8 Met Gala looks to capture the controversial and daring side of fashion

The Met Gala is one of the most anticipated events in the fashion world where A-listers and influencers gather to celebrate art, fashion and culture. 

The event held annually at the Metropolitan Museum is a platform for attendees to showcase their most daring and creative styles. 

However, the Met Gala has also been known for pushing boundaries with some outfits sparking controversy and debate. 

From revealing cuts to bold statements, the red carpet has seen its fair share of head turning looks that have left fans and critics talking for ages.

Here is a list of the most controversial outfits at Met Gala:

Kim Kardashian, 2022

Kim Kardashian wore a famous dress to the 2022 Met Gala which originally belonged to Marilyn Monroe. 

The late icon wore the dress in 1962 to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. 

The dress was loaned from a museum for the event and Kim changed into a different outfit soon after arriving to protect the historic dress. 

However, many people on social media questioned whether she should have worn the ensemble at all. 

Though recent, this look quickly proved to be one of Met Gala’s most bold and controversial ones of all time.

Doja Cat, 2023

Doja Cat wore a costume inspired by Chanel designer, Karl Lagersfeld's cat Choupette, featuring cat ears, a fluffy train and a realistic fake nose. 

To match her cat theme, she only meowed during her red-carpet interview making her appearance a bizarre yet unforgettable one.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 2021

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) wore a beautiful white gown to the Met Gala with the phrase “Tax the Rich” printed on the back. 

This bold statement garnered mixed reactions, but AOC remained unapologetic about her choice.

Kendall Jenner, 2017

Kendall Jenner wore a sheer black custom dress by Lingerie brand La Perla, paired with matching Christian Louboutin pumps. 

The supermodel’s daring dress sparked controversy with many saying it was too revealing and inappropriate for the event.

Karlie Kloss, 2019

The 2019, Met Gala’s Camp: Notes on Fashion theme sparked controversy for Karlie Kloss’s outfit, as it did not quite fit the usual glamourous expectations. 

Her Gucci dress, featuring a gold bodice and puffy black sleeves, was criticized for not embodying the theme’s spirit. 

Karlie posted a selfie before the event with the caption “Looking camp right in the eye”, referencing the theme. 

As soon as Karlie stepped onto the red carpet, she sensed the negative reaction, which the model later shared in a YouTube video, as she said, “I could feel the negative reaction literally from when I walked onto the red carpet.”

Katy Perry, 2018

Katy Perry’s 2018 Met Gala’s look was related to the event’s theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” 

She opted for a golden outfit featuring huge angel wings which were visually striking. 

Though some critics argued it did not accurately reflect the theme’s exploration of Catholicism's influence on fashion.

Rihanna, 2015

Rihanna made a stunning appearance at the 2015 Met Gala in a custom design by Chinese designer Gou Pei. 

Her yellow gown with a long train and matching headpiece stole the show but it also sparked numerous memes comparing the cape to everyday objects like omelets and pizza pies. 

Despite the jokes, the look remains iconic and one of Rihanna’s most memorable Met Gala moments.

Cara Delevingne, 2021

Cara Delevingne’s 2021 Met Gala look featured a bold statement about women’s empowerment with the phrase “Peg the Patriarchy” on her outfit, designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri at Dior. 

The look consisted of white trousers and a vest with the bold message engraved on the model's chest. 

While Delevingne intended it as a message for gender equality, some people found the phrase too explicit, making the moment immortal in the event's history.