From Balmain Debut To Oscar De La Renta Bride: Ranking Kylie Jenner's Most Iconic Met Gala Looks (2024 Update)

As of December 18, 2025, Kylie Jenner remains one of the most anticipated attendees at the annual Met Gala, with her fashion choices consistently setting social media ablaze and defining the evening's most talked-about moments. Her journey from a reality television star to a global beauty mogul and fashion icon is perfectly mirrored in her red carpet evolution at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala, where she has delivered a series of high-fashion, high-impact looks that honor the themes while maintaining her signature aesthetic. This comprehensive look dives into every one of her appearances, ranking the most memorable ensembles and exploring the stories behind the stunning couture.

Kylie Jenner: Biography and Profile

Kylie Kristen Jenner is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman who rose to international fame through the E! reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007–2021) and its successor, The Kardashians (2022–present). Born on August 10, 1997, in Los Angeles, California, she is the youngest daughter of Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner).

• Full Name: Kylie Kristen Jenner
• Date of Birth: August 10, 1997
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Occupation: Media Personality, Businesswoman, Socialite
• Known For: Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Founder of Kylie Cosmetics, Khy (Fashion Line)
• Parents: Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner
• Siblings: Kendall Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian (half-siblings)
• Children: Stormi Webster and Aire Webster (with Travis Scott)

The Evolution of a Fashion Icon: Kylie Jenner's Met Gala Looks, Ranked

Kylie Jenner has been a fixture at the Met Gala since her debut, showcasing a remarkable transformation in her personal style and her influence in the fashion world. Her looks often feature body-con silhouettes, high-shine fabrics, and dramatic elements, collaborating with some of the world's most prestigious design houses, including Balmain, Versace, and Oscar de la Renta. Below is a definitive ranking of her Met Gala looks, from her most recent appearance to her unforgettable debut.

1. 2019: Purple Princess in Versace (Theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion)

Kylie’s 2019 look is arguably her most successful and on-theme ensemble to date. She fully embraced the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme in a custom-made, all-purple Versace gown. The vibrant, mermaid-cut dress was heavily embroidered with Swarovski crystals and featured large, dramatic feathered sleeves and a matching purple wig. She coordinated the look with her sister, Kendall Jenner, who wore a fiery orange version, cementing the sisters' status as "Camp" royalty for the night.

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2. 2024: The Swan-Esque Garden Bride in Oscar de la Renta (Theme: The Garden of Time)

Her most recent appearance at the 2024 Met Gala saw Kylie in a custom cream Oscar de la Renta gown, which was a soft, romantic interpretation of the "The Garden of Time" dress code, inspired by the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibit. The strapless, light champagne dress featured a chic V-neck, an ankle-length design, and a dramatic panel of fabric that flowed into a train. The look was completed with a delicate flower in her hair and a controversial "bullet bra" top, which some fans likened to an elegant, swan-esque wedding dress rather than a direct translation of the theme.

3. 2016: The Debut in Balmain (Theme: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology)

Kylie Jenner made her Met Gala debut in 2016, immediately establishing herself as a red-carpet force. She wore a silver, fringe, beaded Balmain design with sheer side panels, perfectly fitting the "Manus x Machina" theme. The glittering, heavily embellished gown was a collaboration with designer Olivier Rousteing and was a bold choice for a debut, showcasing a mature and futuristic style. This was also the night of a minor wardrobe malfunction where the dress caused her legs to bleed, highlighting the "fashion is pain" reality of the event.

4. 2023: Sculptural Statement in Haider Ackermann for Jean Paul Gaultier (Theme: Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty)

For the "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" tribute, Kylie opted for a dramatic two-tone asymmetrical dress by Haider Ackermann for Jean Paul Gaultier. The gown featured a striking red interior lining contrasted with a soft blue/lilac exterior, making a bold, sculptural statement that stood out among the sea of black and white tributes to the late designer. Her choice was praised for its unique shape and vibrant color palette.

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5. 2022: The Off-White Bridal Tribute (Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion)

Kylie’s 2022 look was one of her most discussed, as it was a tribute to the late designer Virgil Abloh, the founder of Off-White. She wore a voluminous, white Off-White gown that resembled a wedding dress, complete with a ruffled skirt and a sheer veil attached to a backwards baseball cap. While the look was polarizing and widely debated by fans for its interpretation of the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" theme, it was a deeply personal and meaningful homage to Abloh, who was a friend of the Jenner family.

6. 2017: Nude Illusion in Versace (Theme: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between)

In her second year, Kylie wore a sheer, soft peach nude Versace gown that was a continuation of the "nude illusion" style popular at the time. The heavily beaded dress featured intricate embellishments and a dramatic feather train. While a stunning look, it was a more conventional choice that many felt did not fully capture the avant-garde spirit of the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons" theme, which called for experimental and boundary-pushing fashion.

7. 2018: Post-Baby Return in Alexander Wang (Theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination)

Marking her first major red-carpet appearance since the birth of her daughter, Stormi Webster, Kylie attended the 2018 Met Gala with her then-partner, Travis Scott. She wore a strapless black Alexander Wang gown that featured a dramatic silver zipper detail and a cutout at the stomach. While the look was a chic, figure-hugging choice, it was considered a more subtle interpretation of the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" theme compared to the elaborate, religious-inspired outfits worn by other attendees, such as her sister Kim Kardashian.

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Beyond the Red Carpet: Controversies, Tributes, and Wardrobe Malfunctions

Kylie Jenner's Met Gala history is not just a collection of stunning dresses; it’s a narrative filled with high-stakes fashion moments, personal tributes, and the inevitable drama that comes with wearing custom couture. These moments add topical authority to her red-carpet legacy, highlighting the human element behind the glamour.

The Painful Debut Wardrobe Malfunction

One of the most memorable non-fashion moments came during her 2016 debut in the Balmain gown. The heavily beaded, metallic dress was so restrictive and abrasive that the intricate beading cut into her legs, causing her to bleed on the red carpet. Jenner later shared photos of the painful aftermath, a stark reminder that even the most glamorous fashion requires significant sacrifice.

The Virgil Abloh Tribute

The 2022 Off-White wedding dress was a deeply personal tribute that transcended the simple interpretation of the theme, "In America: An Anthology of Fashion." The gown, which was one of the last designs by the late Virgil Abloh, was intended as an emotional homage to the former Louis Vuitton menswear artistic director and Off-White founder, who had passed away in 2021. This decision to honor a friend and a visionary designer over a literal interpretation of the dress code provided a touching narrative to her appearance.

Skipping the Gala and Fan Reaction

Kylie Jenner was notably absent from the 2021 Met Gala, which was held in September due to pandemic-related delays. She announced on social media that she would not be attending, stating she was "so sad" to miss the event. At the time, she was pregnant with her second child, Aire Webster, a common reason for the high-profile star to miss the annual fashion event. Her absence, along with that of other key family members like Khloé Kardashian, always generates significant buzz and speculation among fashion enthusiasts and the media.

Kylie Jenner’s Met Gala journey is a perfect case study in modern celebrity fashion. From her early, body-conscious Balmain and Versace looks to her more recent, sophisticated collaborations with Haider Ackermann and Oscar de la Renta, she has consistently used the event to solidify her status as a global fashion and beauty mogul. Her ability to generate conversation—whether through a polarizing bridal look or a stunningly on-theme purple fantasy—ensures that her presence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art steps will remain a must-watch event for years to come.