The Met Gala, themed "The Age of Napoleon: Costume from Revolution to Empire, 1789–1815," was featured in 1989. The fashion of this period, spanning the late 18th to the early 19th century, was influenced by the dramatic political and social shifts brought about by the French Revolution and the subsequent rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Clothing styles shifted from the extravagant and ornate styles of the pre-revolutionary period to simpler, more functional designs. The theme captured this historical and cultural significance by showcasing costumes and fashion pieces from this transformative era. The exhibition included a range of garments, from military uniforms, which played a significant role in Napoleonic fashion, to more straightforward, practical clothing that became popular during the revolutionary period.