The Best Black Met Gala Looks of All Time

Met Gala 2023 has come and gone, so we decided to take a trip down memory lane. From Naomi Campbell to Rihanna, Black stars stunned on those iconic red stairs.

Photo: Getty Images Theo Wargo / Staff

The Met Gala 2023 is in the books! We saw our favorite stars climbing those iconic stairs. Let’s take a look back at some of the best Black looks over the years!

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
MAGA Loses It Over Powerful Statue of a Black Woman in Times Square

Anok Yai- 2023

Photo: Getty Images Taylor Hill / Contributor

Model Anok Yai shut the Met Gala 2023 down with this gold and silver mini dress. This is possibly one of the most stunning looks we’ve ever seen on a carpet!

Brian Tyree Henry- 2023

Photo: Getty Images ANGELA WEISS / Contributor

Everybody thank Brian Tyree Henry for stepping out for the men at the 2023 Met Gala! This look is MAJOR!

Michaela Coel- 2023

Photo: Getty Images Sean Zanni / Contributor

Michaela Coel was lucky enough to land a custom dress by Schiaparelli for the 2023 Met Gala. She slayed this gold and heavily beaded gown, cornrows, and the face card that never declines!

Naomi Campbell- 1995

Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella, Ltd. / Contributor

Supermodel Naomi Campbell wore this Versace Haute Couture column gown to the 1995 Met Gala. Stunning!

Andre Leon Talley- 2011

Photo: Getty Images WWD / Contributor

Former Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley mastered the art of the kaftan wearing this bold blue piece over a navy suit and red loafers!

Janelle Monáe- 2018

Photo: Getty Images Dia Dipasupil / Staff

Janelle Monáe wore this ensemble by Marc Jacobs to the 2018 Met Gala. That hat was all the rage!

Tracee Ellis Ross- 2018

Photo: Getty Images Sean Zanni / Contributor

Tracee Ellis Ross’ iconic Barbie pink outfit for the 2018 Met Gala was created by Michael Kors!

Ashton Sanders- 2022

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff

Moonlight and I Wanna Dance With Somebody’s Ashton Sanders nailed the Gilded Glamor theme for the 2022 Met Gala with his vampire look. How cool!

Diddy- 2005

Photo: Getty Images Evan Agostini / Staff

Diddy arrived on the 2005 Met Gala carpet for the House of Chanel theme in this cream, striped suit and gray overcoat. Classic and timeless!

Rihanna- 2017

Photo: Getty Images Neilson Barnard / Staff

Rihanna was the best dressed of the evening at the 2017 Met Gala wearing this avant garde look by the evening’s honoree, Rei Kawakubo. Her makeup became a trend, inspiring many people to use excessive amounts of blush on their faces!

Usher- 2015

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy / Staff

Usher wore this perfectly tailored double breasted black suit to the 2015 Met Gala. He used a cane due to a foot operation he had before the event.

Solange Knowles- 2015

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy / Staff

Solange wore this amazing mini dress by Giles with pleats in a fit-and-flare silhouette for the 2015 Met Gala!

Iman- 2021

Photo: Getty Images Mike Coppola / Staff

Supermodel Iman wore this jaw-dropping gold Dolce & Gabbana x Harris Reed collaboration that took over 400 hours to make! Wow!

Diana Ross- 1981

Photo: Getty Images Bertrand Rindoff Petroff

Diana Ross wore this feather gown for the 1981 Met Gala! She even wore it again to the 2014 American Music Awards.

Odell Beckham Jr.- 2022

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff

NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. wore this green, suede two-piece set with an attached durag-hoodie to the 2022 Met Gala. His necklace was worth a whopping $650,000!

Mary J. Blige- 2017

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff

Mary J. Blige showed off a hot new blonde haircut paired with this black lacey La Perla Haute Couture gown for the 2017 Met Gala! Okay, Mary!

Dwyane Wade- 2022

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz / Contributor

Dwyane Wade ditched a shirt and showed off his abs under this crispy, white Versace suit with gold detailing for the 2022 Met Gala!

Beyoncé- 2014

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff

Beyoncé wore this beautiful Diana Ross-inspired black gown to the 2014 Met Gala, the same night of the infamous elevator fight between her husband, Jay-Z, and sister, Solange. What a night!

Alton Mason- 2022

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz / Contributor

Model and actor Alton Mason wore custom Prada for the 2022 Met Gala. The cape and fierce cateye makeup is to die for!

Eve- 2003

Photo: Getty Images Getty Images / Handout

Eve wore this black, timeless Gucci gown to the 2003 Met Gala. The look perfectly hugs her body and shows off her tattoos!

Miguel- 2015

Photo: Getty Images Larry Busacca / Staff

For the “China: Through the Looking Glass” theme at the 2015 Met Gala, singer Miguel wore this bright red Michael Kors suit and black boots.

Kerry Washington- 2022

Photo: Getty Images John Shearer / Contributor

Actress Kerry Washington showed off some leg at the 2022 Met Gala in this elegant, sheer black Tory Burch gown!

Ciara- 2019

Photo: Getty Images John Shearer / Contributor

Ciara wore a Diana Ross-inspired, green custom Peter Dundas gown and a humongous afro to the 2019 Met Gala! She was one of the stars of the night!

Cardi B- 2019

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff

Rapper Cardi B wore a stunning Thome Browne outfit for the 2019 Met Gala. The outfit was made with $250,000 worth of rubies and 30,000 feathers, and took 2,000 hours to create.

Naomi Campbell- 2019

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff

For the 2019 Met Gala “camp” theme, supermodel Naomi Campbell wore a lilac Valentino Couture gown. The gown featured several textures and details, perfect for the busy theme!

Lupita Nyong’o- 2016

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy / Staff

Actress Lupita Nyong’o’s green Calvin Klein dress was absolutely smashing, but her hairstyle was all the talk! She had her hair in an updo inrpired by Nina Simone and traditional African hairstyles.

Future- 2017

Photo: Getty Images George Pimentel / Contributor

Rapper Future wore a Rei Kawakubo-inspired custom suit by H&M for the 2017 Met Gala. This might the coolest he’s ever looked!

Cynthia Erivo- 2018

Photo: Getty Images John Shearer / Contributor

Singer and actress Cynthia Erivo’s “Heavenly Bodies” theme for the 2018 Met Gala included Sistine Chapel design nails and bejeweled eyebrows! Her velvet gown was created by Valentino.

Christian Combs- 2018

Photo: Getty Images Frazer Harrison / Staff

Diddy’s son and twin, Christian Combs, rocked the 2018 “Heavenly Bodies” theme wearing a Dolce & Gabbana Alta Sartoria couture suit and crown!

Yara Shahidi- 2021

Photo: Getty Images John Shearer / Contributor

Yara Shahidi was drop dead gorgeous paying homage to Jospehine Baker with this Dior look for the “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” theme at the 2021 Met Gala.

Jeremy Pope- 2022

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff

Actor Jeremy Pope wore this leather ensemble by Dion Lee for the 2022 Met Gala! He simply never goes wrong when it comes to a red carpet!

Cardi B- 2022

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff

Cardi B’s 2022 “Gilded Glamor” look by Versace was a hit at the Met Gala! Her gown took over 20 people to create over 1,300 hours.

Dapper Dan- 2019

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy / Staff

Designer Dapper Dan stepped out for his first Met Gala in 2019 wearing a red embroidered tuxedo coat, white ruffle shirt, black slacks, and shiny, short-heeled shoes! Looking good, Dapper Dan!

Doja Cat- 2023

Photo: Getty Images Taylor Hill / Contributor

Doja Cat killed it in this Oscar De La Renta look as Karl Lagerfeld’s cat! Her fantastic face prosthetics were done by Malina Stearns.

Alton Mason- 2023

Photo: Getty Images Taylor Hill / Contributor

Alton Mason paid tribute to Karl Lagerfeld by wearing a bridal-inspired outfit. Lagerfeld was known for closing his fashion shows with a bridal look. Bravo!

Halle Bailey- 2023

Photo: Getty Images Michael Buckner / Contributor

Halle Bailey looked like a true mermaid in this gown by Gucci! Also, props to her hair stylist for transforming her locs into this straight bob!

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The Most Outrageous 'America's Next Top Model' Moments

The Most Outrageous ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Moments

A new documentary exploring “America’s Next Top Model” and its sad underbelly is dropping soon. Let’s take a look back on some of the show’s most controversial moments! …
The Most Shocking Scenes From the Minneapolis ICE Protests

The Most Shocking Scenes From the Minneapolis ICE Protests

Take a look at Minneapolis through the eyes of photographers and demonstrators on the ground …
Why Even Trump Likely Realizes Alex Pretti's Death Was Too Far

Why Even Trump Likely Realizes Alex Pretti’s Death Was Too Far

After the killing of Alex Pretti, Trump is reevaluating every aspect of his highly criticized ICE operation in Minneapolis …
Florida Politician’s Career Is Cooked After Being Caught Spewing Racist Slurs in Viral Video

Florida Politician’s Career Is Cooked After Being Caught Spewing Racist Slurs in Viral Video

A disability rights advocate is facing scrutiny after viral video shows him spewing racist language at a Black employee …
No Room for ICE: How Faith Leaders are Fighting Fascism

No Room for ICE: How Faith Leaders are Fighting Fascism

OPINION: Trump’s ICE-led mass incarceration efforts are just the latest face of fascism that stains America’s history books. Here’s how we fight back …
Black Women Have a New Favorite Blush Color -- and It's Not Pink or Red

Black Women Have a New Favorite Blush Color — and It’s Not Pink or Red

Forget pinks and reds…Black women on TikTok are loving yellow blush! Here’s what you need to know! …
The Real Alleged Reason Why ‘Wicked’ Besties Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Received No 2026 Oscar Nominations

The Real Alleged Reason Why ‘Wicked’ Besties Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Received No 2026 Oscar Nominations

Oscars voters are sharing the real reasoning behind why “Wicked: For Good” didn’t get any nominations this year. And they didn’t mince words! …
Black Detroit Police Commissioner Already in Trouble After Less Than a Month in Office—But He Refuses to Resign!

Black Detroit Police Commissioner Already in Trouble After Less Than a Month in Office—But He Refuses to Resign!

Weeks after he assumed office as a Detroit police commissioner, Darius Morris is being called to resign after his past came back to haunt him …
Ray J Breaks His Silence on Some Scary Health News

Ray J Breaks His Silence on Some Scary Health News

Ray J’s candid Instagram update draws prayer, questions and a wave of advice as he faces a serious health challenge …
Why Cardi B Is Getting Dragged Online Over...a 4 Year Old?!

Why Cardi B Is Getting Dragged Online Over…a 4 Year Old?!

Cardi B is excited, like most fans, about the upcoming Super Bowl and the Patriots being a contender. But her video celebrating is getting met with backlash! …
Black New York Woman Makes a Home at Late Husband’s Gravesite After Losing Everything

Black New York Woman Makes a Home at Late Husband’s Gravesite After Losing Everything

After being evicted from her home, Rhea Holmes slept at her husband’s gravesite for months until a police officer stepped in to help …
Left Alone With His Infant for the First Time, a Maine Father Now Faces Unthinkable Accusations

Left Alone With His Infant for the First Time, a Maine Father Now Faces Unthinkable Accusations

A Maine’s father first solo playdate with his 12-week-old infant Lyla Samuels ended in tragedy two weeks ago. Now, he’s facing murder charges …
TikTok Star Khaby Lame Sells His Company For an Amount That'll Make Your Eyes Water

TikTok Star Khaby Lame Sells His Company For an Amount That’ll Make Your Eyes Water

TikToker Khaby Lame just secured a $900m E-Commerce deal. Here’s how he did it …
Exclusive: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Talks 'Fun' New Marvel Show, 'Wonder Man'

Exclusive: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Talks ‘Fun’ New Marvel Show, ‘Wonder Man’

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, as well as Sir Ben Kingsley and show co-creator Destin Daniel Cretton spoke to The Root about Marvel’s new show, ‘Wonder Man.’ …
Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan Reveal Backstory Behind Popular ‘Sinners’ Characters

Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan Reveal Backstory Behind Popular ‘Sinners’ Characters

‘Sinners’ director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan are sharing some little-known facts about the fictitious Smokestack Twins. You’ll want to hear this! …
Who Is Ronn Easton, the Viral Fur Coat-Wearing, Black Vietnam Vet Protesting ICE in Minnesota?

Who Is Ronn Easton, the Viral Fur Coat-Wearing, Black Vietnam Vet Protesting ICE in Minnesota?

Ronn Easton is going viral for showing up to anti-ICE protests in Minnesota dressed in a fur coat… But his personal story is far more compelling …
Shocking Health News for 'The Blind Side' Actor Quinton Aaron

Shocking Health News for ‘The Blind Side’ Actor Quinton Aaron

The actor who portrayed NFL played Michael Oher in the 2009 film, ‘The Blind Side’ is fighting for his life. And now, we’ve got details …
Don't Let iShowSpeed's 'Attack' in Africa Distract From the Important Lesson He's Teaching

Don’t Let iShowSpeed’s ‘Attack’ in Africa Distract From the Important Lesson He’s Teaching

Streamer iShowSpeed recently concluded his Africa tour. And while one moment is going viral, it shouldn’t overshadow the bigger picture of what he’s trying to do. Let’s talk about it! …
The Chilling Racist Words Hurled at a Black Florida Democrat Before He Was Assaulted at Sundance

The Chilling Racist Words Hurled at a Black Florida Democrat Before He Was Assaulted at Sundance

A night of celebrating at Sundance for history-making Democrat Maxwell Frost turned into a nightmare when he was reportedly punched in a racist attack …
How Charlie Brown’s Black Friend ‘Franklin’ Changed the Popular Comic for Generations

How Charlie Brown’s Black Friend ‘Franklin’ Changed the Popular Comic for Generations

In July 1968, the world met Franklin, the first Black character in a mainstream comic strip. We’re looking at the letter that inspired the creation of the Peanuts character …