Beverly Johnson Reflects On Naomi Sims Encouraging Words, 50 Years Since Gracing Vogue Cover
Subtitles
  • Off
  • English

The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time

The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time

Met Gala 2023 has come and gone, so we decided to take a trip down memory lane. From Naomi Campbell to Rihanna, Black stars stunned on those iconic red stairs.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Start Slideshow
Start Slideshow
Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Theo Wargo / Staff (Getty Images), Kevin Mazur/MG23 / Contributor (Getty Images), Larry Busacca / Staff (Getty Images)

The Met Gala 2023 is in the books! We saw our favorite stars climbing those iconic stairs. Let’s take a look back at some of the best Black looks over the years!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

2 / 38

Anok Yai- 2023

Anok Yai- 2023

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Taylor Hill / Contributor (Getty Images)

Model Anok Yai shut the Met Gala 2023 down with this gold and silver mini dress. This is possibly one of the most stunning looks we’ve ever seen on a carpet!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

3 / 38

Brian Tyree Henry- 2023

Brian Tyree Henry- 2023

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: ANGELA WEISS / Contributor (Getty Images)

Everybody thank Brian Tyree Henry for stepping out for the men at the 2023 Met Gala! This look is MAJOR!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

4 / 38

Michaela Coel- 2023

Michaela Coel- 2023

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Sean Zanni / Contributor (Getty Images)

Michaela Coel was lucky enough to land a custom dress by Schiaparelli for the 2023 Met Gala. She slayed this gold and heavily beaded gown, cornrows, and the face card that never declines!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

5 / 38

Naomi Campbell- 1995

Naomi Campbell- 1995

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd. / Contributor (Getty Images)

Supermodel Naomi Campbell wore this Versace Haute Couture column gown to the 1995 Met Gala. Stunning!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

6 / 38

Andre Leon Talley- 2011

Andre Leon Talley- 2011

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: WWD / Contributor (Getty Images)

Former Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley mastered the art of the kaftan wearing this bold blue piece over a navy suit and red loafers!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

7 / 38

Janelle Monáe- 2018

Janelle Monáe- 2018

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Dia Dipasupil / Staff (Getty Images)

Janelle Monáe wore this ensemble by Marc Jacobs to the 2018 Met Gala. That hat was all the rage!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

8 / 38

Tracee Ellis Ross- 2018

Tracee Ellis Ross- 2018

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Sean Zanni / Contributor (Getty Images)

Tracee Ellis Ross’ iconic Barbie pink outfit for the 2018 Met Gala was created by Michael Kors!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

9 / 38

Ashton Sanders- 2022

Ashton Sanders- 2022

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff (Getty Images)

Moonlight and I Wanna Dance With Somebody’s Ashton Sanders nailed the Gilded Glamor theme for the 2022 Met Gala with his vampire look. How cool!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

10 / 38

Diddy- 2005

Diddy- 2005

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Evan Agostini / Staff (Getty Images)

Diddy arrived on the 2005 Met Gala carpet for the House of Chanel theme in this cream, striped suit and gray overcoat. Classic and timeless!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

11 / 38

Rihanna- 2017

Rihanna- 2017

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Neilson Barnard / Staff (Getty Images)

Rihanna was the best dressed of the evening at the 2017 Met Gala wearing this avant garde look by the evening’s honoree, Rei Kawakubo. Her makeup became a trend, inspiring many people to use excessive amounts of blush on their faces!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

12 / 38

Usher- 2015

Usher- 2015

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Jamie McCarthy / Staff (Getty Images)

Usher wore this perfectly tailored double breasted black suit to the 2015 Met Gala. He used a cane due to a foot operation he had before the event.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

13 / 38

Solange Knowles- 2015

Solange Knowles- 2015

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Jamie McCarthy / Staff (Getty Images)

Solange wore this amazing mini dress by Giles with pleats in a fit-and-flare silhouette for the 2015 Met Gala!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

14 / 38

Iman- 2021

Iman- 2021

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Mike Coppola / Staff (Getty Images)
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

15 / 38

Diana Ross- 1981

Diana Ross- 1981

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Bertrand Rindoff Petroff / Contributor (Getty Images)

Diana Ross wore this feather gown for the 1981 Met Gala! She even wore it again to the 2014 American Music Awards.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

16 / 38

Odell Beckham Jr.- 2022

Odell Beckham Jr.- 2022

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff (Getty Images)

NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. wore this green, suede two-piece set with an attached durag-hoodie to the 2022 Met Gala. His necklace was worth a whopping $650,000!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

17 / 38

Mary J. Blige- 2017

Mary J. Blige- 2017

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff (Getty Images)

Mary J. Blige showed off a hot new blonde haircut paired with this black lacey La Perla Haute Couture gown for the 2017 Met Gala! Okay, Mary!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

18 / 38

Dwyane Wade- 2022

Dwyane Wade- 2022

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Jeff Kravitz / Contributor (Getty Images)

Dwyane Wade ditched a shirt and showed off his abs under this crispy, white Versace suit with gold detailing for the 2022 Met Gala!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

19 / 38

Beyoncé- 2014

Beyoncé- 2014

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff (Getty Images)

Beyoncé wore this beautiful Diana Ross-inspired black gown to the 2014 Met Gala, the same night of the infamous elevator fight between her husband, Jay-Z, and sister, Solange. What a night!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

20 / 38

Alton Mason- 2022

Alton Mason- 2022

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Jeff Kravitz / Contributor (Getty Images)

Model and actor Alton Mason wore custom Prada for the 2022 Met Gala. The cape and fierce cateye makeup is to die for!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

21 / 38

Eve- 2003

Eve- 2003

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Getty Images / Handout (Getty Images)

Eve wore this black, timeless Gucci gown to the 2003 Met Gala. The look perfectly hugs her body and shows off her tattoos!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

22 / 38

Miguel- 2015

Miguel- 2015

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Larry Busacca / Staff (Getty Images)

For the “China: Through the Looking Glass” theme at the 2015 Met Gala, singer Miguel wore this bright red Michael Kors suit and black boots.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

23 / 38

Kerry Washington- 2022

Kerry Washington- 2022

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: John Shearer / Contributor (Getty Images)

Actress Kerry Washington showed off some leg at the 2022 Met Gala in this elegant, sheer black Tory Burch gown!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

24 / 38

Ciara- 2019

Ciara- 2019

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: John Shearer / Contributor (Getty Images)

Ciara wore a Diana Ross-inspired, green custom Peter Dundas gown and a humongous afro to the 2019 Met Gala! She was one of the stars of the night!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

25 / 38

Cardi B- 2019

Cardi B- 2019

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff (Getty Images)

Rapper Cardi B wore a stunning Thome Browne outfit for the 2019 Met Gala. The outfit was made with $250,000 worth of rubies and 30,000 feathers, and took 2,000 hours to create.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

26 / 38

Naomi Campbell- 2019

Naomi Campbell- 2019

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff (Getty Images)

For the 2019 Met Gala “camp” theme, supermodel Naomi Campbell wore a lilac Valentino Couture gown. The gown featured several textures and details, perfect for the busy theme!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

27 / 38

Lupita Nyong’o- 2016

Lupita Nyong’o- 2016

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Jamie McCarthy / Staff (Getty Images)

Actress Lupita Nyong’o’s green Calvin Klein dress was absolutely smashing, but her hairstyle was all the talk! She had her hair in an updo inrpired by Nina Simone and traditional African hairstyles.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

28 / 38

Future- 2017

Future- 2017

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: George Pimentel / Contributor (Getty Images)

Rapper Future wore a Rei Kawakubo-inspired custom suit by H&M for the 2017 Met Gala. This might the coolest he’s ever looked!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

29 / 38

Cynthia Erivo- 2018

Cynthia Erivo- 2018

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: John Shearer / Contributor (Getty Images)

Singer and actress Cynthia Erivo’s “Heavenly Bodies” theme for the 2018 Met Gala included Sistine Chapel design nails and bejeweled eyebrows! Her velvet gown was created by Valentino.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

30 / 38

Christian Combs- 2018

Christian Combs- 2018

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Frazer Harrison / Staff (Getty Images)

Diddy’s son and twin, Christian Combs, rocked the 2018 “Heavenly Bodies” theme wearing a Dolce & Gabbana Alta Sartoria couture suit and crown!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

31 / 38

Yara Shahidi- 2021

Yara Shahidi- 2021

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: John Shearer / Contributor (Getty Images)

Yara Shahidi was drop dead gorgeous paying homage to Jospehine Baker with this Dior look for the “In America: A Lexicon of Fashiontheme at the 2021 Met Gala.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

32 / 38

Jeremy Pope- 2022

Jeremy Pope- 2022

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff (Getty Images)

Actor Jeremy Pope wore this leather ensemble by Dion Lee for the 2022 Met Gala! He simply never goes wrong when it comes to a red carpet!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

33 / 38

Cardi B- 2022

Cardi B- 2022

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff (Getty Images)

Cardi B’s 2022 “Gilded Glamor” look by Versace was a hit at the Met Gala! Her gown took over 20 people to create over 1,300 hours.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

34 / 38

Dapper Dan- 2019

Dapper Dan- 2019

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Jamie McCarthy / Staff (Getty Images)

Designer Dapper Dan stepped out for his first Met Gala in 2019 wearing a red embroidered tuxedo coat, white ruffle shirt, black slacks, and shiny, short-heeled shoes! Looking good, Dapper Dan!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

35 / 38

Doja Cat- 2023

Doja Cat- 2023

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Taylor Hill / Contributor (Getty Images)

Doja Cat killed it in this Oscar De La Renta look as Karl Lagerfeld’s cat! Her fantastic face prosthetics were done by Malina Stearns.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

36 / 38

Alton Mason- 2023

Alton Mason- 2023

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Taylor Hill / Contributor (Getty Images)

Alton Mason paid tribute to Karl Lagerfeld by wearing a bridal-inspired outfit. Lagerfeld was known for closing his fashion shows with a bridal look. Bravo!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

37 / 38

Halle Bailey- 2023

Halle Bailey- 2023

Image for article titled The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time
Photo: Michael Buckner / Contributor (Getty Images)

Halle Bailey looked like a true mermaid in this gown by Gucci! Also, props to her hair stylist for transforming her locs into this straight bob!

Advertisement