Jennifer Lopez's Most Stunning Met Gala Looks We'll Never Forget

The Met Gala isn't just a regular fashion event; it's a cultural phenomenon — a night where the biggest names in entertainment, fashion, and art celebrate creativity and raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Jennifer Lopez is one of the event's most celebrated veterans and was finally offered the role of co-chair in 2024. In an Instagram video, she expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "When Anna [Wintour] calls you and asks you to co-host the Met Gala along with her, it's kinda the biggest night in fashion and to raise money for the museum, it was a real honor."

As Lopez has graced the event's red carpet numerous times throughout her career, we're taking a look back at some of her best Met Gala Looks. While she hasn't always adhered strictly to the Gala's themes, she has consistently delivered show-stopping gowns that not many could pull off. And here are her best ones.

At the 2021 Met Gala, Jennifer Lopez stunned the crowd in a beautiful Ralph Lauren ensemble that perfectly encapsulated the theme "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion." The event was all about celebrating American designers, and Andrew Bolton, the head curator of the Met, explained to Vogue just what was expected of the theme. "I think that the emphasis on conscious creativity was really consolidated during the pandemic and the social justice movements," he said. "I really do believe that American fashion is undergoing a renaissance. I think young designers, in particular, are at the vanguard of discussions about diversity and inclusion, as well as sustainability and transparency  ..."

Lopez's outfit for the night exuded a Western-inspired aesthetic, with a brown plunging gown and feather embellishments that were cascading down the train. Accentuating her hips was a thick leather belt, and as far as jewelry goes, the star opted for a chunky belt-like choker, a statement necklace, chunky bracelets, and long dangly earrings. Topping it all off was a classic Americana hat, adding a final touch of drama. Underneath her iconic hat, Lopez's hairstyle was equally noteworthy. Her hairstylist Lorenzo Martin revealed the secret behind her stunning long ponytail to Allure. "To create the long pony, we added Great Lengths 20-inch tape-ins," he said. In the end, Lopez's look not only honored the theme of American fashion but also made for a memorable Met Gala fashion moment.

In 2015, Jennifer Lopez graced the Met Gala's red carpet in a stunning Versace gown, a perfect choice for that year's theme, "China: Through the Looking Glass." The 2015 exhibition was a collaboration between the museum's Department of Asian Art and the Costume Institute, setting the stage for a night of fashion and cultural celebration.

Lopez's look for the occasion was a sheer red beaded gown, reminiscent of the traditional Chinese motif of the dragon. The bold red color symbolized prosperity, adding a vibrant touch to her look. Keeping the rest of her aesthetic elegant, Lopez accessorized with a pair of simple earrings and a red Swarovski crystal clutch, allowing the gown to take center stage. "The Versace dragon dress," was how she referred to it on the red carpet (via Vogue). Despite its intricate design, the star also revealed that she had only two fittings for it.

Jennifer Lopez wowed us all in a custom Versace ensemble at the 2019 Met Gala. It was designed by her close friend Luigi Massi, a talented Versace designer who passed away in April of that year. The theme of the night, "Camp: Notes on Fashion," called for exaggerated and extravagant fashion interpretations, inspired by Susan Sontag's essay "Notes on 'Camp." Lopez's beaded gown and matching wig epitomized the camp aesthetic. The star paired the look with shimmering jewelry and silver accessories, perfectly in line with the extravagant event.

However, Lopez's appearance at the Gala was bittersweet, as she fondly recalled her dear friend Massi, who had played a pivotal role in her fashion journey. "You guys know that I have had a long relationship since [that iconic] green dress, with Versace. I have worn them to so many important moments in my life," Lopez told Vogue ahead of the event. "There was a gentleman named Luigi who was always there with me. He would help design right alongside ... he was Donatella's right hand, and we had over a 20-year relationship. We heard he just passed away in the middle of making my Met Ball gown." Despite the language barrier between them, Lopez and Massi shared a deep understanding and bond forged through their collaborative work over the years. "He didn't speak any English; he spoke Italian. And I didn't speak any Italian, but somehow we always understood each other," Lopez recalled. As Lopez paid tribute to her late friend on the Met Gala red carpet, her stunning ensemble honored his legacy while embodying the spirit of camp fashion.

In 2011, Jennifer Lopez rocked a breathtaking Gucci dress for the Met Gala red carpet. The year's theme was "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" and it served as a beautiful tribute to the iconic designer, featuring pieces from his illustrious archives following his tragic passing just over a year prior.

Lopez radiated beauty and sophistication in a bold red dress decorated with floral embellishments on the shoulders. The tying element around the neck added a touch of the unexpected to the ensemble, perfectly complementing the theme of the event — because anyone familiar with McQueen's work knows that his pieces always had a hint of something unexpected. Lopez paired the gown with delicate jewelry and a sleek updo, allowing the vibrant color to take center stage. A perfect matching red lip added the finishing touch, accentuating her beauty and lending an air of Old Hollywood glamour to the entire look.

The Met Gala's theme in 2006 was "Anglomania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion," attracting tartan, Union Jacks, and glam-rock hairstyles from its A-list stars. Jennifer Lopez made a bold statement by embracing timeless elegance that didn't follow the expected edgy aesthetic. The Gala celebrated British punk icons and the fashion designs of Vivienne Westwood, who is synonymous with the rebellious spirit of the movement.

In her departure from the expected punk-inspired looks, Lopez opted for a classic soft blush one-shoulder Versace gown that showcased her signature figure-hugging style and showed off her infamous curves. She paired the outfit with statement earrings, shiny wrist bling, and a chic hairstyle, and the look gave us everything we expect from red-carpet fashion. In hindsight, Lopez's unique interpretation of the theme allowed her to rock a timeless look — one that we could easily imagine on red carpets today.

For the 2018 Met Gala, the theme was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," and Jennifer Lopez made a memorable entrance in a mesmerizing Balmain gown giving divine glamour. Designer Olivier Rousteing crafted her look, which featured intricate embellishments and feather detailing that captured the essence of the theme. The gown also had a dramatic bejeweled cross in the front and a daring thigh-high slit. In a 2015 interview with Paper magazine, Lopez expressed her admiration for Rousteing's designs. "I know probably every girl thinks this, and that's the genius of a designer: Everybody who puts it on feels like, 'Oh my god, this is made for me!' It's the velvet, it's the sparkle; it's so ready for the spotlight," she gushed (via Hypebeast). "I think every girl who wears any special thing — they want to feel like they're a star. And that's how you feel when you wear one of Olivier's dresses."

In a bold departure from her usual hairstyle, Lopez debuted a chic lob, adding a modern twist to the look. "We cut it today; she said she wanted something different, and the designer wanted something different. We wanted it to look fresh," her hairstylist Lorenzo Martin revealed to Allure. "We just decided it today, like an hour and a half before she left. I didn't even know; she didn't even know we were doing it either." The impromptu decision to cut her hair just hours before the event added an element of spontaneity and excitement to her red-carpet look, and it certainly reflected her willingness to embrace change for an event as big as the Met Gala.

In 2010, the event was themed "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity," celebrating a new decade in America and the evolving cultural landscape — as well as the strength of women. Jennifer Lopez showed up to the Met Gala in a stunning creation by designer Zuhair Murad. While many expected the red, white, and blue hues associated with American symbolism, Lopez opted for a dazzling, sparkly embroidered gown in a sandy-gray color. The gown was pure glamour, and Jennifer Lopez perfectly captured the essence of modern femininity. "One of my proudest red carpet moments was Jennifer Lopez at the 2010 Met Gala," Murad revealed in 2019 to Vogue. "We worked on the dress for more than 1,000 hours, from the design to the hand-embroidery and the tailoring. Of course, the time spent on the gown was worth it, as Jennifer matched every second of its glory that night."

Complementing her look, she kept her accessories minimal, allowing the gown to take center stage. Her hair was styled in a casual updo with curtain bangs, adding a soft and romantic touch to the overall look. The effortless hairstyle perfectly framed her face and enhanced her natural beauty, casually contrasting the intricacy of the dress. To top it off, she added a fun smokey eye, adding an unexpected element to the ensemble — one that ended up working just perfectly!

At the 2017 Met Gala, Jennifer Lopez wore an ethereal sky-blue gown by Valentino. The evening's theme, "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between," celebrated the iconic Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo and her avant-garde creations.

Lopez's choice certainly gave off a princess vibe, mainly due to its voluminous silhouette. The sky-blue color added a whimsical touch, and some even drew comparisons between Lopez's ensemble and the beloved Disney character Elsa from "Frozen." However, we can't deny that her look also exuded vintage glamour with a nod to 1960s style, especially her hair. The star styled it in a chic half-updo, adding a tad of retro charm to the overall aesthetic. The gown's silhouette was a departure from Lopez's usual red-carpet choices, and it certainly showed that she can embrace unconventional and out-of-the-box fashion. Despite covering her body almost entirely, the gown exuded a sense of elegance and sophistication, making it one of her more memorable looks.

Jennifer Lopez certainly made a splash at the Met Gala in 2004 when the theme was "Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century." The star attended the event in a show-stopping dress from Dolce & Gabbana, and the two Italian designers, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, accompanied her on the red carpet. 

Lopez exuded confidence and sophistication in a black lace dress with plenty of intricate details. The garment featured a drop-waist silhouette and a ruffled skirt, adding a touch of romance to the look. The dress' sultry yet sophisticated design complemented Lopez's figure, highlighting her beauty. To complete her look, the star opted for bold accessories, including a fiery red lip which is always a good idea, dangly earrings that caught the light with every move, and a sleek braided bun. The combination of these elements created a memorable visual impact, ensuring that Lopez would return to fashion's biggest night again.

At the 2013 Met Gala, Jennifer Lopez made a fun statement with her edgy look, which was perfectly in line with the evening's theme, "PUNK: From Chaos to Couture." Leopard print is a known staple of punk fashion, but Lopez put her own glamorous spin on it with a figure-hugging Michael Kors gown that was tailored to perfection. 

However, it was Lopez's hair that truly stole the show and embodied the rebellious spirit of punk. The star rocked a faux hawk updo, serving major fierceness. The intricate hairstyle was a true work of art, and pairing it with a bold smokey eye was the perfect choice. By embracing the spirit of punk and putting her own glamorous twist on it, Jennifer Lopez proved that you can play around with different fashion styles while remaining true to yourself. After all, Jennifer Lopez is everything but punk, yet this look somehow works perfectly on her.

German designer Karl Lagerfeld passed away in 2019, and at the 2023 Met Gala, many of the celebrities he dressed paid tribute to him. For the night's theme, "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," Lopez walked the red carpet in a Ralph Lauren gown featuring a daring design with a blush-pink silk skirt that cascaded beautifully. Of course, it was the cleavage-revealing black bodice that truly turned heads, showcasing Lopez's willingness to push boundaries even in her 50s. Accessorized with gloves, a baby-pink clutch, and a veiled hat, Lopez's look was certainly dramatic enough for the occasion.

With her look, Lopez paid tribute to Lagerfeld, a designer she truly admired. "I hate throwing around the [word] 'iconic' because everyone uses it so much, but he actually was such an iconic figure in fashion," the star said on the red carpet (via People). "When you think of the last 50 years, if you think of five people in fashion, he's one of them. What he did with Chanel for so long and keeping that brand so fresh, young, and alive — he really was a genius. I got to meet [Lagerfeld]. For a little girl from the Bronx who kinda aspired to be in the fashion world and to be an entertainer, to meet people like that was always such a dream to me. So, it's a real honor to be here to celebrate him tonight." Lopez's 2023 tribute to Lagerfeld was both stylish and fun, capturing the essence of the late designer's iconic aesthetic while adding her own unique J.Lo twist to the look.

For the 2007 Met Gala, Jennifer Lopez decided to go for timeless elegance and Old Hollywood glamour in a stunning Marchesa gown. The theme of the night was "Poiret: King of Fashion," and Lopez's metallic dress with embellishments around the waist certainly captured the essence of Paul Poiret's legendary fashion legacy — after all, the designer was one of the biggest names in the industry in the first 20 years of the last century.

To enhance the beauty of the dazzling gown even more, Lopez styled her hair in voluminous diva curls, evoking the iconic hairstyles of Hollywood's golden era. The addition of a delicate butterfly clip on one side of the hairstyle helped elevate the look even more, making the musician and actor look like fashion royalty. At the 2007 event, Lopez was the epitome of red-carpet fashion, proving just why she is celebrated as one of the most influential fashionistas in the world of the rich and famous.