Every year, we excitedly wait for both the Met Gala’s theme announcement and the Met Gala red carpet itself. The Met Gala has always been marked on our calendars, as the day we set aside time to look at one of fashion’s biggest events. Without fail, fashion’s biggest night revives everyone’s love for grandiose looks. Years after the night, we still daydream about the grand gowns and costumes some of our favorite celebrities wore — many of which include the dresses Blake Lively has worn.
Ever since her first appearance at the Met Gala 16 years ago, Lively has wowed in daring, colorful gowns that perfectly symbolize each theme. In 2022, a year she co-chaired alongside Ryan Reynolds, Regina King and Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lively wore one of our favorite looks to date in a Versace dress inspired by the Statue of Liberty that transformed from copper to blue right in front of our eyes.
Last year, however, fans were saddened to hear that Lively wouldn’t be going to the 2023 Gala. After all, we all know she would’ve rocked the “in honor of Karl” theme given her friendship with the late designer.
Today, we’re looking back at all her Met Gala looks over the years. From her very first “Superhero” look in 2008 to the gown she calls “her favorite dress ever” in 2018, every look she wore was a winner.
In honor of Lively’s birthday today, check out all the looks Lively rocked at the Met Gala over the years below!
2008: “Superheroes”
For the 2008 Met Gala, stars came up with gowns and tuxedos for the theme “Superheroes” and Blake Lively truly looked super. For her first Met Gala appearance, the Gossip Girl alum rocked an all-black ensemble. She wore a black Ralph Lauren strapless gown with feathers on the skirt, matching gloves, and dazzling bracelets.
2009: “The Model As Muse”
Blake Lively looked so fierce the following year at the 2009 Met Gala “The Model As Muse.” She arrived in an asymmetrical blue Versace gown and simple accessories.
2010: “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”
Lively was clearly in her blue era when she arrived at the next Met Gala event themed “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity” in a similar blue hue. In 2010, she arrived in this fun asymmetrical Marchesa minidress and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.
2011: “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty”
For the 2011 Met Gala, everyone came to wear their most daring looks for the theme “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” including the Green Lantern star. Lively looked like royalty when she stepped out in this bold, embroidered Chanel Haute Couture gown with Christian Louboutin sandals next to Karl Lagerfeld himself.
2013: “PUNK: Chaos to Couture”
For the 2013 Met Gala, themed “PUNK: Chaos to Couture,” Lively went all out with a dress that screamed rocker chic. Not only did she rock an elaborate gown from Gucci Première gown, but she also wowed with an elaborate black smoky eye makeup.
2014: “Charles James: Beyond Fashion”
Who could forget the 2014 Met Gala: “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” and the iconic looks that came out of it? Lively turned heads when she arrived in this renowned Gucci Première gown and hairstyle that screamed Old Hollywood. Along with her infamous gown, the 2014 Met Gala was also where she and Ryan Reynolds made their long-awaited red carpet debut.
2016: “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”
For the 2016 Met Gala, the theme was “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” and nearly everyone arrived in metallic, techno-themed ensembles — except Lively. She looked like an ethereal goddess when she arrived at the Met Gala in this floral, baby-pink gown from Burberry.
2017: “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons”
For the 2017 Met Gala, the theme was “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons,” and it led to some memorable looks. Lively stunned in this intricate gold and blue Atelier Versace gown.
2018: “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”
The 2018 Met Gala was one of the most controversial and epic themes to date, donning the theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” Nearly five years later, we’re still daydreaming about the extravagant ensembles — with Lively’s towards the top of the list. The A Simple Favor star arrived in a fully custom outfit, headdress and all. She wore a custom-made halo by Lorraine Schwartz and a custom red and gold Versace gown.
In an interview with Vogue, Lively said the Versace gown was her “favorite dress ever.” We couldn’t agree more!
2022: “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”
At the 2022 Met Gala, co-host Blake Lively wore two striking Versace looks: one glittery gown dripping with rose gold, and…
2022: “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”
A second look that elicited cheers from onlookers — a perfect ice-blue Cinderella moment, complete with long gloves. Talking about the inspiration behind her look, Lively explained it was all inspired by the process of patina in copper, much like in the Statue of Liberty.
“I arrived in copper and it [patinated] to a fair degree,” she told E! News. Other details in her looks included a constellation from the Grand Central Sttion, architectural details from the Empire State Building and a crown inspired by the Statue of Liberty.
Gilded glamour? We think so.
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