Last night was the first Monday in May, which only means one thing: The time has come to gush and gawk at what this year’s most stylish celebrities and socialites have chosen to wear at fashion’s biggest red-carpet annual event: The Met Gala.
As always, the extravaganza was hosted in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the theme this year was a “Garden of Time” – inspired by the J.G. Ballard short story. This body of work, rich with symbolism, explores the evolution of human history through a lens of creation and destruction, also mirrors the ideas explored in The Met’s “Sleeping Beauties” exhibition.
With this theme guiding the stars, we saw obvious references to the natural world, think lots of flora and fauna, odes to the characters (from the Garden of Time book), and all the in-betweens. There was the good, the puzzling, and as always, the very questionable ones.
Scroll through our round-up of all the best-dressed celebrities at the 2024 Met Gala.
You know how Cinderella went to the ball and stole the show? Well that’s exactly what Mona Patel did. The Indian ,US based entrepreneur got everyone asking “who is she?” in her custom Iris Van Herpen gown. The floor-grazing dress features an intricate butterfly-shaped corset and a scalloped train adorned with kinetic butterflies that fluttered with her every move.
Forget floral prints! Tyla served hourglass realness at her Met Gala debut with a BALMAIN sand gown that embodied the ‘Garden of Time’ theme. Her sandy makeup and hourglass clutch captured the essence of time slipping through our fingers, a truly inspired take on the theme
Benito who happens to co-chair this year’s MET channeled Count Axel (the main character in the Garden of Time book) with his bespoke Maison Margiela Artisanal look by John Galliano.
Zendaya walked the red carpet twice and both times it was a serve! If Bad Bunny was Count Alex, for sure Zendaya was the COUNTESS!
Another best dressed guy on the red carpet, dressed in a head-to-to red Robert Wu piece staying true to his style.
The online star made a striking statement at the 2024 Met Gala dressed in a custom Jean Paul Gaultier look that she describes as decaying.
What’s a celebration of a garden without the Gardener himself? Lewis Hamilton’s look paid homage to John Ystumllyn, the first Black gardener in Wales with a custom, all-black ensemble by Burberry. Hamilton wore a tailored black coat with floral bullion embellishments and an Alex Wharton poem titled “The Gardener” embroidered on the inside.
The American actress and film producer wore an outspread black dress (made of archival wallpaer) featuring large pink-and-white flower imagery and black arrow-like spikes made by designer, Harris Reed.
HARRIS REED
The Bristish designer channeled the mythical in a blue and gold jumpsuit that easily passes for a renaissance art work.
The American singer went for a very ethereal and dark-but-romantic look designed by Alexander McQueen’s Seán McGirr.
Wearing custom LOWEVE, Russel was a walking sculpture in her wood-painted bodice cast and an ivory skirt swinging low on her hips. A nod to the theme, she played with branches brushed along her neckline and waist.
While Tyla went for sand, Anok Yai channeled the garden’s waters with her ombre, blue Swarovski jumpsuit and glittering eye makeup.
A mint-green sari with a 23-foot-long train? Paying homage to Indian heritage and craftsmanship while still being on theme? ALIA BHATT did that.
Written by Eyram Rafael
