of dragon motifs, qipaos, and imperial yellow. It was stunning, but also sparked important conversations about cultural appropriation vs. appreciation.

2016: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology

The future was now. The exhibition contrasted handmade couture with machine-made fashion. The code: "Tech-inspired fashion." We saw robots, LED lights, and 3D-printed gowns. Claire Danes’s lit-up dress is a standout memory.

2017: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between

The most avant-garde theme yet. The exhibition honored the Japanese designer’s radical abstractions. The code: "Avant-garde." It was a night of extreme silhouettes, asymmetry, and deconstruction. Many guests didn’t get it, but those who did were breathtaking.

2018: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination

The biggest exhibition in Costume Institute history. The code: "The Catholic imagination." It was a night of papal mitres, crucifixes, and angel wings. It was controversial, stunning, and deeply