A Look Back At The Best Dressed Black Celebs At The MET Gala

We’re still thinking about these iconic outfits from Lupita Nyong’o, Rihanna and Janelle Monae.

MET Gala is one of the biggest fashion moments of the year. Celebrities from Frank Ocean to Beyoncé bring their A-game every year to slay the carpet according to the theme. This year’s theme is “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” and is hosted by Naomi Osaka, Billie Eilish, Timothée Chalamet, and Amanda Gorman.

Read how you can watch the MET Gala here.

In light of this momentous occasion and before tonight’s ode to American fashion, Girls United is taking a look back at some of the best MET Gala looks throughout the years from some of our favorite Black celebrities.

Lupita Nyong’o, 2019

Lupita Nyong’o’s Versace look came to serve all the “camp” vibes at the 2019 MET Gala.

Rihanna, 2015

Her yellow gown gave all of the regal vibes at the 2015 MET Gala themed “China: Through the Looking Glass.”

SZA, 2018

For the year’s theme of “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” the “Good Days” songstress graced the MET Gala with an ethereal red carpet look and a matching majestic headpiece.

Read our 2021 chat with SZA here.

Frank Ocean, 2019

While celebrating “Camp: Notes on Fashion” at the 2019 MET Gala, Frank Ocean dressed up as the paparazzi and snapped a few flicks of his own back at the journalists and the other talent on the carpet. In 2023, the singer will headline Coachella.

Lena Waithe, 2018

For her “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” look, the The Chi creator and actor wore a cape symbolizing her LGBTQ+ community.

Naomi Campbell, 1995

Former ESSENCE cover star Naomi Campbell served in this diamond encrusted dress back in the 90s for this iconic, classy MET Gala look.

Pharrell Williams, 2018

Pharrell Williams and his wife Helen Lasichanh at the MET’s 2018 “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & the Catholic Imagination” and gave total Catholicism vibes.

Beyonce, 2015

Queen Bey and Jay-Z came to the 2015 MET Gala with no mercy to be had on the carpet. Beyonce’s sheer look was a total head turner with her bedazzled look.

Janelle Monae, 2014

For the “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” theme of the 2014 MET Gala, “Dirty Computer” singer Janelle Monae came to the carpet with an embroidered red cape look and a signature pompadour hairstyle.

Solange, 2012

The “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” MET Gala theme in 2012 would not have been complete without Solange’s presence in her geometric yellow peplum number.

Photo Credit: Photo by Kevin Tachman/MG19/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

View More