Wildest red carpet outfits at the Met Gala

While some of the most memorable looks are from many years ago – with Princess Diana’s post divorce Dior navy silk number in 1996 etched in fashion’s hall of fame – the Met has rapidly transformed from a glittering display of somewhat safe designer ball gowns, to a theatrical spectacle of complete grandeur.

Perhaps 2019’s ‘Camp’ theme was responsible for such a dramatic push in boundaries, with celebrities embracing the flamboyant dress code in a shift which will inevitably set an elevated benchmark for this year’s event, which kicks off in New York on Tuesday after being cancelled last year.

Thus, it comes as no surprise most of the outfits to front our most iconic list are from the last couple of years.

Lady Gaga, 2019

The queen of camp had already spent the better part of a decade infusing shock factor into her red carpet looks.

Gaga, who had been promoting her first feature film A Star is Born at the time, arrived at the Met in a billowing fuchsia pink gown fit with a train that needed its own minders.

But that was just the beginning as the pop star underwent not one but four costume changes while strutting along the carpet, finishing with showing off her racy black lingerie and platform boots.
 

Blake Lively, 2018

In a case of life imitating art, Lively went from “It” girl of the Upper East Side on Gossip Girl, to becoming a style muse in her own right.

This breathtaking, regal Victorian-style gown is – one word – memorable.
 

Kim Kardashian, 2019

There is seldom a best dressed list that doesn’t include Kim Kardashian.

The billionaire beauty queen looked as if she’d just stepped out of the ocean in a latex Thierry Mugler number splashed with beaded crystals, which took eight months to craft.
 

Beyonce, 2015

Beyonce’s “naked dress” at 2015’s event may have caused controversy for failing to keep with the theme of celebrating Chinese art, but it was nonetheless showstopping.
 

Lupita Nyong’o, 2019

While Gaga certainly brought camp with a personal show, actress Lupita Nyong’o nailed the theme in the finer details.

Her sheer Versace dress was fit with rainbow wings, as she rocked an afro fit with golden picks and bold avant-garde make-up.
 

Katy Perry, 2019

This was one way to light up the red carpet.

The Firework singer teamed her signature sense of humour with the camp theme and dressed as a literal human chandelier in 2019.
 

Zendaya, 2017

This tropical parrot print Dolce & Gabbana gown marked the high-fashion birth of Zendaya, who effortlessly elevated from Disney child star to Hollywood elite.
 

Rihanna, 2015

The pop diva triggered a collective gasp when she took to the steps in this magnificent imperial yellow cape, which took two years to design.

And as it turns out, she was one of the few attendees to wear a Chinese designer, Guo Pei, in celebration of the theme.
 

Cardi B, 2019

The level of preparation that went into the rapper’s outfit seems equivalent to that of a small Broadway production.

It took 2000 hours and 35 people to create, featuring 30,000 feathers and a custom bodice entwined with 44 carats worth of rubies, which alone were valued at $340,000.

The theme for this year’s Met Gala is ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’ – a celebration of American fashion – which will kick off on Tuesday morning, Australian time.

You can follow live coverage of the event right here on news.com.au.