5 Decades Of Daring: Cher's Most Iconic And Audacious Met Gala Moments, From The 'Naked Dress' To Her Surprise 2019 Return

Cher, the undisputed Goddess of Pop, has a Met Gala history that is as long and dazzling as her career, spanning over five decades and setting a standard for high-fashion audacity that few have matched. As of the current date, December 12, 2025, her early appearances remain the most talked-about moments in the event's history, defining the very essence of the "naked dress" trend.

Her collaboration with legendary designer Bob Mackie produced two of the most significant and boundary-pushing looks ever seen on the Metropolitan Museum of Art steps, cementing her legacy not just as a singer and actress, but as a true fashion revolutionary. This deep dive explores the full timeline of her Met Gala journey, including the surprising, more recent appearance that many fans missed.

Cher's Profile: The Goddess of Pop Biography

Born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California, the artist known simply as Cher has built one of the most enduring and multifaceted careers in entertainment history. Her Armenian-American and Cherokee heritage has often influenced her unique aesthetic and stage presence.

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Rising to fame in the 1960s as half of the folk-rock duo Sonny & Cher alongside her late husband, Sonny Bono, she quickly transitioned into a solo music career and later, a critically acclaimed acting career.

Her professional accolades are vast, including an Academy Award (for *Moonstruck*), a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, and three Golden Globes, making her one of the few artists to achieve the EGOT nomination status.

As of 2025, Cher is 79 years old, and her influence on music, film, and fashion remains unparalleled.

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• Full Name: Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPierre
• Born: May 20, 1946
• Birthplace: El Centro, California, U.S.
• Primary Professions: Singer, Actress, Television Personality, Director
• Key Accolades: Academy Award, Grammy Award, Emmy Award, Golden Globe Awards
• Iconic Collaborator: Bob Mackie

The Birth of the 'Naked Dress': 1974 and 1985

Cher's most famous Met Gala moments are intrinsically linked to the designer Bob Mackie, her long-time collaborator and creative partner. Together, they pioneered the concept of the "naked dress," a style that continues to dominate red carpets today, proving Cher was decades ahead of her time.

1974 Met Gala: 'Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design'

The 1974 Met Gala, themed "Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design," marked Cher's first major appearance and instantly became a fashion landmark.

She arrived in a sparkling, sheer chiffon gown designed by Bob Mackie. The dress was a masterpiece of illusion, featuring strategically placed embroidery and feathers that gave the appearance of nudity while maintaining a dramatic, glamorous silhouette.

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This look was so groundbreaking and controversial that it earned the nickname "The Naked Dress." It was a bold, audacious statement that challenged the conservative fashion norms of the time.

The significance of the dress was further amplified when Cher wore it again for a 1975 cover shoot for *TIME* magazine, photographed by the legendary Richard Avedon, solidifying its place in pop culture history.

1985 Met Gala: 'Costumes of Royal India'

A little over a decade later, Cher returned to the Met Gala, again on the arm of Bob Mackie, for the "Costumes of Royal India" theme.

While the theme suggested traditional garb, Cher and Mackie delivered their own interpretation of extravagant glamour. She wore a dazzling, bedazzled unitard—essentially a sheer, low-cut bodysuit—paired with a sculptural, feathered headpiece and a dramatic skirt.

This outfit was another testament to her fearless approach to fashion, blending the theme's opulence with her signature sheer, body-conscious style. The look was a continuation of the "naked" aesthetic she had established, proving that she was the master of high-impact, show-stopping glamour.

The Unexpected 2019 Return: A Camp Performance

For many years, Cher's Met Gala story seemed to end with her iconic 1980s appearances. However, she made a memorable, albeit non-red-carpet, return in 2019, adding a new chapter to her history with the event.

The 2019 Met Gala theme was "Camp: Notes on Fashion," a concept perfectly suited to Cher's decades-long career of theatrical and exaggerated style.

While she skipped the red carpet itself, the 72-year-old superstar made a surprise appearance inside the event. She performed a medley of her hits, including "Believe" and "If I Could Turn Back Time," for the A-list crowd.

For her performance, Cher wore a sheer, black, crystal-embellished jumpsuit with a dramatic, voluminous wig, a look that paid homage to her own history of sheer, Bob Mackie-esque ensembles.

This appearance was a powerful moment of topical authority, proving that while new generations of stars embrace the "naked dress" trend—like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian—the originator of the style is still the ultimate reference point for camp and glamour.

Cher's Enduring Influence on Met Gala Fashion

Cher’s fashion legacy is one of unwavering confidence and theatricality, and the Met Gala served as the perfect stage for her boldest statements. Her looks are not just historical footnotes; they are the foundation for modern red-carpet dressing.

The sheer, sparkling, body-baring aesthetic that Cher and Bob Mackie perfected in the 1970s and 1980s continues to be the blueprint for countless celebrities at the annual Costume Institute Gala. Every time a star wears a sheer gown, a unitard, or a dramatic feathered headpiece, they are walking in the footsteps of the original Goddess of Pop.

Her two main appearances—1974 and 1985—are consistently ranked among the most iconic and outrageous Met Gala looks of all time, overshadowing many of the more recent, highly publicized outfits. This fact underscores her unique position as a trendsetter who was pushing boundaries long before the Met Gala became the global media spectacle it is today. Her rare, selective appearances have only amplified the mystique and legendary status of her contributions to fashion history.