The Met Gala theme for 2027, “John Galliano: Horizons,” is causing outrage in some corners of the internet. But a look back shows that this isn’t the first time a theme has caused a stir.
The theme for the 2027 Met Gala has been announced: “John Galliano: Horizons.”
In recent years, John Galliano has repeatedly caused a stir and sparked controversy. His career has been a roller-coaster ride full of dramatic highs and lows. At the height of his career as Dior’s creative director, Galliano reinvented fashion and broke new ground: Fashion became theatrical rock ’n’ roll and permanently transformed runway culture. In 2011, the fashion house parted ways with the British designer due to several anti-Semitic and racist remarks. Despite these controversies, he remained attractive to other fashion houses: Maison Margiela seized the opportunity and appointed Galliano as creative director. He has been working independently since 2024 and is currently collaborating on a collection with Zara.
The Met-Mess Chart
This isn’t the first time a Met Gala theme has sparked debate. In the past, there has often been a barrage of criticism—either because of the theme itself or because of how guests interpreted and executed it. That’s why we devised the Met Gala Chart and listed the ten most controversial editions on it.
Here’s an overview of the ten most chaotic Met Gala themes and how they were brought to life:
1999: Rock Style
The Met Gala aimed to highlight the influence that more than 40 rock stars have had on the fashion world since the 1950s. How did the majority of the guests interpret the theme? They didn’t at all—most guests showed up in ordinary evening gowns. Well, except for Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney. They arrived in DIY T-shirts that they had made the night before.
2008: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
The focus was on the influence of superheroes, comics, and supernatural powers on fashion. People expected capes, armor, or masks. But… they gave us nothing. As the Met Gala’s themes have become more abstract with each passing year, some guests apparently couldn’t keep up. They preferred to play it safe and look chic rather than be perfectly “on theme” but end up looking ridiculous.
2009: Models as Muses: Embodying Fashion
The goal was to showcase how models inspired designers and the fashion world. Guests were asked to present looks worn by legendary models or inspired by iconic moments in fashion history. The theme drew heavy criticism for romanticizing the dark side of the fashion industry. Some guests even brought a model along as their muse, literally. It often looked as if they were carrying a human accessory on their arm instead of a handbag.
2013: Punk: Chaos to Couture
This year’s theme was the fusion of punk and haute couture. Punk represents an attitude that consistently rejects social norms. Since punk isn’t merely an aesthetic but a mindset, the term loses its meaning as soon as it’s exploited for commercial gain. It’s no coincidence that a well-known slogan of the movement is “Eat the Rich.” On the first Monday in May 2013, however, there was nothing to eat for true punks, because all the “food” was at the Met Museum.
2015: China: Through the Looking Glass
The theme was intended to celebrate the influence of Chinese art on Western high fashion, but drew heavy criticism for its clichéd Western perspective. In retrospect, the theme said more about the U.S. than it did about China. The spectrum ranged from cultural misunderstandings (such as Lady Gaga in a kimono) to stereotypical portrayals (such as Emma Roberts with chopsticks in her bun) to the disregard of Chinese designers.
2018: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination
That year, the Met Gala was dedicated to the influence of Catholicism on the fashion world. This time around, there was no fault to be found with the celebrities; many interpreted the theme with extraordinary creativity. Although the exhibition had even been approved by the Vatican in advance, the event sparked a wave of criticism, as many felt that the display of religious symbols on a glamorous red carpet was disrespectful. From today’s perspective, however, this combination seems even more controversial: an exclusive celebration of the super-rich that pays homage to one of the world’s most powerful and conservative institutions.
2019: Camp: Notes on Fashion
Instead of camping in nature, this theme was all about exaggerated art, humor, and uncompromising self-expression. In English, the term “camp” also refers to the ironic celebration of “bad taste.” The guests’ outfits were correspondingly flamboyant. Lady Gaga’s four costume changes and Katy Perry’s giant chandelier look remain unforgettable. Although the theme was generally well-received and considered surprisingly uncontroversial, some critics felt that the performances could have been even bolder. It was also disappointing that only two drag queens were invited. After all, it was primarily the drag subculture that gave the term “camp” its meaning in the first place.
2023: Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty
The life’s work and influence of the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld were the theme of the 2023 Met Gala. Most guests stayed very true to the theme. They wore classic black-and-white outfits, Chanel, pearls, or dressed up as Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette. The tribute also drew criticism. While Karl Lagerfeld was a fashion icon, during his lifetime he repeatedly drew attention for problematic statements about women’s bodies as well as for his stance on the #MeToo movement.
2024: Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion
The 2024 Met Gala was dedicated to the theme “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” while the dress code for the red carpet was “The Garden of Time.” The concept centered on historic, particularly fragile garments that can no longer be worn and used nature as a symbol of the transience of fashion.
Instead of embracing the spirit of the theme, however, many guests focused more on a literal interpretation of the theme. The result was a flood of floral outfits, which at times made the event resemble an allotment garden.
Honorable Mention:
2016 Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology
The focus was on the interplay between artisanal precision and machine-based manufacturing. At the time, it was a successful theme and, in most cases, was also creatively executed. In retrospect, however, it was also a harbinger of the job apocalypse and the flood of AI-generated slop that is now sweeping through the fashion industry.
Find out exactly what to expect from the next Met Gala theme here.
If you’re interested in which stars wowed the crowd at last year’s Met Gala—and which ones didn’t—click here.
Photos: © picture alliance (dpa)
