Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6909164g)
Carolina Herrera attends the Costume Institute's annual gala to preview the 'American Women of Style' exhibition in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, New York
We begin with Carolina Herrera, as dignified as ever, if also the victim of some unfortunate satin.
1975: Barbara Walters
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6909166u)
Barbara Walters attends the Costume Institute's annual gala to preview the 'American Women of Style' exhibition in the Metropolitan Museum of Art on December 10, 1975 in New York. Article title: 'Two-party system
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute's Gala, New York
Baba Wawa LOVED a good party, methinks.
1975
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (10471630a)
Diana Vreeland discusses with Women's Wear Daily her latest exhibition for the Costume Institute, 'American Women of Style' at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on December 1, 1975 in New York.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute 'American Women of Style' Exhibition Preview with Diana Vreeland, New York - 1 Dec 1975
This is a quick break from the actual event to show you Diana Vreeland previewing 'American Women of Style.' I thought the mannequin here was neat...
1975
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6905889h)
Diana Vreeland discusses with Women's Wear Daily her latest exhibition for the Costume Institute, 'American Women of Style' at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, here a jumpsuit designed for Josephine Baker on December 1, 1975 in New York. Article title: 'On the Art Circuit: 'American Women of Style'
Diana Vreeland, New York
... and this is one of a few Josephine Baker outfits that were included. It's too bad no one WORE it.
1975: Oscar and Francoise de la Renta
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6909164b)
Oscar and Francoise de la Renta attend the Costume Institute's annual gala to preview the 'American Women of Style' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, New York
These two seem terribly graceful.
1977
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6906576u)
Barbara Walters in gold lame Halston and Estee Lauder in Dior attend the opening of the Costume Institute's latest show called 'Vanity Fair', a treasure trove of 500 exotic, whimsical and luxurious items orchestrated by Diana Vreeland at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on December 12, 1977 in New York. Article title: 'Vanity Fare
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, New York
Babs here is in gold lame Halston, and Estee Lauder is in Dior. Informative Caption says they're at "'Vanity Fair', a treasure trove of 500 exotic, whimsical and luxurious items orchestrated by Diana Vreeland." I would like to see that TODAY, please and thank you.
1977
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6906576c)
James Lipton and friend attend the opening of the Costume Institute's latest show called 'Vanity Fair', a treasure trove of 500 exotic, whimsical and luxurious items orchestrated by Diana Vreeland at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on December 12, 1977 in New York. Article title: 'Vanity Fare
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, New York
That, my friends, is James Lipton. I'm unclear whether that's his wife from this era, Kedakai Turner Lipton, but did you know that Kedakai was Miss Scarlett on the cover of the original Clue board bame? FACTS. They are fun
1977
NEW YORK CITY - DECEMBER 12: Karl Katz and Jackie Onassis attend Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Exhibition Gala on December 12, 1977 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
I had a lot of closer B&W pics of this dress, but couldn't resist using the one that revealed it as red.
1979
Jackie Onassis at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Jackie went with a lot more froof two years later, but actually, I think I like it better? It's more fun.
1979
Angela Lansbury during Costume Institute Gala Presents "Fashions of The Hapsburg Era" at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
OUR QUEEN. Of COURSE she rocked a caftan to this.
1979: Debbie Harry
Deborah Harry and Guest during Costume Institute Gala Presents "Fashions of The Hapsburg Era" at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
This photo feels so right for 1979.
1981
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6906569mr)
The scene during Diana Vreeland's 10th annual Costume Institute costume exhibit ball at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on December 8, 1981 in New York. Article title: 'Louise meets the Met
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute 1981 Gala, New York
This theme was "The Eighteenth-Century Woman." Mostly, I ignored the bajillions of photos of anonymous socialites/people I don't recognize, but I did make this one exception, because OBVIOUSLY.
1981
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6906569ik)
The scene during Diana Vreeland's 10th annual Costume Institute costume exhibit ball at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on December 8, 1981 in New York. Article title: 'Louise meets the Met
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute 1981 Gala, New York
Okay, two exceptions.
1981: Isabella Rossellini
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6906569bc)
The scene during Diana Vreeland's 10th annual Costume Institute costume exhibit ball at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on December 8, 1981 in New York. Article title: 'Louise meets the Met
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute 1981 Gala, New York
She would wear that EXACT outfit right now, today. She probably HAS reworn it.
1981
American fashion designer Calvin Klein and Somali fashion model Iman at the Met Gala, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, USA, December 1981. (Photo by Rose Hartman/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
In case you wondered if she was always a traffic-stopping beauty: yes.
1983
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6906578al)
Iman attend the Costume Institute annual gala with a retrospective of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on December 6, 1983 in New York. Article title: 'Great Yves-ning
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, New York
1983: Mariel Hemingway
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6906578ax)
Underdressed Mariel Hemingway (left) and Amy Irving, both in Perry Ellis - sometimes just being pretty is enough (but tuxless Ellis is FV)
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, New York
Informative Caption got SNARKY here. It says, "Underdressed Mariel Hemingway in Perry Ellis." Where's the lie?
1983
NEW YORK CITY - DECEMBER 5: Actress Amy Irving and guest attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala Exhibition of "Yves Saint Laurent: 25 Years of Design" on December 5, 1983 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Captioner also side-eyed Amy Irving (also in Perry Ellis) for being underdressed, and while I don't LIKE her outfit, I also can't figure out why it is in the same doghouse as Mariel's.
1983: Brooke Shields
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6906578er)
Brooke Shields - where's Calvin?
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, New York
And this caption was, "Brooke Shields. Where's Calvin?!" As if she and Klein were attached at the hip. Her outfit is a labored concoction.
1983: Linda Grey
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6906578fa)
Linda Gray of 'Dallas' in Bob Mackie - 4 Nielsen stars
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, New York
And the caption said here, "Linda Gray of 'Dallas' in Bob Mackie - 4 Nielsen stars!" I agree. She is a dish.
1983
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock (6906578em)
Ann Getty, toast of the Coast, in YSL
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, New York
And this says, "Ann Getty, toast of the coast!" Was Ted Casablanca writing these back in the day?
1985: Margaux Hemingway
NEW YORK CITY - DECEMBER 9: Actress Margaux Hemingway attends The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala Exhibition of "Costumes of Royal India" on December 9, 1985 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
That's a big jacket, Margaux.
1985: Cher in/with Bob Mackie
NEW YORK CITY - DECEMBER 9: Fashion designer Bob Mackie and singer/actress Cher attend The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala Exhibition of "Costumes of Royal India" on December 9, 1985 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
NEW YORK CITY - DECEMBER 9: Singer/Actress Cher attends The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala Exhibition of "Costumes of Royal India" on December 9, 1985 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
And Cher is just casually pulling off this whopping ear ornament, as she does.
1987
NEW YORK CITY - DECEMBER 7: Model Kim Alexis attends The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala Honors the Career of Diana Vreeland on December 7, 1987 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
We lose a lot here, in terms of the archives, but I couldn't deny you Kim Alexis in a frumpy Dynasty blazer-dress.
1987
NEW YORK CITY - DECEMBER 7: Banker Paul Hallingby and wife Mai attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala's "Dinner with D.V." Honors the Career of Diana Vreeland on December 7, 1987 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Okay this is the third exception to my rule about not downloading people I don't recognize, because this dress had to be made known.
1987
NEW YORK, NY - CIRCA 1987: Barbara Walters and Merv Adelson attend the Annual Costume Institute Exhibition Gala (1987) "Dinner with D.V." honoring Diana Vreeland at the Metropolitan Museum of Art circa 1987 in New York City. (Photo by PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty Images)
Baba Wawa AGAIN with the dazzle.
1988
NEW YORK, NY - CIRCA 1988: Bob Mackie and Bernadette Peters attend the Annual Costume Institute Exhibition Gala (1988) "From Queen to Empress: Victorian Dress 1837-1888" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art circa 1988 in New York City. (Photo by PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty Images)
Bernadette Peters is always a welcome sight. That's a rule of the universe.
1988
NEW YORK, NY - CIRCA 1988: Gina Lollobrigida attends the Annual Costume Institute Exhibition Gala (1988) "From Queen to Empress: Victorian Dress 1837-1888" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art circa 1988 in New York City. (Photo by PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty Images)
And Gina Lollobrigida got in on the action.
1991: Lynda Carter
Lynda Carter during The Costume Institute Gala - December 9, 1991 at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
This feels like such a nighttime soap situation. She could shrug that sucker off on ANY bearskin rug.
1992: Christy Turlington
Christy Turlington (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
And we close this slideshow with the classic STUNNING wonder that is Christy Turlington, in a pearl choker that's really more of a turtleneck but which she's pulling off to perfection.
