What Rihanna, Zendaya & More Stars Wore to Their First Met Gala

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You never forget your first time. But in case you're fuzzy on which designers Zendaya, Harry Styles, Kim Kardashian and more stars tapped for their Met Gala debuts, we're reliving all the magic. 

Why, yes, Elle Fanning does place some sentimental value on her first Met Gala appearance

"I was 13, and it was the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition," the Oscar-nominated actress recounted to Vogue of her 2011 debut alongside Dakota Fanning. "I went with Valentino and I went with my sister and, my god, it was just an incredible experience. I was freaking out that I was so young and that they invited me to go."

In her feminine, color-blocked Valentino 'fit, "I looked like a little Oreo, in the best way—navy and white lace little short skirt."

As for Met Gala regular Sarah Jessica Parker, she couldn't help but wonder the label she wore for her first outing in 1995. 

"This dress is a little bit mysterious," the Sex and the City alum noted to Vogue in 2022 of her pick for the Haute Couture theme. "My guess is that this was a dress from a thrift store, which then I had tailored, and clearly did my own hair and makeup."

Going a similar vintage route for her first Met last year, Chappell Roan tapped Wicked costume designer Paul Tazewell to source a patchwork suit and complementary feathered cape from eBay that had her looking very much like a pink pony girl. 

But having told Vogue that "beauty isn't everything—it's the only thing," she asked makeup pro Pat McGrath to ensure she was hot to go.

To channel "the glamour and freedom of the disco era," McGrath explained, "We layered shimmering metallics with illustrated wings, chrome lashes, and rhinestone accents. It’s maximalist, metallic, and made to move."

While stars' Met Gala debuts run the gamut, there's one throughline: Scoring an invite to the first Monday in May's legendary fundraiser is a big frickin' deal. 

She might be a veteran at the Metropolitan Museum of Art now, but in 2015, a Fausto Puglisi-clad Zendaya—styled by Law Roach—was "very nervous," she admitted to Vogue of having no place to put her cell phone, "being like, 'How am I going to call Law or call my dad or call someone to pick me up when I'm done? How am I going to get out of here?'" 

Fortunately, it turns out there was, in fact, a way home for the Spider-Man star. As for her journey to those famed steps, we're looking back at her and other stars' first times. 

Rose Hartman/Getty Images

Naomi Campbell in 1990

In Versace

Ke.Mazur/WireImage

Sarah Jessica Parker in 1995

In a thrift store find

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow in 1995

In Calvin Klein

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Kate Moss, Calvin Klein & Christy Turlington in 1995

In Calvin Klein (Moss)

Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

Salma Hayek in 1997

In Versace

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Gisele Bundchen in 1999

In Versace

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Victoria Beckham in 2003

In Dolce & Gabbana

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Nicole Kidman in 2003

In Gucci by Tom Ford

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Kate Hudson in 2003

In Stella McCartney

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Eva Mendes in 2004

In Zac Posen

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Jimmy Fallon in 2004

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Diane Kruger in 2004

In Balenciaga

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Naomi Watts in 2004

In Marc Jacobs

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Serena Williams in 2004

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Emmy Rossum in 2005

In Ralph Lauren

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com

Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen in 2005

In Oscar de la Renta (Ashley) and a vintage dress from What Comes Around Goes Around (Mary-Kate)

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Sienna Miller in 2006

In Burberry Prorsum

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Jessica Alba in 2006

In Calvin Klein

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Rihanna in 2007

In Georges Chakra

Brian ZAK/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Kerry Washington in 2007

BILLY FARRELL/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Cameron Diaz in 2007

In Dior

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Beyoncé in 2008

In Armani Privé

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com

Blake Lively in 2008

In Ralph Lauren

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Taylor Swift in 2008

In Badgley Mischka

CHANCE YEH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Amber Rose & Kanye West in 2009

In Carolina Herrera (Rose) 

CHANCE YEH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake in 2009

In Versace (Biel) 

CHANCE YEH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Anne Hathaway in 2009

In Marc Jacobs

CHANCE YEH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Leighton Meester in 2009

In Louis Vuitton

CHANCE YEH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Katy Perry in 2009

In Tommy Hilfiger

CHANCE YEH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Emma Stone in 2009

In Matthew Williamson

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