The Costume Institute Gala, better known as the Met Gala or Met Ball is an annual event that has been taking place since 1971. The aim of the ball is to raise money for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Arts’ Costume Insititute. The ball takes place each year as an opening for the fashion exhibit at the museum and has a different theme each year. The theme for 2015’s Met Ball, which took place on 7th May was China: Through the Looking Glass. In addition to a differing theme each year, the ball also has a different person each year who act as chairs and co-chairs of the event. These individuals have varied from designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and to celebrities such as Beyoncé. Here we look at some of the most iconic Met Galas to have taken place over the years.

The first ever Met Ball took place in 1971 with the theme Fashion Plate. Diana Vreeland, who was editor-in-chief for Vogue until 1971 and also did extensive work with Harper’s Bazaar, has been credited with making the Met Ball into the extravagant event as it is today. In addition to the extravagance, the 1971 Met Gala also has another thing in common with the 2015 Met Gala: Cher. Singer and designer Cher was a guest at the first Met Gala, and was a guest at the 2015 one too. Even at the age of 68, Cher looked stunning at the 2015 Met Gala, as she would have at the 1971 one.

Diana Vreeland at the 1971 Met Gala

Cher’s Met Gala Outfits in 1971 and 2015

The 1981 Met Gala was themed The Eighteenth-Century Woman. Although this event did not have a chair and co-chair (these positions were not introduced until the 1995 event), many celebrities such as Diana Ross attended to showcase their extravagant gowns.

The 1995 Met Gala was the first to have a chair and co-chair, who were Karl Lagerfeld and Gianni Versace. The theme of 1995’s event was Haute Couture and guests such as Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Kate Moss attended.

The 2009 Met Gala featured Marc Jacobs as the chair, and was themed The Model as Muse:Embodying Fashion, celebrating 50 years of the modelling industry. The event was attended by names such as Victoria Beckham, Jessica Stam, Kate Moss and Gisele Bündchen.

2015’s Met Gala was chaired by business tycoon Silas Chou with the theme China: Through the Looking Glass. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Kendall Jenner, Beyoncé and Jay Z, Cara Delevingne, Madonna and Katy Perry all attended. Due to the progress in technology and the popularity of social media, all guests at the event were instructed not to use social media while they were there. The range of style at this year’s event was vast, and the event was more popular than ever.

Mr and Mrs West were wearing Roberto Cavalli. Kim said that her dress was inspired by Cher’s Met Gala look in 1971.

Dressed in Givenchy, Jay Z and Beyoncé stunned at the Met Gala.

Cara Delevingne was wearing a Stella McCartney jumpsuit and reportedly spent 11 hours having her body tattooed with temporary ink for the event.

Images Source: Daily Mail, The Independent, Galore Magazine, Us Magazine