We’re looking back at her most iconic looks.

Jennifer Lopez attends the Met Gala wearing a black veil

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Jennifer Lopez is undeniably one of the stars we anticipate most at the Met Gala. With 13 appearances under her belt, she consistently raises the bar with show-stopping looks that not only meet the theme but also redefine it. Now, as a co-chair for the 2024 Met Gala themed “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” alongside Bad Bunny, Zendaya, and Chris Hemsworth, the anticipation for her red carpet reveal is at an all-time high.

Let’s take a journey through her iconic Met Gala moments from 2004 to the present. From her gothic lace gown by Dolce & Gabbana at “Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century” to the unforgettable Versace “naked dress” with a dragon motif at “China: Through The Looking Glass,” and the stunning Balmain masterpiece at “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” in 2018, each ensemble showcases her daring fashion sense and impeccable style. Moreover, they highlight her significant influence on red carpet trends worldwide.

As we eagerly await her 2024 ensemble, let’s celebrate Jennifer Lopez’s Met Gala legacy over the past two decades.

 

2004: “Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century”

Jennifer Lopez wears black dress

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For her first-ever Met Gala in 2004, Jennifer Lopez attended with designers Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce, wearing a gothic, black tiered lace gown by Dolce & Gabbana that perfectly fit the event’s theme,”’Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century.”

 

2006: “AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion”

Jennifer Lopez wears pink dress

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In her Met Gala repertoire, Jennifer Lopez’s 2006 appearance stands out for its understated yet elegant vibe. Wearing a one-shoulder, light pink gown by Versace, she exuded timeless glamour. Despite its simplicity, her ensemble captured attention, elevated by her voluminous blown-out tresses and sparkling jewels. It was a moment of refined sophistication that showcased Lopez’s ability to command attention with subtlety and grace.

 

2007: “Poiret: King of Fashion”

Jennifer Lopez wears silver dress

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At the 2007 “Poiret: King Of Fashion” Met Gala, Jennifer Lopez’s silver beaded column gown by Marchesa, with its elegant bateau neckline and cap sleeves, subtly reflects the freedom and structural simplicity that Poiret championed. The embellished waist and the shimmer of the gown echo the opulence of the early 20th century. Her hairstyle, adorned with a vintage-inspired hairpin, nods to the artistry of the period, while the tight curls evoke the era’s glamorous, sculpted hairdos.

 

2008: “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy”

Jennifer Lopez wears blue dress

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At the 2008 Met Gala, themed “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy,” Jennifer Lopez made a splash in a seafoam green gown by Alberta Ferretti. The stunning dress exuded a mermaid-like aura, thanks to its tiered detailing and ethereal color. Lopez’s frosty makeup, adorned with shimmering silver and blues, beautifully complemented the aquatic allure of her ensemble. With her mesmerizing look, she appeared as if she had emerged from the pages of a fantastical tale, capturing the imagination of all who beheld her.

 

2010: “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”

Jennifer Lopez wears grey and gold dress

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At the 2010 Met Gala, Lopez embodied a princess in her breathtaking Zuhair Murad gown. The singer dazzled in the intricately embroidered tulle creation, and her smokey eye makeup added a sultry edge to her otherwise ethereal look.

 

2011: “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty”

Jennifer Lopez wears red dress

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At the 2011 Met Gala, which celebrated the theme “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” Jennifer Lopez honored the late designer’s influence by wearing a stunning gown courtesy of Gucci. Her choice was a fuchsia silk chiffon number that featured a dramatic floral shrug with petals on the shoulders, which created a beautiful, bold silhouette that was in line with McQueen’s dramatic aesthetic. The gown itself had a plunging neckline and a fitted waist that cascaded into a flowing train, embodying the mix of sensuality and romance often seen in McQueen’s work. Her look was complemented by sleek, pulled-back hair and makeup that emphasized her natural beauty.

 

2013: “PUNK: Chaos to Couture”

Jennifer Lopez wears black cutout dress

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At the Met Gala in 2013, Jennifer Lopez fully embraced the punk spirit with her daring ensemble. She wore a body-hugging, long-sleeve cheetah print sequined gown by Michael Kors, who accompanied her as her date for the evening. Lopez committed wholeheartedly to the punk theme, styling her hair in an edgy faux-mohawk and opting for a smoky makeup look. Her bold and rebellious choices added a fierce edge to her overall appearance, showcasing her fearless approach to fashion on the prestigious red carpet.

 

2015: “China: Through the Looking Glass”

Jennifer Lopez wears red dragon dress

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Arguably one of the singer’s most iconic Met Gala looks to date, Jennifer Lopez wore a “naked dress” from Versace in 2015. Accompanied by Donatella Versace herself, Lopez stunned in the gown, which featured an intricately beaded red dragon motif. This design fit perfectly with the “China: Through the Looking Glass” theme, aligning beautifully with its artistic and cultural influences.

 

2017: “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between”

Jennifer Lopez wears powder blue dress

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After her last two Met Gala appearances in head-turning, body-hugging, sheer gowns, Jennifer Lopez returned in 2017 in something a bit more demure. Looking every bit the epitome of Old Hollywood glamor, she wore a flowing blue Valentino gown, designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli, that featured a long, dramatic cape. Her hair was styled in a sleek updo, accentuating her striking features and the gown’s elegant lines. Lopez accessorized with diamond jewelry, adding just the right amount of sparkle to her sophisticated ensemble.

 

2018: “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”

Jennifer Lopez wears blue and black dress with cross

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In 2018, Jennifer Lopez graced the Met Gala red carpet with yet another iconic moment, perfectly embodying the theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” Her Balmain gown was a true work of art, featuring a form-fitting silhouette embellished with an intricate cross design on the torso, a striking thigh-high slit, and a lavish feathered train. The dress effortlessly merged high fashion with references to the ornate decoration often found in religious art and iconography. Lopez completed her ensemble with a sleek bob hairstyle, elegantly swept back to accentuate her signature smokey eye makeup, exuding an aura of divine elegance and sophistication.

 

2019: “Camp: Notes on Fashion”

Jennifer Lopez wears silver sequin dress

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At the 2019 Met Gala, themed “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” Jennifer Lopez fully embraced the extravagant and playful spirit of the event. She glittered in a silver beaded fringe gown by Versace, complemented by a matching flapper-style headpiece that added to the whimsical aesthetic. Lopez elevated her ensemble with a bold Harry Winston 65.32-carat purple sapphire necklace and plenty of diamond jewels, taking her look to the next level of opulence. Her outfit epitomized camp aesthetics with its boldness, theatricality, and extravagant embellishments.

 

2021: “America: A Lexicon of Fashion”

Jennifer Lopez wears brown dress with cowboy hat

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When it comes to Met Gala themes, some celebrities just get it, and Jennifer Lopez is definitely one of them. Her 2021 ensemble affirmed this understanding perfectly. That year, the Met Gala celebrated the evolution of American fashion, and J.Lo embraced the theme with a Western-inspired look designed by the king of Americana, Ralph Lauren. She donned a custom embroidered gown complemented by a faux fur cape and cowboy hat. The outfit was completed with vintage accessories—such as a belt, necklaces, and bracelets—all sourced from Ralph Lauren’s archives.

 

2023: “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”

Jennifer Lopez wears pink and black dress

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After a hiatus in 2022, Jennifer Lopez made a triumphant return to the Met Gala in yet another Ralph Lauren creation. Her gown paid homage to the late Karl Lagerfeld, to whom the night was dedicated. The top portion of her dress, crafted from rich black velvet, featured a halter neckline adorned with rosette detailing and a daring cut-out midsection. The gown flowed into a light-pink silk skirt with a dramatic black bow-shaped train, exuding an air of timeless elegance with a modern twist. Completing her ensemble, the singer accessorized with a black veiled fascinator, opera-length gloves, and dazzling Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, cementing her status as a red carpet icon.