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Introduction
When it comes to the Met Gala — the most exclusive, avant-garde fashion night of the year — Blake Lively is not just an attendee, she’s a reigning queen. Known for her exquisite taste, elegance, and theatrical flair, Blake has delivered jaw-dropping looks year after year.
In this post, let’s relive the Blake Lively Met Gala looks of 2018 & 2022 and revisit these two unforgettable style statements. From designer details to symbolic storytelling, here’s why Blake Lively’s Met Gala gowns are burned into fashion history.
#1 Blake Lively’s 2018 Met Gala Look: The Divine Queen of the Red Carpet
When we talk about Met Gala royalty, Blake Lively’s 2018 entrance is at the top of that throne. The theme for the year was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”, and Blake didn’t just show up — she delivered a fashion sermon.
The Look That Shut Down the Carpet
Blake arrived at the steps of the Metropolitan Museum in a look that redefined Met Gala glamour.
Designer: Custom Versace
Dress Details:
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A deep crimson velvet and gold gown, intricately embellished with beading and embroidery that took over 600 hours to make.
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The bodice featured a structured, corset-like design that gave her a regal silhouette.
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A dramatic, cathedral-length embroidered train swept behind her — equal parts queen, goddess, and art piece.
Accessories:
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A custom halo crown and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry added divine energy.
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Her Christian Louboutin heels were even customized with her family’s names.
It wasn’t just a dress. It was a masterpiece.
Why 2018 Was So Iconic for Blake?
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She Was Her Own Stylist:
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No stylist. Just her personal taste and vision. She reportedly started prepping the look 10 months in advance!
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Color Symbolism:
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The wine-red color reflected royalty, power, and religious richness — exactly in tune with the “Heavenly Bodies” theme.
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Perfect Execution:
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Hair, makeup, accessories, everything aligned into a flawless fashion moment that still lives rent-free on Pinterest and Instagram.
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Blake’s 2018 Look & Indian Fashion Buzz
Blake’s 2018 Met Gala gown had immense cultural crossover appeal in India — and still inspires Indian fashion today.
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Bridal Lehenga Inspiration:
The rich color palette, velvet fabric, and embroidery details were seen in countless bridal lehenga designs post-2018. -
Halo Headpiece Trend:
Her headgear sparked a halo-style accessory trend for Indian brides looking to channel divinity and drama. -
Gown-to-Lehenga Crossovers:
Designers took cues from her silhouette to create Indo-Western fusion gowns perfect for receptions or sangeet nights.
Legacy Look: Timeless and Talked About
Years later, Blake’s 2018 Met Gala gown is still regularly ranked in:
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“Best Met Gala Looks of All Time”
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“Most Expensive Dresses Worn on the Red Carpet”
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Pinterest boards for bridal fashion inspiration
Her commitment to the theme, her attention to detail, and her fearless embrace of drama made this look an unforgettable moment in fashion history.
Quick Breakdown: Blake Lively 2018 Met Gala Look
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Theme | Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination |
| Designer | Versace (custom) |
| Jewelry | Lorraine Schwartz |
| Crown | Halo-inspired golden headpiece |
| Shoes | Custom Louboutin with family names |
| Time to create | 600+ hours |
#2 The 2022 Met Gala: A Gilded Masterpiece
The theme for the 2022 Met Gala was Gilded Glamour, paying homage to the opulence and innovation of late 19th-century America. While many stars dazzled in golds and corsets, Blake Lively raised the bar with a look that was part fashion, part architectural tribute, and fully iconic.
The Reveal That Broke the Internet
Blake arrived at the steps of the Met in a copper-toned gown with an oversized bow and matching gloves. But just as the cameras started flashing, she transformed.
In a single swoop, her copper train unfurled into a stunning teal extension, mirroring the oxidation of the Statue of Liberty — a clever nod to New York’s most enduring symbol.
This transformation wasn’t just theatrical — it was deeply symbolic, making it one of the most viral red carpet moments in Met Gala history.
Designer & Inspiration: A Versace Vision
This masterpiece was custom-designed by Atelier Versace, and it was more than just a gown — it was a love letter to New York City. Every detail had meaning:
- Copper to teal transition: Represents the Statue of Liberty’s patina.
- Art Deco patterns: Inspired by the Empire State Building and Grand Central Terminal.
- Star motifs on her tiara: A reference to the crown of the Statue of Liberty.
Donatella Versace herself called it “a gown that captures the spirit of New York’s past and future.”
Hair, Makeup & Accessories: Regal Meets Modern
Blake’s beauty game was just as strong as her gown:
- Hair: Pulled into a twisted bun with vintage waves, evoking classic Hollywood meets New York royalty.
- Makeup: Glowy skin with bronzed cheeks, copper eyeshadow, and a glossy nude lip — effortlessly radiant.
- Accessories: A spiked tiara (echoing Lady Liberty) and opera gloves added theatrical drama to the look.
Why India (and the World) Fell in Love With It
Blake’s Met Gala 2022 moment resonated far beyond the U.S. Fashion bloggers in India, beauty creators, and bridal designers drew heavy inspiration from her dual-tone gown and regal styling.
Indian designers even cited the look as an influence in creating color-changing lehengas, now trending in modern bridal fashion. From Instagram reels to wedding inspiration boards, her dress has become a style symbol across cultures.
Fashion Takeaways: What We Can Learn
- Fashion that tells a story is unforgettable: Blake’s 2022 look wasn’t just pretty — it had historical and emotional depth.
- Dramatic reveals work: Whether it’s a dupatta drape or a lehenga skirt twist, consider adding surprise elements to your style.
- Be intentional with accessories: Every piece Blake wore — from her gloves to her tiara — enhanced the narrative.
#3 Blake Lively’s 2016 Met Gala Look: Floral Fantasy with a Futuristic Touch
For the 2016 Met Gala, themed “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”, Blake Lively struck the perfect balance between romantic elegance and modern glamour. She graced the red carpet in a blush-toned silk gown by Burberry, featuring delicate floral appliqués cascading down the train.
While many guests opted for metallic and edgy silhouettes that year, Blake stood out with her soft, ethereal beauty — proving that technology-inspired fashion could also be feminine and timeless. The strapless silhouette hugged her baby bump (she was pregnant with her second child at the time), making the moment even more radiant.
She styled the look with a sleek updo, glowing makeup, and minimal jewelry — letting the embroidery and fabric do all the talking. It was a gentle reminder that even in a tech-driven theme, romance and craftsmanship still reign supreme.
#4 Blake Lively’s 2023 Fashion Moments: Effortless Elegance & Maternity Glamour
While the Met Gala red carpet missed its queen in 2023, Blake Lively still owned the fashion headlines. She may have skipped the stairs of the Metropolitan Museum that year, but her style — particularly her pregnancy glow — was nothing short of iconic.
From bold maternity dresses to post-pregnancy red carpet magic, Blake’s 2023 fashion served power, playfulness, and pure luxury.
#5 Blake Lively’s 2024 Fashion Moments: Bold, Bright, and Unapologetically Blake
Blake Lively may have skipped the Met Gala red carpet again in 2024, but that didn’t stop her from dominating fashion headlines. This year, she reminded the world exactly why she’s one of the most-watched celebrity style icons — no stylist, no rules, just pure sartorial confidence.
From high-voltage color play to unexpected silhouettes, Blake’s 2024 fashion showcased her evolution into a more experimental, playful, and powerful muse.
And, due to some personal reasons, she did not attend the Met Gala event of 2025 as well. Although she skipped the event, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have continued to maintain a strong presence in the public eye, appearing at high-profile events like the premiere of Lively’s film Another Simple Favor and the TIME100 Gala.
Final Thoughts: Blake’s Legacy in Fashion
When it comes to unforgettable Met Gala moments, Blake Lively’s 2018 and 2022 appearances stand in a league of their own.
Whether she’s radiating divine opulence in an embroidered Versace masterpiece (2018) or stopping time with a live transformation gown paying homage to New York architecture (2022), Blake doesn’t just dress for the theme — she becomes the moment.
These looks weren’t just viral red carpet moments; they were fashion history in motion — studied, celebrated, and still shaping trends years later.
Blake’s dedication to storytelling through style, her hands-on approach to fashion without a stylist, and her eye for detail make her a Met Gala icon, not just an attendee.
Even in the years she skips the carpet, her past looks continue to dominate social media, mood boards, and bridal inspirations across the globe — especially in fashion-loving markets like India and the U.S.
Her 2018 velvet-and-gold gown and her 2022 Statue of Liberty reveal are more than outfits; they’re cultural touchstones.
In the world of high fashion, where fleeting trends rule, Blake Lively’s Met Gala style is timeless, theatrical, and always unforgettable.
If you’re as obsessed with dramatic reveals as we are, stay tuned — we’ve got more celebrity fashion breakdowns coming soon.
