11 Fashion Designers In Front of the Camera at the Met Gala

The Met Gala, which happens on the first Monday of May, is not only a huge event for the celebs attending but is also monumental for the fashion designers who are creating their looks. For months, designers from all over the world work hard to put together the impressive ensembles that grace the gala’s red carpet. However, it’s not all just toiling behind the scenes— fashion designers typically attend the famous event, too. They often are snapped walking in with the celebrity they’ve dressed or rubbing elbows with other designers in attendance.

From Marc Jacobs to Donatella Versace, many designers have participated in the festivities through the years. Here, we take a look back at a few of them.

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs, the New York City-based designer known for his eponymous fashion brand, attended the 2005 Met Gala with none other than Lil’ Kim. Jacobs outfitted the performer for the event in a fuchsia velvet gown with a large rosette detail on its front. According to the rapper, the dress ended up in a museum.

Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood, who passed away in late-2022, attended the 2013 Met Gala dressed in a long, colorful gown and overcoat combo with a picture of whistleblower Chelsea Manning pinned to her lapel. The theme that year was “Punk: Chaos to Couture.”

Tom Ford

American designer Tom Ford is pictured here posing next to Vogue's Anna Wintour, Nicole Kidman, and Adrien Brody in 2003. The theme this year was “Goddess.”

John Galliano

In 2006, John Galliano, known as the former creative director of Christian Dior, was snapped on the Met Gala’s red carpet with actress Charlize Theron. The designer held this role at Dior from 1996 to 2011, and took the same job at Maison Margiela in 2014 .

Donna Karan

Not only has the American designer dressed many celebrities for the Met Gala, but she has also attended the extravagant benefit a handful of times herself. Here’s Karan in 2008 with design consultant Rogan Gregory, arriving at the Met Gala in one of her own looks, of course.

Miuccia Prada

Prada’s head designer, Miuccia Prada, can be seen here walking into the 2005 Met Gala dressed in an ankle-length printed dress, white gloves, and an oversized bucket hat. The theme for 2005’s event was “House of Chanel,” and Anna Wintour, Nicole Kidman, and Karl Lagerfeld all served as co-chairs.

Christopher John Rogers

Designer Christopher John Rogers poses here with actress Jordan Alexander during the 2021 Met Gala. Rogers told Vogue that he took a “more emotional approach to the theme,” which was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.”

Carolina Herrera

In 1983, the inimitable Venezuelan fashion designer Carolina Herrera waltzed into the museum wearing a breathtaking black dress paired with oversized earrings and an eye-catching capelet. Other prominent designers in attendance that night included Bill Blass, Diane von Furstenberg, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Donatella Versace

Donatella Versace in a gorgeous floor-grazing strapless yellow gown with sequin and embroidery detailing while arriving at the 2007 gala. That year, the theme was “Poiret: King of Fashion.”

Stella McCartney

Over two decades ago, Stella McCartney attended the Met Gala in a loose-fitting, long-sleeved gown with a plunging neckline and sequined hem. At the time, she had recently started her own adventure creating her own label after leaving Chloé as its creative director in 2001.

Kerby Jean Raymond

Kerby Jean Raymond of Pyer Moss attended the 2021 event dressed in a nearly all-red outfit complete with chain details and studded suede boots.

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