With the theme, ‘Garden of Time’, being deemed too safe because of the floral brief or quite high brow because of the reference material, it seems fashion stylists got lost in translation when putting the looks together. Based on a short story by J.G. Ballard, the brief was simple – show love and loss while clad in distressing florals that represent both life and death in one breath. And how many attendees were able to present their interpretations of the same? Let’s take a look at our top hits and misses from the big night.
Best Looks From The Met Gala 2024
Cardi B
This billowing Windowsen gown is giving opulence, but with something rotten hidden underneath, metaphorically of course. Inspired by a black rose, Cardi’s arrival at the gala was late but very welcome in a sea of underwhelming looks.
Zendaya
Met Gala 2024 co-chair Zendaya was always going to slay and in this Maison Margiela Artisanal by John Galliano, she indeed did. Aptly named ‘siren dress’, the electric blue organza dress literally looks like a flower that’s withered on the vine; we love to see it!
Tyla
The South African singer did pretty damn well for her first Met Gala appearance. Building on the concept of ‘Time’ in the theme, her custom Balmain featured a sandy texture, turning her into a sculpture; much in line with the concept of the sands of time.
Donatella Versace
One of the few fashion designers who walked the carpet last night, Donatella smoked seasoned Met attendees in her archival Versace. The colour, construction and styling is impeccable!
Emma Chamberlain
Continuing her stint of on-carpet interview gig at the Met Gala, Emma did so in Jean Paul Gaultier lace number that was a genius vision realised. From the vines on her arms to the mini train that looks like a network of roots, the media personality looks stunning.
Alia Bhatt
The only saree in attendance, Alia’s absolutely fairy-core Sabyasachi drape featured a never-ending train laced with silk floss, beading and sequins. With the fringe, the opulent jewels and the big bow at the back, Alia embodies the garden fairy aesthetic and we love everything about it.
Lana Del Rey
A thespian, Lana Del Rey’s Met Gala ensembles have all been an absolute hit with the theme. This year, she donned a custom Alexander McQueen with real hawthorn branches on her body and as a headpiece, with a lonesome rose accessorising her look. Only Lana can make beige this exciting!
Greta Lee
Greta has been experimental fashion’s favourite for the past year and her gala look is no different. The bespoke Loewe gown featured an unusual structure, a masterclass in how to take a theme at hand and twist it to make it completely your own.
Wisdom Kayne
The multi-hyphenate artist is proof that men don’t have to turn up in a series of black tuxedos at the Met Gala. After an extremely buzzworthy fashion week stint, Robert Wun turned Wisdom into a withering rose, complete with burnt patch details and hand painted outlining to showcase the passage of time.
Usher
Daddy’s home! Speaking of black tuxedos, as long as you throw on a moody, beautiful cape on top and turn up with a crimson rose, you’re gonna make good on the theme. Like Usher did in his custom Alexander McQueen.
Ben Simmons
Lewis Hamilton from F1 and Ben Simmons of the NBA, athletes really did the Met Gala justice this year. However, it is Ben’s custom Thom Browne that we chose to place on this list. Why? One word – Gingham!
The Looks That Were A Miss At The Met Gala 2024
Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner’s social media stardom is undeniable, but her Met Gala appearances have been largely a miss. This year, her Oscar de la Renta gown was an absolute outlier, and not in a good way. A plain, silk gown for a theme that demands you go mad with prints and pomp? Pass.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat’s recent looks have been called maximalist, eccentric and bordering on absurdity. So when the Met Gala rolled around, you’d think she’d be the most impressive right? Her Vetements ensemble says otherwise. The eccentricity was seen everywhere you looked, but the theme was nowhere to be found.
Dua Lipa
How can Marc Jacobs collaborating with Dua Lipa, music’s IT fashion girl, go so wrong? The feather boa, the lace detailing, and waist bling – everything just feels very busy. And the boudoir aesthetic is hot, but does not convey garden, time, or archival.
Kim Kardashian
John Galliano for Maison Margiela was a hit at this year’s Met Gala, except for Kim’s cashmere wrap! Sure she’s got the floral motifs down, but relying on the body-ody-ody seems to have taken precedence over storytelling, which is the essence of The Costume Institute’s annual gala.
Chris Hemsworth
If it wasn’t already announced that Chris Hemsworth was a co-chair at the Met Gala, we wouldn’t have believed that he was there for fashion’s biggest night of the year. It’s a Tom Ford suit, sure, but what’s the story? Where’s the nuance? Where’s the presence? We love Chris but this one is a pass
Anna Wintour
Leaving the most controversial pick towards the end of the list, the host stepped on the carpet in bespoke Loewe. The handcrafted details on the cape are innovative but as compared to the rest of attendees, the ensemble was less than inspiring.
Rita Ora
Rita Ora is a seasoned Met Gala attendee, it’s her 10th time on the carpet. But the Marni set placed over nude-illusion inner wear just doesn’t belong on the carpet of this calibre. Rita’s styling for the event was a miss not because of the ensemble though, anywhere else this fit would have slapped!
Featured image – ©instagram/metgalaofficial_
