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The Met Gala returns to New York City after taking a year off. Located in the city’s historic Metropolitan Museum of Art, fashion’s biggest night of the year will take place on Sept. 13, 2021. Although the event typically takes place during the first Monday in May, the coronavirus (COVID-19) postponed the date to late 2021. Each year, celebrities gather to the red carpet and show off head-turning looks. 

Before the new, intimate gathering commences, take a look back at some of The Met Gala’s unforgettable ensembles. 

Kim Kardashian West, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna attending The Met Gala throughout the years in couture gowns.
Kim Kardashian West, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna | Larry Busacca/Getty Images, Theo Wargo/WireImage, Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic

1. Kim Kardashian West

Year: 2013

Theme: Punk: Chaos to Couture

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West posing at the 2013 Met Gala.
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian | Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Kim Kardashian West built an empire from her reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians. However, she’s never been shy about expressing her love for high fashion and couture. So, the mother of four was ecstatic when she attended The Met Gala as Kanye West’s plus one. Unfortunately, her floral Givenchy gown didn’t grant Kardashian West the response she wanted. Soon after the appearance, her look inspired several memes and Mrs. Doubtfire comparison from Robin Williams. 

“I was very pregnant, very puffy, and bloated, and I was like, ‘Oh god, of course, the first time I go [to The Met Gala], I’m gonna be huge,’” Kardashian West told Vogue in 2019. 

2. Lady Gaga

Year: 2019

Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion

Lady Gaga flaunting her four looks at The Met Gala 2019.
Lady Gaga | ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Lady Gaga proved how over-the-top she could be at the 2019 Met Gala. For the event, the “Born This Way” artist wore four different outfits designed by Brandon Maxwell. During the 16-minute entrance, Lady Gaga entered the venue, rocking a fuchsia pink cape gown with a 25-foot train. By the time she got to The Met Gala’s steps, the Oscar winner had ended the entrance with sequined lingerie and high-heeled boots. 

3. Rihanna 

Year: 2015 

 Theme: China: Through the Looking Glass

Rihanna posing in a yellow gown at the 2019 Met Gala.
Rihanna | Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Rihanna always keeps her fans guessing when it comes to fashion. So it comes as no surprise that the singer and Fenty Beauty mogul shut The Met Gala down in 2015. While gracing the event’s red carpet that night, Riri wore a yellow gown by designer Guo Pei. The handmade dress was riddled with scrolls of flora. Rihanna then added a matching headdress as she posed for the cameras. 

The “Work” singer’s look stole the show that night and earned her the best-dressed spot on multiple publications that year. However, Rihanna admits she felt foolish wearing the over-the-top dress. 

“I remember being so scared to get out of that car because I felt like, ‘I’m doing too much,’ she said to Access Hollywood. “I was driving past the red carpet, and I was just seeing, like, gowns, and I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’m a clown. People are going to laugh at me. This is like, too much.’ I thought that. I circled like three times; I’m not even joking. And finally, I was like, ‘Whatever, let’s go. Let’s just go. Let’s just go.’ I know. I don’t regret it.’”

4. Zendaya 

Year: 2019

Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion

Zendaya and her stylist, Law Roach, at the 2019 Met Gala.
Zendaya and Law Roach | Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

The 2019 Met Gala was the night of grand entrances. In addition to Lady Gaga, Zendaya unforgettably arrived at the event. Once she entered the building, the Euphoria star paid tribute to her Disney Channel fame by showing up as Cinderella. As the princess, Zendaya stunned the audience with her blue, glowing ball gown by Tommy Hilfiger. Her longtime stylist, Law Roach, accompanied the actor as her “fairy godmother.” 

5. Cardi B 

Year: 2018

Theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination

Cardi B holding her baby bump while posing for the camera.
Cardi B | ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
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Cardi B attended her first Met Gala by commanding the audience’s attention in 2018. The “WAP” artist went to the event weeks after announcing her pregnancy with Kulture Kiari Cephus. On the red carpet, she wore a jeweled gown designed by Moschino by Jeremy Scott. To accessorize the look, Cardi added a gem-encrusted headdress and a blinged-out choker. Many of the rapper’s fans loved how she flaunted her pregnancy bump throughout the night. ,

For those of us viewing The Met Gala 2021’s fashions at home, Teen Vogue starts streaming the event live on Sept. 13 at 5:30 p.m. EST.