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The Met Gala 2024 - Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion

  • Kristie O'Connor
  • May 7, 2024
  • 6 min read

And just like that, the first Monday in May has drawn to a close.


The Met Gala is one of fashion's most anticipated nights of the year. Since its start in 1948, it has produced some of the most boundary-pushing, unforgettable fashion moments, with celebrities like Rihanna and Blake Lively often crowned 'Queen of the Met'. This year's event in New York City, themed "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion", with a dress code to follow ("The Garden of Time"), was no different. A-list celebrities and designers had their moment to showcase their take on the theme through thoughtful creations posed on the Met steps.


Matching the title of the 1962 JG Ballard short story, "The Garden of Time", the dress code has multiple interpretations. Visions may immediately lead to anything found in a garden; in this case, florals (groundbreaking). However, the short story is actually about the inability of money and beauty to prevent death (Daric Cottingham, 2024). Following a Count and his wife who live in grandeur, surrounded by gardens filled with "time flowers", described as "translucent growths with crystals", that dissolve when plucked, emitting the light trapped within (Jana, 2024). With an approaching "mob" of the working-class getting closer to them, the Count attempts to turn back time by plucking the flowers until they are all gone and no time is left. The meaning behind this within the story is that the flowers can slow the clock but cannot stop it. They are impermanent. The same can be said within fashion; attempts can be made to preserve it, but there are elements out of our control.


Side note: something I found interesting when researching this year's theme, is the irony that comes with it. "The Garden of Time" is ultimately about the demise of the Count and his wife, the demise of the wealthy. It's also about how death is inevitable and how you cannot stop time. The event of the Met Gala is the literal gathering of exclusivity and grandeur - I'm sure that's not the link that was intended when the theme was introduced. It's probably about museums bringing preservation, or something.


That being said, after researching the theme, I had high hopes and expectations. My favourite fashion from The Met Gala 2024, in no particular order:



Zendaya


Cred: Getty Images




Co-chair of this year's event, Zendaya graced the Met steps in not one, but two incredible gowns. Styled by Law Roach, her first look (left) was Maison Margiela by John Galliano based on 90s Dior.


It's dark, dystopian, and moody which beautifully fits the theme. You should know by now, anything with tulle is accepted gracefully by me. The addition of the fruit embellishments and the feather fascinator is a tasteful nod to nature and the Garden of it all.





Cred: Getty Image







Towards the end of the carpet, Zendaya surprised everyone by making a second appearance, wearing a 1996 John Galliano piece from Givenchy.


The black gown, an archival piece, nods to the preservation theory of the theme. With a laced corset and a train that took up the majority of the Met steps, this look is magnificent. To top it off, Zendaya wears a bouquet-themed fascinator wrapped in black tulle, as designed by Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen back in 2006.


For her first return to the Met after five years, this run was stellar. Best Dressed Award!







Tyla


Cred: Getty Images



Tyla's Met debut did not disappoint.


Created by Olivier Rousteing, creative director of Balmain, this look latches onto the time aspect of "The Gardens of Time".


Referencing the sands of time, Tyla is transformed into a sand sculpture in this mesmerising strapless gown.


A further nod, and one of my favourite accessories of the night, Tyla carries an hourglass clutch filled with sand, also designed by Balmain.







Teyana Taylor


Cred: Getty Images



One of my favourites from the night, Taylor set the Met steps ablaze with this intricate crimson gown. The gown, a corset bodice with a flowing train, features shades of burnt red and is dripping in flowers and petals.


An ode to "The Garden of Time" short story, I really hope the flowers are symbolic of the 'time flowers', with the petals falling down the gown to reference the Count plucking them apart. If so, that would be the theatrics I hope to see from Met fashion.


Taylor is wearing The Blonds.







Elle Fanning


Cred: Getty Images




For someone who once played Sleeping Beauty, there's a high expectation.


Wearing Balmain, Fanning stuns in this translucent gown. Almost resembling a water or ice sculpture, it links back to the "Garden of Time" theme of impermanence. It's a beauty that cannot last.


The details of the birds on Fanning's shoulder is none other than a nod to the fairytale that surrounds the theme of the event.











Lana Del Rey


Cred: Getty Images



Wearing a veiled, cream Alexander McQueen sheath gown by Sean McGirr, Del Rey is ethereal.


The silk and tulle corseted dress had hand-embroidered vines resembling tree roots climbing up the gown into Del Rey's headpiece. To finish the look, Del Rey had a crystal-embellished red rose corsage, potentially linking to "The Garden of Time" crystal 'time flowers'.


This look was a nod to Alexander McQueen's 'crown and thorn' headpiece from the F/W 1996 collection.








Emma Chamberlain



Cred: Getty Images



This list isn't ordered in favourites, but if I had to have a top three, this would make it.


Chamberlain wears Jean Paul Gaultier, describing the look as a dark, enchanted fantasy. Looking to capture "The Garden of Time" inexplicably, Gaultier's team intended for the gown to resemble 'fragility' and 'decomposition'.


The beautiful mocha coloured laced corset pulls from JPG's spring 2003 couture show.











Kendall Jenner


Cred: Getty Images



Potentially her most impressive fashion moment yet, Jenner is the first person ever to wear one of Alexander McQueen's A/W 1999 looks for Givenchy.


Labelled a 'Sleeping Beauty' itself, the ensemble has been preserved in the archives for the last 25 years. Constructed of nude and black tulle, the dress is covered in 100,000 sequins.


Known to have an impressive vintage collection, Jenner's choice comes as no surprise and links to the Gala's theme of preservation.









Taylor Russell





Another Met debut!


Gracing the steps in Loewe by Jonathan Anderson, Russell's look consists of a high neck corset resembling a wood pattern with a circle skirt made of silk.


Russell’s corset was 3D moulded to fit her body perfectly, and then printed with the wood pattern using a technique called hydro sublimation. Anderson said, “Playing with the senses is central to the experience of the exhibition... blurring the line between what’s real or surreal, what’s natural or unnatural.”


Which is exactly what they've done with this look. An unforgettable debut!







Phoebe Dynevor




Wearing custom Victoria Beckham, Dynevor is the first celebrity to wear VB to the Met Gala.


In a nod to Sleeping Beauties, the "faded rose" silhouette was hand-crafted from archival lace, embellished with 300 lace appliqué flowers, hand-cut and hand-sewn onto a tulle base.


The gown's train, slightly distressed, nods to the darkness of "The Garden of Time" theme.


An enchanting gown, I believe this to be a thoughtful and ethereal beginning to Victoria Beckham's place as designer on the Met steps.











Anok Yai





Always dazzling on the Met steps, Yai literally shines in this crystal jumpsuit designed by Swarovski.


The look, made from an incredible 98,000 Swarovski crystals, has an ombre effect with three shades of blue. Intended to be one fourth of the elements of nature, in this case water intended to nurture gardens.


For Swarovski's debut at the Met Gala, this creation was a beautiful beginning.










Until next year, Met Gala!




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