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Home • Fashion

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala

The dress code for this year's Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala was modeled after the regality of designer Charles James, known for his elaborate ball gowns. Did celebs follow suit? Of course not—but let's see who rocked the red carpet anyway and who missed the mark.
By Essence · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
Lupita Nyong’o

Red carpet favorite Lupita Nyong’o decided to take her real first fashion risk on the red carpet in a netted bedazzled and feathered concoction from Prada with matching shoes and headband. Did it work for the actress?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
02
Rihanna

Rihanna was so in love with last year’s punk theme, she re-lived it again. The singer donned a white bold shoulder cropped top and ruched floor-length skirt by Stella McCartney. Steamy or slightly off course?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
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03
Sarah Jessica Parker

The Sex And The City actress set the stage and followed the dress code in this grande Oscar de la Renta gown with a peplum petal waist and checked train. Is this a best dressed moment or what?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Karwai Tang/FilmMagic
04
Rita Ora

The Brit beauty was all wound up in a champagne-hued sparkling tulle gown by Donna Karan Atelier. However, the star of the show was her thigh-high wrap-around pumps which served all the action. Hot or hmm?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Karwai Tang/FilmMagic
05
Beyonce

Beyonce took a more toned down approach to last year’s fiery Givenchy style and went for a classic beaded peplum number with a matching veil from Riccardo Tisci this year. Is this a best dressed moment for the queen, or what?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
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06
Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian made it back to the MET after rough reviews on the red carpet last year. This season, the star shows off her post-baby body swathed in a silk strapless Givenchy Couture gown wth pockets. Did she get it right this year?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images
07
Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu attends the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
08
Nicole Richie

Richie rocked her own line, House of Harlow 1960, specifically a body-clinging velvet burn-out gown with a major backless moment, and her hair color of choice this year: lavender. Love it or leave it?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
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09
Naomi Campbell

The model stood statuesque in a Givenchy Custom Couture cut-out halter gown with feathered sleeves. Can Naomi ever do any wrong?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
10
Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen has a thing for liquid metallic moments on the red carpet and this year Ralph Lauren was the culprit. Does the model’s ruffled neck style live up to past gowns?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
11
Zoe Saldana

Best Dressed list regular Zoe Saldana opted for a Michael Kors cashmere halter bodice gown with a voluminous floral lace effect skirt. Did she make the cut this time around?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic
12
Joan Smalls

Queen of the catwalk, Joan Smalls, sauntered onto the steps in this nude sculpted bodice wand chiffon train by Vera Wang and a surprisingly purple pout. Hot or not?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic
13
Solange Knowles

Solo was feeling peachy keen in this bold 3.1 Philip Lim layered dress and a spiky new ‘do. What do you think of the new look?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Larry Busacca/Getty Images
14
Gabrielle Union

The Being Mary Jane star also marched to the beat of her own fashion theme song in a Swarovski crystal and beaded Prada cropped top and feathered skirt simply finished with satin Prada sandals. Fab or drab?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
15
LaLa Anthony

Purple reigned on the red carpet when Ms. Anthony walked through covering her curves in Cushnie et Ochs with a vampy lip. Is this fabulous fit for LaLa?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
16
Chanel Iman

The model was something out of a Great Gatsby film swathed in a custom silk origami Topshop gown, soft waves and Lorraine Schwartz jewels. Fab or drab?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images
17
Jourdan Dunn

Jourdan Dunn was a ray of sunshine in a canary colored custom Topshop silk garbadine gown with a peek-a-boo bodice. Is she a top model in this style?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Larry Busacca/Getty Images
18
Zoe Kravitz

The Divergent star had a case of scarlet fever in a custom Topshop gown complete with cool details like thigh-high split and Y-neckline. Marvelous or missed the mark?

Fab or Drab?: 2014 Met Gala
Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images