As the first Monday of May dawns, I find myself patiently waiting all night for the high fashion feast I’m about to witness. Tonight’s MET Gala, titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” holds a special allure with its theme, “Garden of Time.” The air is thick with excitement as I anticipate a showcase of archival pieces and nods to the wonders of nature.
Amidst the frenzy, my focus sharpens on the red carpet (or green carpet this time?), eager to witness who will embody the essence of the theme most authentically. So, here’s a round-up of our favourite style icons who gracefully smashed the theme and how they did it.
Zendaya
The co-chair of this year’s MET served us not one but two on-theme looks. She served, ate and left no crumbs.
An all black Givenchy by John Galliano 1996 look from his debut collection with a floral headpiece made by Philip Tracy
A Maison Margiela mermaid-cut gown adorned with intricate hummingbird details, exuding an aura reminiscent of enchanting poison ivy vibes.
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton, no stranger to the limelight, made a striking entrance at the MET Gala, seamlessly embodying the theme “The Garden of Time.” His custom Burberry ensemble, meticulously crafted for the occasion, spoke volumes about his dedication to the theme. Inspired by an 18th-century gardener, John Ystumllyn, Hamilton’s outfit not only honored the past but also celebrated resilience and triumph over adversity.
A special touch inside his jacket revealed a poem by Alex Wharton, a black poet from England, adding layers of depth to his ensemble.
Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny showed up in a bespoke creation from the Maison Margiela Artisanal Collection, designed by John Galliano. His attire comprising a black satin corset and a navy barathea wool smoking jacket accentuated with black grosgrain lapels. What set his ensemble apart was the strikingly unconventional stitching, lending the jacket an inside-out aesthetic that injected a bold avant-garde essence into his look. He also carried a black Flor de Maga, the national flower of Puerto Rico.
Isha Ambani
Isha Ambani, no stranger to the MET, graced the event in a custom bespoke creation by Rahul Mishra, featuring a long trail adorned with delicate flowers, lending an ethereal charm to her ensemble. Notably, the intricate craftsmanship of her attire demanded an astounding 10,000 hours to bring to life, showcasing the dedication and artistry behind every detail.
Sydney Sweeney
In her third MET Gala appearance, Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney unveiled a striking transformation, rendering herself almost unrecognisable. Stepping away from her usual blonde locks, she debuted a chic shaggy black bob adorned with full bangs. She wore a mesmerising tulle gown by Miu Miu, adorned with intricate floral embellishments in a captivating shade of blue. Adding an edgy twist, she accessorised with sleek black opera-length gloves and a sparkling diamond necklace.
Alia Bhatt
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Alia Bhatt stunned at the MET Gala in a breathtaking hand-embroidered Sabyasachi floral green saree, a masterpiece that required a staggering 1905 man hours to create. Paired with exquisite jewellery, her ensemble was the picture of timeless elegance and celebrated the rich craftsmanship of Indian couture.
Gigi Hadid
This year, Gigi Hadid teams up with Thom Browne to interpret the theme “The Garden of Time” for the Met Gala’s “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” Her outfit, a signature Browne creation, comprises a white off-the-shoulder corset dress with exaggerated hips, layered beneath a white silk moiré coat featuring black duchesse satin tipping and adorned with 3D yellow roses. Every intricate detail of the ensemble, meticulously crafted by hand, required the expertise of over 70 individuals and a total of more than 13,500 hours. Following its MET Gala debut, this exceptional piece will become a permanent addition to Browne’s archive.
Lana Del Rey
Del Rey’s eye-catching ensemble paid homage to a past Alexander McQueen design from the fall 2006 collection, reimagined in a modern context by McGirr. The dress, constructed from silk, double georgette, and tulle, featured intricate hand-embroidered motifs of hammered bronze-bullion hawthorn branches, inspired by the sculptures of Alberto Giacometti.
To heighten the theatrical effect, Del Rey donned a unique headpiece crafted by McGirr, using natural hawthorn branches adorned with a sheer tulle veil. Completing her look was a bronze metal Drop bag embellished with a clock detail, showcasing Del Rey’s meticulous attention to every aspect of her ensemble.
Harris Reed
The designer and creative director of Nina Ricci has left my mouth wide open. I simply have no words for this look. This is what high fashion is about – the structure, the beautiful colours and the poise. They not only ate up the theme but also designed Demi Moore’s look (productivity, am I right?).
Lil Nas X
For the 2024 MET Gala, Lil Nas X opted for a subtler yet equally striking ensemble crafted by Raul Lopez of Luar. The garment is adorned with 50,000 Swarovski crystals, creating a tactile connection to the past. The crystal-studded tank top, the flowing petal-like sash, and the meticulously pieced-together panels form a cohesive narrative, each element representing fragments of a larger story seamlessly intertwined.
The Special Mentions
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner turned heads at the MET Gala in a sleek black dress inspired by Alexander McQueen’s Givenchy 1999 couture collection. Crafted from a glittery, semi-sheer fabric, the dress boasted V-shaped mesh panels accentuating the hips, center, and back. A striking gold spiked collar adorned the plunging neckline, while waist-length gold fringe embellished each shoulder, swaying gracefully with Jenner’s movements.
Wisdom Kaye
In a stunning debut, the model wore this fiery all-red trench coat with burnt accents created by Robert Wun.
