2013 Met Gala: Punk Meets Glamour in Jaw-Dropping Celebrity Looks and Shoes

A swarm of Hollywood A-listers, stylish celebrities, and designers gathered for the 2013 Met Gala, the star-studded launch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Institute Exhibit. That year’s theme, “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” sparked one of the most memorable—and daring—Met Gala red carpets in recent history.

Attendees fully embraced the rebellious spirit of punk. Some dyed their hair, amped up the dark makeup, and chose edgy accessories; some outfits were downright outrageous. The result? A dazzling display of high-fashion chaos that still stands out more than a decade later.

Now, looking back, it’s clear just how influential that night was in blending couture with counterculture. Revisit these bold celebrity looks—and let us know who nailed the punk aesthetic best.

1. Nicole Richie Goes Cyberpunk in Topshop and White Hair

Someone must have been set to replace Halle Berry as Storm in X-Men. Kidding aside, Nicole Richie did seem to channel Storm’s look with that white-dyed hair and dark makeup.

Totally punk, huh? Other than those, however, everything else was vintage. Topshop’s high-neck, long-sleeved column dress looks a little classic, especially with the embroidery.

Nicole Richie channels her inner Storm with white-dyed hair and dark makeup at the 2013 Met Gala (Credit: Joel Ginsburg / Alberto Reyes / Rob Rich / Andres Otero / WENN)

2. Cara Delevingne Stuns in Spiked Burberry and Smoky Eyes

Sexy punk! That perfectly describes Cara’s look for the night. She dazzled in a black, plunging dress featuring spiked studs on the bodice and long sleeves.

To fit more into the theme, she wore smoky eye makeup and punk-inspired accessories, including clip earrings and a knuckle ring.

Cara Delevingne rocks a daring spiked Burberry dress, embodying punk glamour at the Met Gala

3. SJP Owns the Red Carpet in Philip Treacy Mohawk Headpiece

Mohawks are probably the most popular hairstyle among real punks. Although we didn’t see a real hair transformation at the Met Gala 2013, SJP showed us how to style a mohawk.

She wore a custom headpiece by Philip Treacy, which added a hint of fierceness to her dramatic paint-splattered gown.

Sarah Jessica Parker makes a bold statement with a Philip Treacy mohawk headpiece at the Met Gala

4. Cameron Diaz Adds Edge with Stella McCartney and Spiked Belt

Simple and still pretty, Cameron Diaz showed that a few accessories can help transform a look. She wore a plain royal blue custom gown with a stylish cape, and her spiked belt added the punk effect to that elegance.

Cameron Diaz blends elegance with punk, sporting a spiked belt on a royal blue Stella McCartney gown at the Met Gala

5. Lily Collins Is a Punk Princess in Moschino and a Studded Jacket

Here’s Lily Collins, who is genuinely into the punk style. She slipped into a black lace-and-silk-tulle gown, which was perfect for the event’s theme, but she decided to add a touch of vintage flair by wearing a jacket embellished with badges and studs.

The blue streak on her hair and her dramatic makeup were the finishing touches to her themed look.

Posing with her boyfriend, Jamie Campbell Bower, Lily Collins embraces her punk side in a black Moschino gown adorned with vintage accents at the Met Gala

6. Ashley Olsen Goes Gothic Chic in Sheer Dior Couture

So, how does a gothic-chic gal dress punk? Unfortunately, Ashley Olsen didn’t allow us to find out as she ignored the gala’s theme. Nevertheless, her beaded Dior dress with a sheer overlay was eye-catching and noteworthy.

We were supposed to include her twin sister (Mary-Kate) here, but we didn’t have available photos of her. She wore a Chanel dress to the event and paired it with an oversized fur-trimmed robe.

Ashley Olsen opts for gothic chic in a beaded Dior gown, skipping the punk theme at the Met Gala

7. Taylor Swift Rocks J. Mendel with Smoky Eyes and Lace Insets

Country singer Taylor Swift proved she can also be a rock babe. She displayed her punk-rock chic in a J. Mendel gown with an embellished neckline and lace insets. Her smoky eyes completed her themed look!

Taylor Swift showcases her punk-rock side in a J. Mendel gown with lace insets at the Met Gala

8. Miley Cyrus Gets Bold in Mesh Marc Jacobs Gown

Ever since she cut her hair, Miley Cyrus has been showing off her punk side, so her look at the Met Ball 2013 wasn’t a surprise.

She didn’t opt for a mohawk with her hair, but instead went for a messy look. Her mesh gown, featuring a nude lining, is from Marc by Marc Jacobs. Overall, Miley gave off a sexy-punk vibe.

Miley Cyrus sports a messy do and a mesh Marc Jacobs gown, giving off a sexy-punk vibe at the Met Gala

9. Katy Perry Is Gothic Royalty in Dolce & Gabbana Joan of Arc Dress

Katy Perry’s look was more dramatic and costumey than punk. It was as if she were proclaiming herself the queen of the night, wearing a crown with matching cross earrings that were distinctly gothic. Her stunning “Joan of Arc” dress features intricate metallic embellishments.

Crowned as gothic royalty, Katy Perry wore a Joan of Arc-inspired, intricately embellished Dolce & Gabbana dress, complemented by elegant black ankle-strap heels, at the Met Gala

10. Anne Hathaway Debuts Blonde Hair in Sexy Beaded Valentino

Anne Hathaway was very impressive at the event. She transformed her look into a mix of sexy, edgy, and punk! Her new blond hair matched the night’s theme, and her revealing Valentino dress teased the imagination.

The dress is a see-through gown embellished with beads to cover her private parts somehow. Anne was the sexiest punk!

Anne Hathaway goes bold with a new blonde do and a revealing Valentino gown at the Met Gala

11. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Seduces in Sheer Gucci and Satin Skirt

The always beautiful and sexy-looking English model was a little seductive in her Gucci gown, which features a sheer netted bodice with fringe-like embellishments that appear as a vest to cover her private parts.

While the top is revealing, the skirt remains elegant in metallic satin. Although not a punk outfit, the dress did not fail to turn heads Rosie’s way.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley turns heads in a seductive sheer Gucci gown at the Met Gala

12. Beyoncé Sets the Red Carpet Ablaze in Fiery Givenchy

Stepping out as the honorary chair at the event, Beyoncé ensured she was on fire. Well, seriously, she was like emerging from flames in her Givenchy ensemble. The gown features a crocodile bodice and a black skirt adorned with a golden damask pattern that resembles flames.

She also wore gloves with a matching damask print and knee-high boots of the same design. However, we see no punk here except for the belt. This was not one of her best looks.

As the honorary chair, Beyoncé looked strikingly fiery at the Met Gala in a flame-inspired Givenchy ensemble, featuring a dramatic skirt and coordinating thigh-high boots

13. Jennifer Lopez Goes Fierce in Leopard Michael Kors

Seductive and fierce was J.Lo’s look for the night. Although her tight-fitting leopard-print gown wasn’t punk, she looked sexy. How can you not love her punk-styled hair? Her hairdo and smoky makeup made this one of the fiercest outfits of the evening.

Jennifer Lopez exudes a fierce punk attitude in a tight leopard-print Michael Kors gown at the Met Gala

14. Miranda Kerr Turns Heads in Cutout Michael Kors and Spiked Louboutin

Like J.Lo, Miranda Kerr wore a sexy Michael Kors gown. The piece was perfect for her, showcasing her petite yet sexy frame and toned abs. Her side-swept hair, featuring braids and accessories, including a spiked Louboutin clutch, paid homage to punk.

Miranda Kerr mixes glamour with punk, wearing a sleek Michael Kors gown and a spiked clutch at the Met Gala

15. Rooney Mara Blends Romantic and Edgy in Laced Givenchy

Rooney Mara was one of the best-dressed at the event, although her extremely dark lip shade was the only thing that screamed punk.

She did not embrace the theme, but her Givenchy gown was beautiful and fit her well. It’s a feminine lace gown with edgy zippers and extra laces over the shoulders — a mix of edge and modern flair.

Rooney Mara blended edgy and romantic aesthetics at the Met Gala in a laced Givenchy gown with prominent zippers, completing her striking look with white ankle-strap heels

16. Gwen Stefani Keeps It Cool in Monochrome Margiela Look

We all know that Gwen Stefani has a love for punk. However, she kept it minimal at the Met Gala. She donned a black-and-white outfit with a midriff-baring bodice tied into a bow.

Gwen Stefani stays true to her punk roots with a minimalist black-and-white outfit by Maison Martin Margiela at the Met Gala

17. Rita Ora Tones It Down in Golden Thakoon and Red Lips

The ever-so-bold and daring Rita Ora toned things down this time despite the theme of the night being more her style.

However, she still looked incredible in a Thakoon dress featuring an asymmetrical top and gold chain details. Gold accessories and a red lip shade punctuated her look.

Rita Ora keeps it glamorous yet bold in a gold-detailed Thakoon dress at the Met Gala

18. Blake Lively Shimmers in Drama-Filled Gucci Gown

Blake Lively won’t go punk, agree? We usually see her in high-fashion ensembles on the red carpet, which she kept to at the Met Gala.

Though not theme-appropriate, her gown was gorgeous. While the top was plain, the skirt, with its numerous feathers, added a lot of drama.

Blake Lively avoids punk but dazzles in a dramatic feathered Gucci gown at the Met Gala

19. Kirsten Dunst Bares Skin in Revealing Louis Vuitton Gown

Can you imagine the demure Kirsten Dunst going punk? Well, she didn’t do it at the ball. Instead, she opted for a daring approach.

Her Louis Vuitton gown was revealing with its open back and a halter front that exposed her front cleavage and side boobs. The feathery skirt was unique, but it bordered on tacky.

Kirsten Dunst opts for a daring open-back Louis Vuitton gown, bringing unique flair to the Met Gala

20. Nina Dobrev Fuses Leather and Lace in Monique Lhuillier

Another sexy punk of the night was Nina Dobrev in a Monique Lhuillier creation. Nina donned a laced jumpsuit with a black leather detail for the top and a tulle skirt that made her look fierce! Although it was not full-on punk, it was suggestive enough of the said theme.

Nina Dobrev fused punk edge and elegance at the Met Gala in a Monique Lhuillier creation, pairing a laced bustier jumpsuit with a dramatic tulle skirt and classic black pumps

Looking beyond the iconic 2013 event, Your Next Shoes has consistently covered standout moments from other Met Gala red carpets over the years. From sky-high stilettos to sculptural designer heels, here are more unforgettable Met Gala shoe and fashion highlights: Ask ChatGPT