The Met Gala has long been a stage for bold fashion statements, and few celebrities have seized its spotlight as brilliantly as Doja Cat. From her daring 2023 debut to the sculptural feline masterpiece of 2025, Doja Cat Met Gala appearances have become must-see moments for fashion devotees. Let’s revisit her most memorable looks and the inspiration behind them.
Doja Cat’s Met Gala journey began in 2023 when she channeled Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat Choupette, making her entrance in a sparkling Oscar de la Renta gown complete with hooded cat ears. The look was whimsical yet elegant, featuring a mermaid silhouette and a feathered train. Her creative team enhanced her features with prosthetics to give her a feline-inspired face, while makeup artist Ernesto Casillas crafted a soft but defined cat-eye and a jeweled third eye for an artistic touch. As Vogue details, this debut was instantly ranked among the all-time Met Gala greats.
In 2024, Doja Cat shifted away from feline motifs, embracing an avant-garde look that played into the night's theme of “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” She arrived wrapped in a white towel—fresh out of the shower and straight onto the red carpet. Her beauty transformation stole the show, incorporating glossy cheeks with chrome mascara tears that artist Pat McGrath called "enchanted tears of joy." Doja Cat’s style blended theatrical elements with high glamour, leaving fans and critics praising her bold originality. See Vogue’s behind-the-scenes coverage for more insights into her beauty routine that evening.
Returning for her third year, Doja Cat delighted audiences at the 2025 Met Gala with a striking Marc Jacobs bodysuit. The look featured strong pinstripes, broad sculptural shoulders, and an ocelot-print velvet bodice. Doja Cat herself remarked, "I really love big cat prints," when discussing her wardrobe choices. Her look was completed with sheer black tights, custom platform boots, vibrant lilac eye makeup, a sharp red lip, and bold gold accessories. This ensemble perfectly embodied the gala’s “Tailored for You” dress code, as noted in PEOPLE's coverage. With each Met appearance, Doja Cat continues to raise the bar for creative red carpet fashion.
Doja Cat’s Met Gala transformations are always a collaborative effort. Over the years, stylists like Brett Alan Nelson and renowned makeup artists such as Pat McGrath have worked closely with her to ensure every detail aligns with her evolving vision. Their shared commitment to creativity explains why each Doja Cat Met Gala moment becomes a viral sensation, as featured in Vogue’s retrospective.
From her playful 2023 Choupette tribute to the structured feline fantasy of 2025, Doja Cat's Met Gala appearances have cemented her as one of the event’s most innovative guests. She isn’t afraid to surprise or challenge fashion norms, and fans eagerly await what she'll do next. For a deeper dive into her standout style, check out PEOPLE’s full breakdown of her 2025 look. Doja Cat Met Gala moments are sure to inspire artists and enthusiasts for years to come.