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April 29, 2022

Met Gala: 17unforgettable looks from Rihanna, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez and more

WATCH: Anna Wintour biography takes look at one of the most powerful woman in fashion

For industry insiders, celebrities and paparazzi, the first Monday in May is when all the Met Gala magic happens.

From elaborate ensembles and unforgettable dresses to totally bizarre moments we'll be talking about for years to come — it's undeniably one of fashion's biggest nights.

Who remembers when Katy Perry commanded attention in 2018 with her larger-than-life angel wings? Or, how about when Rihanna wore one of the most exaggerated gowns to ever grace the Metropolitan Museum of Art's staircase?

From "wow" to "wild," here's a look back at 15 looks we will never forget.

MORE: Met Gala: Most memorable fashions of all time

Andre Leon Talley & Anna Wintour

PHOTO: Editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley and Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour attend the Costume Institute gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in 1999.
Rose Hartman/Getty Images, FILE
Editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley and Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour attend the Costume Institute gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in 1999.

In 1999, two of Vogue's most well-known faces, Andre Leon Talley and Anna Wintour, showed up in full glitz and glam.

Rihanna

PHOTO: Rihanna attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, FILE
Rihanna attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City.

When you think of the Met Gala, it's hard not to think of Rihanna's elaborate Guoi Pei haute couture dress worn in 2015 that took over the red carpet -- literally!

Katy Perry

PHOTO: Katy Perry attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty Images, FILE
Katy Perry attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.

Perry took the 2018 Met Gala theme, "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and Catholic Imagination," to new heights when she wore this gorgeous gold Versace dress paired with gigantic feathery wings.

P. Diddy

PHOTO: In this May 1, 2017 file photo Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
In this May 1, 2017 file photo Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

If you want to steal the show, lay back and strike your best pose on the Metropolitan Museum stairs as P.Diddy did in 2017 while wearing a stellar caped tuxedo look.

Kim Kardashian

PHOTO: Kim Kardashian attends the Costume Institute Gala for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 6, 2013, in N.Y.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images, FILE
Kim Kardashian attends the Costume Institute Gala for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 6, 2013, in N.Y.

Kim K. was nearly eight months pregnant when she wore one of the most talked about and meme'd floral print looks in Met Gala history.

Editor's Picks

Sarah Jessica Parker

PHOTO: Sarah Jessica Parker attends the Costume Institute Gala for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, FILE
Sarah Jessica Parker attends the Costume Institute Gala for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City.

Talk about making a statement?! Parker nailed it with this mohawk-shaped headpiece created by award-winning hat designer Philip Treacy.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

PHOTO: Priyanka Chopra attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
Frazer Harrison/FilmMagic/Getty Images, FILE
Priyanka Chopra attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.

Jonas looked like a regal queen at the 2018 Met Gala in her deep rouge-toned velvet Ralph Lauren gown paired with a beautiful gold-beaded hood.

Lupita Nyong'o

PHOTO: Lupita Nyong'o attends the 'Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, FILE
Lupita Nyong'o attends the 'Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City.

Nyong'o's glorious updo is arguably one of the most elevated looks the Met Gala has ever seen. Her textured 'do was a nod to styles worn by Nina Simone and traditional African hairstyles.

Cara Delevingne

PHOTO: Cara Delevingne attends "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.
Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images, FILE
Cara Delevingne attends "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.

Her famous eyebrows usually take center stage, but for the 2017 Met Gala, Delevingne turned heads with her metallic, painted bald head.

MORE: 5 Looks we loved this week: Taylor Swift, Brie Larson, Angela Bassett and more

Solange

PHOTO: Solange Knowles attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York.
Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images, FILE
Solange Knowles attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York.

Solange played off the Met Gala's 2015 theme: "China: Through The Looking Glass" in this breathtaking dress that you can't miss.

Jennifer Lopez

PHOTO: Jennifer Lopez attends the 'Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.
George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images, FILE
Jennifer Lopez attends the 'Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.

J.Lo looked dreamy in this flowy, sheer Valentino look worn to the 2017 Met Gala.

Frances McDormand

PHOTO: Frances McDormand attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
Jamie Mccarthy/Getty Images, FILE
Frances McDormand attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.

One word: wow! McDormand sure knows how to take things to the next level.

Beyoncé

PHOTO: Beyonce attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York.
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images, FILE
Beyonce attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York.

Queen Bey was hard to miss in this embellished ensemble topped with a high ponytail.

Lena Waithe

PHOTO: Lena Waithe attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
Dia Dipasupil/WireImage/Getty Images
Lena Waithe attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.

For the 2018 Met Gala, Waithe wore a powerful rainbow-colored Pride flag caped look that felt true to her and so many others.

Kendall Jenner

PHOTO: Model Kendall Jenner attends the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.
J. Kempin/Getty Images, FILE
Model Kendall Jenner attends the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.

Jenner's barely-there gown worn in 2017 is equal parts sexy and sassy.

Lady Gaga

PHOTO: Brandon Maxwell and Lady Gaga attend The Metropolitan Museum Of Art's 2019 Costume Institute Benefit "Camp: Notes On Fashion" at Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 6, 2019, in New York.
Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Brandon Maxwell and Lady Gaga attend The Metropolitan Museum Of Art's 2019 Costume Institute Benefit "Camp: Notes On Fashion" at Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 6, 2019, in New York.

Lady Gaga stunned onlookers by transforming into a trio of vibrant looks as she was escorted on the 2019 pink carpet wearing a voluminous hot pink Brandon Maxwell ensemble.

Lil Nas X

PHOTO: Lil Nas X attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Lil Nas X attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York.

The rapper dazzled in an amazing gilded Versace look that included a cape and jumpsuit.

SLIDESHOW: Memorable dresses from past Met Galas

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on May 6, 2019.