Let’s Take a Trip Back to the 1992 Met Gala

The Met Gala looked a lot different 20 years ago. See Joan Rivers' extravagant pearls, Christy Turlington's fashion-ode to Audrey Hepburn and more 1992 Met Gala looks.

By Allison Crist May 02, 2022 7:00 AMTags
Watch: BEST Met Gala Looks of All Time: Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya & More!

Prepare for a fashion blast from the past. 

Though it seems impossible to imagine, there was once a time in which the Met Gala was not a product of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The British journalist has certainly played a big role in making the annual event what it is today—she's been the gala's chair since 1995, after all—but the soiree actually dates back to 1948, when it was simply a midnight supper that invited guests could attend for $50 a ticket.

The gala, also known as the Costume Institute Benefit, remained that way until fashion editor Diana Vreeland became a special consultant to the Institute in 1972. Before long, the dinner had transformed into a grand affair, with figures like Jacqueline Kennedy and Pat Buckley signing on to co-chair.

Vreeland passed away in 1989, and it wouldn't be until '95 that Wintour would take over and up the benefit's ante even more. So where did that leave the event 20 years ago in 1992?

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Stars' First Met Gala Appearances

Well, there may not have been a star-studded lineup of co-chairs, but the 1992 Met Gala was fabulous, nonetheless. The theme was "Fashion and History: A Dialogue," and icons like Joan Rivers and Christy Turlington brought their A-game to the red carpet. 

Scroll on to see their looks and more photos from the 1992 Met Gala.

Joan Rivers
Christy Turlington
Mary McFadden
Bill Blass and Lynn Wyatt
Pauline Trigere
Dewi Sukarno
Nina Griscom
Michael York and Patricia McCallum
Casey Ribicoff
Maria Sydney
Ben Gazzara
Anne Bass
Don't miss E!'s Live From E!: 2024 Met Gala red carpet Monday, May 6, starting at 6 p.m. for every must-see moment from fashion's biggest night. And tune in to E! News Tuesday, May 7, at 11 p.m. for a full recap of every jaw-dropping look and all the behind-the-scenes moments.