You might not know its origins. But you’ve heard of the Met Gala.
The “Oscars of Fashion” annually provide us with ground-breaking displays of craftsmanship. The event is known for its prestige, star-studded list, and cultural cachet. Some of the most memorable moments to date have seeped into the fabric of our society: Lady Gaga’s 16-minute entrance, Rihanna’s 2015 Guo Pei dress, and Jared Leto’s uncanny replica of his own head.
The Met Gala 2024 was no different.
Everything You Need to Know About Fashion’s Biggest Night of the Year
Every first Monday of May, a select assemblage of the world’s biggest stars ascend the steps of the Metropolitan Museum. Stars vie for the opportunity to showcase the industry’s most incredible (or incredibly…bizarre) couture. We’ve seen it all: Kim Kardashian’s 2021 Balenciaga bodysuit, Cardi B’s elaborately rouge Moschino moment in 2019, and Katy Perry’s 2019 costume that earned fast food a place on the red carpet.
What is the Met Gala?
Now known as the Met Gala, it had its humble beginnings as a fundraiser. Launched in 1948 by Elanor Lambert, it aimed to encourage donations to the Costume Institute, which has been at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City since its inception. The event has since evolved from benefit to the biggest night on the fashion calendar.
Today, the Met Gala is the world’s most prestigious fashion event. It has also joined the ranks of one of the biggest fundraising events in New York City. Each year, the benefit pulls in a wealth of funds to raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Costume Institute.
But the million-dollar question is: What exactly happens at the Met Gala? The answer: no one knows. The reception details are heavily guarded, and photography inside the building is banned. (Unless you’re Kylie Jenner in 2017 and you sneak a bathroom selfie.) The juxtaposing irony of an event that is so immensely public yet deeply secretive is not lost on us.
When did the Met Gala take place in 2024?
The anticipated event took place on Monday, May 6, at 2:00 a.m. GST, corresponding to the previous day in New York, on Sunday, May 5, 6:00 p.m. EST. It followed the pattern of other years and fell on the first Monday of May (not counting 2021, which was held in December because of the pandemic). In theory, each guest was allotted a slot, and the attendees filtered in for photo-ops until 5:30 a.m. GST, though some attendees are notoriously late
Where was the Met Gala 2024 held?
Dubbed “Fashions Biggest Event” every year, it is held on the noble steps of New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
What was the Met Gala 2024 theme?
After the 2024 edition of the annual benefit, the Costume Institute's new exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” was unveiled. The exhibit features over 250 archival and, therefore, frail pieces that span over 400 years of fashion history. Technology is integrated into this exhibit to display how these fragile garments once appeared and moved.
Given their now delicate condition, this year is a celebration of literal “sleeping beauties,” AKA clothes so feeble they can never be worn again. The display will incorporate CGI, AI and digital animation to restore the garments to their former glory and “reawaken” them.
The exhibit is divided into three sections: Land, Sea and Sky. The theme pays homage to the intrinsic beauty of nature that has long-inspired fashion.
What was the Met Gala 2024 dress code?
The red carpet theme of the Met Gala 2024 was “The Garden of Time.” This dress code is a nod to the undeniable passage of time and the tragically ephemeral beauty of fashion. It was inspired by J.G. Ballard’s (1962) poignant work of fiction. The story weaves a tale of the pursuit of opulence, the inevitable decay of beauty, and embracing the impermanence of it all.
The narrative explores Count Axel and his wife, who live lavishly and blissfully unaware in their desert utopian villa. Their villa overlooks a pristine garden dotted with crystalline, time-reversing flowers. But an angry mob descends, threatening to encroach on their ornate haven. The Count furiously begins to pick the time-reversing flowers in a vain attempt to save him and the Countess until the garden becomes desolate.
Understanding the lore behind the dress code is equally important. Combined with the Land, Sea, and Sky aspects, the options for interpretations, both fantastic and literal, are boundless.
The Fashion Designers at the Met Gala 2024
Designers and brands scrupulously select their gala guests. They work with them weeks and sometimes months in advance to create the perfect pairing. Exquisite pieces, both bespoke and retrieved from the archives, were displayed by sartorial sensations such as Carolina Herrera, Elsa Schiaparelli, Alexander McQueen, and Thom Browne, to name a few.
Who attended the Met Gala 2024?
The Met Gala guest is typically shrouded in secrecy and fiercely selective. While some Gala regulars hint at their attendance, the list is not revealed until the evening before.
The red carpet welcomed a star-studded swarm, including Kylie Jenner, Dua Lipa, Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, and Shakira. Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, and Chris Hemsworth were the Met Gala co-chairs.
A few crowd favourites were absent this year: Blake Lively, Anne Hathaway, Gigi Hadid, Billie Eilish, Jared Leto, and Priyanka Chopra. Pop icons Beyoncé and Taylor Swift were also absent. Despite not strutting up the Met's steps since 2016, fans were waiting with bated breath to see if 2024 would mark their return.
The Best-Dressed Celebrities of the Met Gala 2024
“The Garden of Time” dress code saw many literal interpretations and floral motifs, or more unconventional floral interpretations, such as Doja Cat, who chose the most commonly worn flower: cotton, and wore a long, soaked, white t-shirt.
Other celebrities seized this opportunity to depict the ethereal essence of the theme and code differently. From personifying some of nature’s most awe-inspiring species to wholly embodying J.G.’s piece, here are some of our favourite Met Gala looks from this year’s fundraiser.
Rauw Alejandro
Rauw Alejandro was wonderfully on theme as he donned a custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin suit. His illuminating look comprised a silver mesh metal top reminiscent of chain mail. He sported a Swarovski-encrusted Flor de Maga, paying homage to the theme and his homeland, Puerto Rico.
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner was resplendent in a pristine Alexander McQueen design. This 1999 piece was extracted from his privately protected archives. Although crafted 25 years ago for Givenchy Haute Couture, Kendall Jenner had the honour of debuting it.
Zendaya
One of this year’s co-chairs spoiled spectators as she pulled two striking John Galliano looks out of the bag. The first regal look was a complementary palette of royal blue and emerald green, subtly evoking the natural element. She closed the carpet with another magnificent black John Galliano gown that was billowing and form-fitting at once.
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande was simply incandescent in Loewe Jonathan Anderson’s mother-of-pearl masterpiece. The iridescent bustier dress reflected the beauty of nature, while the multi-layered chiffon skirt added an ethereal layer.
Penélope Cruz
A fourth-time attendee, Penélope Cruz graced the carpet with elegance and glamour in a unique Chanel Haute Couture bustier bodice evening gown. Emblazoned with eight different types of black and silver French floral lace, it displayed timeless and almost nocturnal beauty.
Gigi Hadid
While this Thom Browne piece may at first appear too on the nose for the theme, this ancient Italian garden-inspired gown quickly became a crowd favourite. It was adorned with 3D yellow roses and embroidered with over 2.8 million beads.
Emily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski left spectators stunned with another archive pull. The one-of-a-kind 2021 Versace gown was quite literally sheer perfection. Form-fitting, crystalline, and semi-transparent, it certainly captured the essence of beauty.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez looked effortless in Schiaparelli’s delicate gown. The sheath dress adopted an angelic hue thanks to the silver pearls and rhinestones. According to Jennifer Lopez, the dress was made to replicate a butterfly.
Irina Shayk
Irina Shayk was radiant in her full-length, corseted Swarovski gown, which was hand-embellished with 84,000 crystals. Six artisans worked for 200 hours to achieve this breathtaking design, which required meticulous and precise placement.
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton’s sleek outfit reflects the juxtaposing nature behind J.G.’s story. His elegant, floral embellished suit paid tribute to John Ystumllyn, the UK’s first black gardener. Each element was symbolic. A necklace of silver thorns was wrapped around his neck to finish the look. Alex Wharton’s poem “The Gardener” was also sewn into the fabric of his suit lining.
Where To Watch The Met Gala 2024 replay in the UAE?
If you missed this year's must-see event, do not worry. You can always catch the live stream replay on Vogue and E!’s websites and YouTube channels.
Notable Design Highlights from the Past Six Years
A lavish marriage of fashion and art, it provokes analysis, punctuates cultural shifts, and ushers bespoke or never-seen-before pieces to the fore. Take a look at design highlights from 2017 - 2024...
How was the Met Gala theme chosen each year?
Andrew Bolton, the chief curator of the Costume Institute, has imagined and realised the best themes of the Met Gala. The team begins planning a year in advance, if not earlier. According to Bolton, the chosen topic will reflect a cultural shift and oscillate between past and present.
Met Gala 2023 – Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty
The Met Gala 2023 celebrated the life and work of the bold fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. “A Line of Beauty” was a tribute to his transformational and enduring impact on the fashion industry. The theme encouraged attendees and designers to apply the same passion and creativity as he once did when crafting their looks. Tributes to his eponymous line were expressed in various iterations of black, white, and leather.
Met Gala 2022 – In America: An Anthology of Fashion
The Met Gala 2022 explored and dissected the evolution of American Fashion. The dress code “Gilded Glamour” saw historical and modern interpretations, recalling the opulence of the early 19th and 20th century style. America’s enigmatic identity was captured through the lens of fashion this year. Blake Lively was the epitome of American fashion, as her iconic dress was inspired by the Statue of Liberty.
Met Gala 2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion
The first part of the “In America” duology, the Met Gala 2021 theme, highlighted the diverse facets of American culture and emphasised the nation's ever-evolving culture and landscape.
Met Gala 2019 – Camp: Notes on Fashion
Could 2019 be one of the most memorable Met Gala themes to date? Extravagant, exaggerated, and avant-garde are just some words to describe the theme. Inspired by Susan Sontag’s 1964 “Notes on Camp,” it celebrated calculated excess and theatricality in fashion. Some of the most whimsical and flamboyant outfits include Jared Leto, Zendaya, and Lady Gaga.
Met Gala 2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
The Met Gala 2018 theme was controversial and celestial. The event pushed the envelope by referencing the relationship between fashion and religion. Attendees interpreted the theme's opulence and divinity with spiritual and biblical motifs.
Met Gala 2017 – Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
The Met Gala 2017 honored Rei Kawakubo and her revolutionary designs and label Comme des Garçons. The stars’ outfits were imbued with duality, abstractism, and the unconventional, just like Kawakubo’s work.
