The first Monday in May usually signifies two important occasions: the official end of the Justin Timberlake “it’s gonna be May” joke and, more importantly, the Met Gala.
Fashion icon Anna Wintour has been known to keep a tight guest list for the exclusive invite-only event held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, but the sports world has been well represented in recent years. Venus Williams and Russell Westbrook are among the athletes who typically put their most fashionable foot forward for “The Oscars of the East Coast.” Naomi Osaka even co-chaired the event in 2021.
Last year, Roger Federer was a co-chair alongside Wintour, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel, Penélope Cruz and Andrew Bolton.
The theme for this year’s gala is “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” and the official dress code is “The Garden of Time.”
Among the celebrities, athletes have been known to crush it on the red carpet.
Ben Simmons was one of the athletes who exemplified the theme by accessorizing his Thom Browne-designed suit with a clock briefcase.
Angel Reese, Serena Williams, Nelly Korda and Odell Beckham Jr. were among the stars who took a less literal interpretation of the event’s theme.
Here are some of the looks from this year and previous years:
2024
And more Thom Browne! Basketball player @BenSimmons25 has arrived at the 2024 #MetGala in a custom square-shoulder oversized coat in tartan tweed. The look is based on Browne’s fall 2024 collection. See more details here: https://t.co/3dCgWU5F80 pic.twitter.com/NQBnmjEGMm
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 6, 2024
The Chi-Town Barbie is at the Met Gala 🤩
Happy birthday, Angel!
Angel is in 16Arlington by Marco Capaldo. pic.twitter.com/PTWZJvyGJS
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 7, 2024
Sir Lewis Hamilton never disappoints ✨ pic.twitter.com/qXtJhYgeFu
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) May 7, 2024
Gold and @serenawilliams just go together 🥇
The 4x Olympic gold medalist showed out at the #MetGala. pic.twitter.com/ZsNHxu1DSg
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) May 7, 2024
A moment for the World No. 1 ✨
Olympic gold medalist @NellyKorda is the first women’s golfer to attend the #MetGala. pic.twitter.com/hbWXeJlgQI
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) May 7, 2024
Odell Beckham Jr. at the #MetGala pic.twitter.com/1YSDUlrr11
— NFL (@NFL) May 7, 2024
Stefon Diggs walks his first red carpet as a Houston Texan in custom H&M to the 2024 #MetGala. See the details of his look here: https://t.co/mjxt4NHQGX pic.twitter.com/92v47Abi0V
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 7, 2024
2023
“Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”
2022
2021
Theme: “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”
.@naomiosaka melds Haitian and Japanese influences in a magnificent look by @LouisVuitton as she arrives at the #MetGala. pic.twitter.com/2dTCXmasZ7
— British Vogue (@BritishVogue) September 13, 2021
2019
Theme: “Camp: Notes on Fashion”
OBJ‼️‼️‼️ #MetGala pic.twitter.com/4zOz5iZzHP
— olivia (@lovehrought) May 6, 2019
Serena Williams #MetGala pic.twitter.com/pCaw9KYDrm
— Met Gala 2023 (@2015smetgala) May 6, 2019