The Met Gala is often billed as fashion’s biggest night, a high-stakes parade of creativity where couture meets culture. But in the midst of avant-garde experiments and boundary-pushing outfits, there’s another subtler tradition: celebrity homages to iconic fashion moments of the past. Some stars wear actual vintage pieces, while others replicate legendary looks worn by the very icons who once stole the spotlight. Here’s a look at six to seven unforgettable Met Gala moments where celebrities clearly—or controversially—wore someone else’s look, raising the age-old question: who wore it better… or first?
1. Kendall Jenner – Audrey Hepburn (2021)
At the 2021 Met Gala, Kendall Jenner turned heads in a sheer, crystal-covered Givenchy gown inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s dress in My Fair Lady (1964). The high collar, delicate beadwork, and refined elegance directly referenced Hepburn’s iconic role as Eliza Doolittle. This was a rare example of modern glamor intertwining with classic Hollywood, paying tribute without being a carbon copy.
2. Kim Kardashian – Cher (2015)
Years before her Monroe moment, Kim channeled Cher at the 2015 Met Gala, wearing a sheer, beaded gown by Roberto Cavalli that paid homage to the Bob Mackie look Cher famously wore to the 1974 Met Gala. Kardashian has openly cited Cher as one of her biggest fashion inspirations.
3. Zendaya – Joan of Arc/Madonna (2018)
Zendaya stunned in a custom Versace armor-inspired look for the “Heavenly Bodies” theme. Many drew comparisons to Madonna’s 1990 Blond Ambition “Joan of Arc” look, with strong similarities in structure and styling. Though not a direct copy, Zendaya’s nod felt unmistakably deliberate.
4. Billie Eilish – Marilyn Monroe (2021)
Before Kim, Billie Eilish gave a softer homage to Marilyn Monroe at the 2021 Met Gala in a billowing peach Oscar de la Renta gown, channeling Monroe’s old-Hollywood elegance. The look echoed Monroe’s glamorous 1950s red carpet appearances, right down to the platinum waves and sweetheart neckline.
5. Kylie Jenner – Virgil Abloh/Off-White Bride (2022)
In an unexpected tribute, Kylie wore a bridal gown by Off-White, complete with a backwards baseball cap and veil, in honor of Virgil Abloh, the late founder of the brand. Though it wasn’t a replication of a previous look worn by Abloh himself, it nodded to Off-White’s signature wedding-themed streetwear aesthetic and was originally designed for a different wearer before his passing.
7. Jared Leto – Karl Lagerfeld’s Cat (2023)
In one of the most literal homages, Jared Leto dressed as Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, at the 2023 Met Gala honoring the designer. But later that evening, he also appeared in a full black suit and sunglasses, mimicking Lagerfeld’s signature look, which has been emulated numerous times by other stars in Lagerfeld tributes (including Gigi Hadid and Cara Delevingne).
