What Rihanna, Zendaya & More Stars Wore to Their First Met Gala

Why, yes, Elle Fanning does place some sentimental value on her first Met Gala appearance.

The Oscar-nominated actress remembers being 13 years old when she attended the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition in 2011. She went with Valentino and her sister, and it was an amazing experience. She was thrilled and a little overwhelmed to be invited at such a young age, especially alongside Dakota Fanning.

She described her outfit—a color-blocked Valentino dress—as resembling a ‘little Oreo’ with its navy and white lace skirt, and she meant it as a compliment!

Sarah Jessica Parker, a frequent attendee of the Met Gala, recently recalled being unsure of the designer of her outfit the first time she went in 1995.

Speaking to Vogue in 2022 about her choice for the Haute Couture theme, the Sex and the City actress described the dress as having a slightly enigmatic quality. She believes it was originally a thrift store find that she then had altered by a tailor, and she personally did her own hair and makeup for the look.

For her first performance at the Met last year, Chappell Roan, like many artists paying homage to the venue’s history, worked with costume designer Paul Tazewell – known for his work on Wicked – to create a unique outfit. They found a patchwork suit and a matching feathered cape on eBay, giving her a playful, pink pony-inspired look.

I’ve been following her for years, and it’s so classic her! She famously told Vogue that beauty is all that matters, and then, naturally, she turned to the incredible Pat McGrath to make sure she looked absolutely stunning. It just perfectly captures her whole vibe – she means what she says about prioritizing appearance!

To capture the dazzling energy of the 1970s disco scene, McGrath’s team created a look featuring lots of shimmer and shine. They combined metallic eyeshadows with graphic wing designs, bold, chrome-like eyelashes, and sparkling rhinestones. The overall effect was bold, glamorous, and designed for dancing.

Stars’ first appearances at the Met Gala are always different, but one thing is consistent: getting an invitation to the famous event on the first Monday in May is a huge accomplishment.

Now a seasoned presence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Zendaya confessed to Vogue that she was quite anxious at the 2015 Met Gala. Dressed by Fausto Puglisi and styled by Law Roach, she worried about something as simple as where to put her phone, wondering how she would contact Law or her father for a ride when she was ready to leave.

Good news! The Spider-Man actress did find a way back home. And speaking of her journey to success, let’s take a look back at her and other stars’ first big breaks.