Rihanna's Best Met Gala Red Carpet Looks
2023 | Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty
In tribute to Karl Lagerfeld, Rihanna walked the 2023 Met Gala red carpet in a multi-layered gown from Lagerfeld's 1997 Fall/Winter Fendi collection. Originally worn on the runway by Naomi Campbell, Rihanna paired the mermaid-style gown with an oversized camellia flower cape as a tribute to Coco Chanel's favourite flower.
While her look may have made countless best-dressed lists, Rihanna's 2023 Met Gala look also made headlines after she revealed her growing baby bump as she posed for photos on the iconic Met staircase.
2021 | In America: A Lexicon of Fashion
Following a three-year absence from the Met Gala red carpet, Rihanna returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art staircase in 2021 alongside her partner, A$AP Rocky.
Sporting 267 carats of archival Bulgari jewellery, Rihanna off-set the sparkle of her accessories with an avant-garde quilted gown from Demna Gvasalia's 2021 Haute Couture collection.
2018 | Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
Frequently dubbed as the singer's best Met Gala look, Rihanna embodied the theme of 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' in a heavily beaded gown, cape, and mitre designed by John Galliano for Maison Margiela.
2017 | Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the Inbetween
In keeping with her trend of avant-garde red carpet fashion, Rihanna walked the 2017 Met Gala red carpet in a heavily adorned floral gown from the Comme des Garçons 2016 Fall runway collection.
Pairing the look with a slicked bun and heavy blush, Rihanna's stylist Mel Ottenburg revealed that the beauty look was inspired by Rei Kawakubo's Spring 1997 collection.
2015 | China: Through the Looking Glass
One of Rihanna's most luxurious looks, the singer commemorated the 'China: Through the Looking Glass" theme in a gold gown and cape designed by Guo Pei.
Speaking to Vanity Fair following the Met Gala, Rihanna revealed that she had discovered the dress online after researching Chinese couture. As one of the Gala's most stand-out gowns, Rihanna revealed that the dress, dubbed "Magnificent Gold" by designer Guo Pei, took over 50,000 hours to make.
2014 | Charles James: Beyond Fashion
Commemorating the 'Charles James: Beyond Fashion' exhibition, Rihanna walked the red carpet in a backless two-piece set designed by Stella McCartney.
2012 | Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations
Honouring the trademark texture and sophistication of Schiaparelli and Prada, Rihanna attended the 2012 Met Gala in a backless snake-skin patterned gown by Tom Ford.
2011 | Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
While she may be known for her textured avant-garde Met Gala fashion, Rihanna attended the 2011 fundraiser in a classic black lace gown by Stella McCartney.
2009 | The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion
While 2009 was not her first Met Gala, Rihanna's red-carpet fashion for the fundraiser showed the first glimpses of her elevated and exaggerated Met Gala silhouettes.
Commemorating the theme 'The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion,' the singer opted for an androgynous Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo with oversized sleeves and leather gloves.
2007 | Poiret: King of Fashion
Attending her first Met Gala red carpet in 2007, Rihanna wore a simple Georges Chakra gown accessorised with leather gloves and a red rose.