Kim Kardashian, 45, took to Instagram on the eve of fashion's biggest night to share a nostalgic series of throwback snaps showcasing her Met Gala looks over the past 13 years. The SKIMS mogul even gave a nod to her widely mocked 'couch dress' from 2013.
A Look Back at Kim's Met Gala Journey
Kim attended her first Met Gala in 2013 as then-husband Kanye West's guest, pregnant with their first child North. She wore a Givenchy floral-print dress by Riccardo Tisci, which became one of her most ridiculed outfits. Tisci used stretch fabric to accommodate her baby bump, and Anna Wintour insisted on the printed version over a black alternative. The gown instantly became a meme, compared to a grandmother's couch. Kim recalled that Robin Williams even tweeted she resembled Mrs. Doubtfire. She admitted crying the whole ride home over the trolling but now loves the style in hindsight.
In 2014, Kim received her first personal invitation to the gala and stunned in a navy strapless Lanvin dress with a cinched waist and daring thigh-high split. She shared a photo of being fitted, noting the dress was originally made of leather with metallic detailing but was redone in blue satin at the last minute.
The reality star skipped her sheer lace Roberto Cavalli gown from 2015 in her post but included a bold Balmain silver dress with a futuristic slit. For 2017, she opted for a simple off-shoulder white Vivienne Westwood gown, though it didn't make the nostalgic cut.
At the 2018 Heavenly Bodies gala, Kim wowed in a gold mesh Versace dress that fit like a glove. She posted a photo from her New York hotel room before hitting the red carpet.
Camp and Controversy
In 2019, for the Camp theme, Kim wore a Thierry Mugler dress with a waist trainer to achieve the smallest midsection possible. The look was designed to appear 'wet,' with crystals resembling raindrops and wet hairstyling. Her hotel room prep involved her glam team and the Kardashian filming crew.
Kim's most shocking ensemble came in 2021 when she dressed head to toe in black Balenciaga, including a face mask. She admitted fighting against it but was convinced by creative director Demna Gvasalia that it was appropriate for a costume gala.
The 2022 Met Gala saw Kim pay homage to Marilyn Monroe, wearing the iconic beaded gown Monroe sang 'Happy Birthday Mr President' in. Kim lost 16 pounds in three weeks to fit into the historic dress, which she wore only for minutes on the red carpet before changing into a replica to avoid damage. The dress, originally sewn onto Monroe, could not be altered, causing Kim to cry. She attended with then-boyfriend Pete Davidson.
In 2023, Kim paid tribute to her 2007 nude Playboy shoot with a pearl-embellished necklace and topless look under chains. She shared a sneaky bathroom selfie with sisters Kendall and Kylie.
For 2024, Kim sparked reactions with a tiny waist in a silver corset custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano, paired with a grey knit cropped sweater. Her final look was a Chrome Hearts black snakeskin corset and skirt, flashing cleavage and paired with a cowgirl hat and diamond accessories.
Ahead of her 13th year, Kim wrote: 'Year 13 loading…' The 2026 Met Gala theme is Costume Art, with honorary co-chairs Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, who reportedly paid $10 million, alongside Beyonce, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams.
