Cher, the 79-year-old music legend, captivated attendees with a bold return to the Met Gala on May 4. She showcased an all-black ensemble that directly references her famous ‘naked’ dress from the 1974 event.

Cher stepped onto the red carpet at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art for the first time since 2015. She wore a custom Burberry creation by designer Daniel Lee: a long silk-tulle twisted dress featuring semi-sheer fabric and a sweeping floor-length train. The look included a leather corset and a cropped leather jacket with structured shoulders adorned in black crystals.

Tribute to a Legendary 1974 Look

This striking outfit pays homage to the feather-trimmed sheer jumpsuit designed by her longtime collaborator Bob Mackie for Cher’s Met Gala debut in 1974.

Recalling the original appearance, Cher stated: “At the first Met Gala, I was naked, and so many people were upset about it, but now people wouldn’t even give it a thought. I was real skinny, so there was nothing really showing.”

Cher highlighted her favorite aspect of the event: “I love to see people expressing themselves and it gives me ideas and encouragement about the generations that are coming up.”

Bob Mackie recently described the frenzy surrounding her 1974 entrance: “The place went crazy. I’ve never seen so many photographers just come out of the shadows at the Met and take her picture.” He continued: “And, of course, she was in every newspaper the next day, and they’ve been printing it in the last 50 years, over and over again.”

Cher’s Met Gala Appearances Over the Years

Cher has walked the Met Gala carpet just three times, including 1974 and 2015. For the 2015 theme, China: Through the Looking Glass, she donned a low-cut sequin gown by Marc Jacobs and arrived with the designer as her date.

In 2019, Cher skipped the carpet but delivered a powerhouse performance of her hits. She wore a sheer black jumpsuit, black leather jacket, and blue wig, as shared by Gwen Stefani via Instagram clips.

2026 Met Gala Theme and Dress Code

This year’s Met Gala centered on the theme Costume Art, with a dress code of Fashion is Art. Co-chairs Anna Wintour, Nicole Kidman, Beyoncé, and Venus Williams oversaw the event. Curator Andrew Bolton’s exhibition examines the dynamic relationship between clothing and the body beneath.