Cher Returns to Met Gala in Burberry Tribute to Her 1974 Bob Mackie Dress

Key facts

• Cher attended the 2026 Met Gala in a custom Burberry ensemble designed by Daniel Lee.
• The look was inspired by the sheer Bob Mackie dress she wore to the Met Gala in 1974.
• Cher last walked the Met Gala red carpet in 2015; she performed at the 2019 event.
• She first attended the Met Gala in 1975, also in a Bob Mackie creation.
• The 2026 Met Gala exhibition is titled 'Costume Art,' exploring fashion and the human body.
• Cher's stylist Patti Wilson collaborated closely with Burberry on the design.

A Long-Awaited Return to the Met Steps

Cher made a rare appearance at the 2026 Met Gala on Monday night, marking her first time walking the red carpet at the event in over a decade. The legendary singer arrived in a custom Burberry look that paid homage to one of her most famous gowns—the sheer Bob Mackie dress she wore to the Met Gala in 1974. The ensemble, designed by Burberry's Daniel Lee in close collaboration with Cher's longtime stylist Patti Wilson, featured a black silk-tulle twisted dress, a leather corset, and a cropped leather jacket with crystal embellishments. The design deliberately echoed the illusion dress that first cemented Cher's status as a fashion icon at the Met.

A Nod to Bob Mackie and Fashion History

Cher's 1974 Met Gala dress, created by her close friend and frequent collaborator Bob Mackie, was a visionary illusion gown that pushed boundaries. Mackie recalled that Cher was never intimidated by his designs. 'She was just amazing in that department,' he said. Burberry stated that the design team was 'inspired by Cher's iconic style history where she has consciously used clothing and the body as a performance tool.' The reference was especially apt given the 2026 Met Gala exhibition, 'Costume Art,' which explores the intersection of fashion and the human body.

Cher's Met Gala Legacy: From 1975 to 2019

Cher first attended the Met Gala in 1975, wearing a sheer Bob Mackie dress. She returned in 1985, again in a Mackie creation, and made several appearances over the decades. In the modern era of the gala, she has only walked the red carpet once before—in 2015, when she attended 'China: Through the Looking Glass' with Marc Jacobs as her date. In 2019, Cher served as the surprise performer for the 'Camp: Notes on Fashion' themed gala, singing 'Believe' in the Met's Temple of Dendur. While that performance was a highlight, her return to the step and repeat this year was a close second for fans.

Cher on Fashion, Age, and Individuality

Cher has long been a champion of personal style over trends. In a 2017 interview, she said, 'I like what I like and I don't care what the fashion is. You have to wear what's good for your body. It doesn't even make any difference how in-fashion you are if you look like shit.' She also rejected the idea that age should dictate fashion choices. 'I don't believe in that Oh, you get to a certain age and you have to cut your hair and you have to stop doing one thing or another thing. I just think that I'll wear some of the stuff I have as long as I can get into it.'

The Cultural Impact of Cher's Style

Bob Mackie noted that Cher's look in the 1970s transformed American fashion. 'She had the most beautiful figure and skin, and looked different than the average pop star at the time. Most of the girls that were popular were all blonde, and they had beehives and flips, and there was Cher with her long, straight hair. I tell you, within a few months, every young girl in America had long, straight hair with it parted in the middle. The whole world changed.' Cher's return to the Met Gala in a dress that references that era underscores her enduring influence on fashion and pop culture.

What the 2026 Met Gala Means for Cher's Future Appearances

With her 2026 appearance, Cher has now walked the red carpet at the Met Gala only three times in the modern era (2015, 2019 as a performer, and 2026). Her rare appearances make each one a major event. Whether she will attend future galas remains uncertain, but her ability to command attention and reference her own iconic moments ensures her place in Met Gala history. As the night's most anticipated arrival, Cher proved that some legends only grow more powerful with time.

The bottom line

• Cher attended the 2026 Met Gala for the first time in over a decade, wearing a custom Burberry look referencing her 1974 Bob Mackie dress.
• The design was a collaboration between Burberry's Daniel Lee and Cher's stylist Patti Wilson, inspired by Cher's history of using clothing as performance.
• Cher first attended the Met Gala in 1975 and has only walked the red carpet three times in the modern era (2015, 2019 as performer, 2026).
• The 2026 Met Gala exhibition, 'Costume Art,' explores fashion and the human body, aligning with Cher's iconic naked dress aesthetic.
• Cher's 1970s style, including long straight hair, had a transformative impact on American fashion.
• Cher has consistently rejected fashion trends and age-based style restrictions, advocating for wearing what suits one's body.