The Met Gala, aka “fashion’s biggest night out,” is fast-approaching, with a theme and dress code that will surely elicit myriad interpretations when it comes to beauty. Titled “Costume Art,” the exhibition explores the art, body and fashion connection, where garments will be grouped under body types — naked, classic, pregnant, aging and more — and paired with fine art objects spanning 5,000 years.
As esteemed guests piece together their makeup mood boards and brainstorm ornate hairdos that could very well be similar to what we saw in 2019 at “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” WWD is taking a look back at the best timeless beauty looks in Met Gala history, from Diana Vreeland to Diana Ross.
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Diana Vreeland – 1980
At the Costume Institute Gala in 1980, Vreeland honored the exhibition opening with a signature red lip, matching nails, gold shimmer on her lids and blush blotted on the high points of her cheeks.
Princess Diana – 1996
Diana, the late Princess of Wales, graced the Met Gala red capet in 1996, celebrating the life and work of Christian Dior. To honor the evening, she donned a dirty blond pixie cut, a light layer of mascara, classic French tip nails and a matte burgundy lip.
Anna Wintour – 2010
In true form, Anna Wintour donned her trademark bob and micro bangs, rose-hued gloss and smoky liner on her top lids to the 2010 Met Gala, “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.” The look was appropriate, considering the theme underscored the power of uniform, and this was hers.
Nicole Kidman – 2016
For “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” Nicole Kidman brushed her blond hair in a braided bun behind her head, blushed her lips and added a touch of mascara atop smoky charcoal shadow.
Naomi Campbell – 2023
Naomi Campbell paid homage to Karl Lagerfeld, an industry titan, at the 2023 Met Gala, with extra-long extensions, an orb of pink shadow, cat-eye liner and bubblegum lips. The runway legend tapped makeup artist Dame Pat McGrath to help bring her beauty vision to life.
Sarah Jessica Parker – 2024
The 2024 Met Gala, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” saw Sarah Jessica Parker move beyond the limits of her natural hair length with long blond mermaid extensions pulled in a half-up, half-down hairdo down her back. The exaggerated style was courtesy of Serge Normant, while her glowy visage and babydoll blush was thanks to Elaine Offers Woulard and a kit of Charlotte Tilbury products.
Anne Hathaway – 2025
Anne Hathaway traveled back to the 1960s for the 2025 Met Gala, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Here, she upped her ponytail game with dramatic volume and dark brown extensions, which waterfalled down the back of her neck. With her hair slicked firmly away from her face, her minimal glam — featuring curled lashes and cloud lips by Jillian Dempsey — caught the camera.
Diana Ross – 2025
Ross stole the spotlight when she arrived outside the Met last year, boasting bountiful curls, purple- and pink-tinged makeup and inky liner in her waterline like the quintessential ’90s supermodel. The makeup was enlivened using products by Charlotte Tilbury, while her unruly waves were styled by Luvme Hair.