30 Glamorous Throwback Photos From the Met Gala
A look back at what fashion's biggest night looked like before social media.
We all know what the Met Gala looks like today, but what did fashion’s biggest night look like before the days of social media and endless red carpet photo ops? For decades, the event has given us some of the most glamorous and talked-about fashion moments of all time. Ahead of this year’s “in honor of Karl”-themed gala on May 1, we’re taking a look back at some of the most glamorous vintage moments from the Met Gala of years past. From Jacqueline Kennedy to Cher and Princess Diana, here are the stars who attended the annual Costume Institute Gala before you ever knew what it was.
1973
Halston brought Baby Jane Holzer (who wore a plush white fur coat) to the gala in 1973.
1974
In what remains one of the most memorable Met Gala gowns of all time, Cher wore her infamous naked dress designed by Bob Mackie to the 1974 event. She attended with Mackie and best friend Paulette Betts, who wore a black and white one-shouldered gown for the occasion. The theme for this year's exhibit was "Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design."
1977
Barbara Walters attended the annual event throughout the '70s and '80s. Here, she wore a sparkling one-shouldered gown and diamond earrings for the occasion.
1979
Debbie Harry and a guest having a smoke and drink inside the "Fashions of The Hapsburg Era" themed event.
1979
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis first attended the gala in 1979, wearing a black strapless gown and ruffled wrap. The theme of the Costume Exhibit was "Fashions of the Habsburg Era: Austria-Hungary."
1979
Carolina Herrera and Jacqueline de Ribes in glamorous evening gowns at the 1979 event.
1979
Ali MacGraw wore a sparkling dress while attending alongside boyfriend Peter Weller in 1979.
1981
Diana Vreeland and Yves Saint Laurent hold hands while inside the 1981 Costume Institute event.
1981
The theme was "The Eighteenth Century Woman" and Bianca Jagger stunned in a strapless hoop skirt ballgown.
1981
Calvin Klein and Iman attended the 1981 Met Gala together, posing together for photos inside the event. Iman stunned in a sparkling gold look complete with a body chain and oversized hoop earrings.
1981
Diana Ross brought her signature glamour to the gala in 1981, wearing a ruffled tulle gown.
1982
Raquel Welch donned an animal print gown and pearl choker to the 1982 event.
1985
Bob Mackie once again brought Cher as his date to the event in 1985. The theme was "Costumes of Royal India" and the singer donned a sheer sparkling gown for the occasion.
1986
Linda Carter and Blaine Trump share a laugh in their evening gowns while inside the event.
1990
Attending her first Met Gala, Naomi Campbell stunned in a colorful couture mini dress.
1992
For the "Fashion and History: A Dialogue" theme, Christy Turlington opted for a black evening gown and pearl choker.
1994
Joan Rivers, who attended the event throughout the '90s, donned a black halter gown to the 1994 gala.
1995
Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, and Kate Moss had a supermodel moment together at the haute couture-themed Met Gala in 1995.
1995
Goldie Hawn looking glam behind the scenes at the Met's annual gala in 1995.
1996
Donatella and Gianni Versace showed up to the Costume Institute Gala in matching leather looks.
Lauren Alexis Fisher is the Senior Editor at Cosmopolitan, overseeing digital content across fashion, lifestyle, beauty, sex, and culture. Previously, she was the Market Editor at Harper’s BAZAAR and has written for publications including WWD, Bustle, and W Magazine. When she’s not busy taste-testing her way through every dirty martini in New York, you can follow her on Instagram for bad jokes, good outfits, and annoying vacation pics.
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