Met Gala: The 30 best gowns of all time

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1979: Style icon Jackie Onassis was a fashion force at the "Fashions of The Hapsburg Era" gala. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
1982: Raquel Welch stunned in a python-print dress and a pearl choker with matching earrings at the "La Belle Epoque" MET gala. Ron Galella/WireImage)
1985: Cher was clearly inspired by the year’s theme, "Costumes of Royal India,” though she showed off a bit more skin than most royals would. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
1995: What theme? Gwyneth Paltrow stuck to a simple turquoise shift dress for the “Orientalism” gala. (Photo by Ke.Mazur/WireImage)
1996: Princess Diana dazzled at the “Haute Couture” gala in a boudoir-inspired dress paired with her iconic pearl-and-sapphire choker. (Photo by Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
1998: Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, attended the 50th Anniversary Of The Costume Institute Gala sporting a classic black-velvet number. (Photo By Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images)
1999: For the “Rock Style” gala, Charlize Theron forewent the theme altogether and chose an ultra-feminine ensemble. She finished the look with a strand of delicate pearls and a lilac silk shawl. (Photo By Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
2003: Nicole Kidman certainly lived up to the “Goddess” gala’s theme in a glittering, one-shouldered gown. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic)
2004: Natalie Portman was beautiful in a slate-blue frock during the “Dangerous Laisons: Fashion and Furniture” gala. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic)
2005: Jessica Simpson showed off her curves at the “Chanel” gala in a mermaid-style floral gown. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
2006: Celebrating her inner Brit at the "AngloMania" gala, Drew Barrymore looked lovely in a black-and-nude lace ensemble.
2007: All eyes were on Cate Blanchett during the "Poiret: King of Fashion" gala, where she donned a golden, flapper-inspired gown by Balenciaga. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
2007: Rihanna, meanwhile, wore a white chiffon halter dress that showed plenty of cleavage. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic)
2007: Sandra Bullock wowed in a pleated Alberta Ferretti gown with matching lipstick. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
2008: Dazzling in a glittering Giorgio Armani number, Julia Roberts walked-arm-in-arm with the fashion designer at the “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy” gala. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
2009: For the "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion" gala, Ashley Olsen subverted the theme by donning one of her own designs.
2009: Sun-kissed Jessica Biel, on the other hand, played the muse to Versace in a corseted red gown with a hi-low hemline.
2010: Eva Mendes paid homage to her Miami roots at the "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" gala by donning a spectacular Dolce & Gabbana floral number. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
2010: Jessica Alba proved to be a thrifty fashionista in a one-shouldered Sophie Theallet for Gap dress that year. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/FilmMagic)
2010: Jennifer Lopez, on the other hand, went haute couture in a dramatic Zuhair Murad gown embellished with an intricate silver-sequin leaf print. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America)
2010: Kate Hudson stayed true to her chic, sexy style in a nude Stella McCartney gown with stem-baring slit. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
2011: The following year, Blake Lively turned heads at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" gala in a Grecian-style Chanel gown, which was very beautiful indeed – but not exactly “savage.” (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
2011: Christina Ricci captured the "Alexander McQueen” theme in a custom Zac Posen creation with an exaggerated mermaid train. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
2011: Diane Kruger was red-carpet perfection in a gorgeous Jason Wu dress, which had a nude embellished top and a long black skirt with a dramatic slit.
2011: Madonna looked elegant in a blue satin Stella McCartney gown with silver star-shaped appliqués. (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
2012: At the “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” gala, Amy Adams chanelled old Hollywood in a one-shouldered Giambattista Valli gown paired with a silver bow belt. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/GettyImages)
2012: Beyoncé showed off her post-baby figure in a revealing Givenchy gown that gave spectators a peek at her enviable derrière. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
2012: Carey Mulligan shone at the gala while paying homage to its theme in a two-toned metallic Prada dress. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
2012: Meanwhile, Emma Stone stood out from the haute-couture crowd in a whimsical Lanvin cocktail number. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
2012: Metallics were big that year and Cameron Diaz joined in on the trend in a backless Stella McCartney gown. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
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