Youth Incorporated Magazine

The Met Gala 2024 swept everyone up in a rushing portal of florals. The annual ball was held on 6th May 2024 and the theme was ‘Garden of Time’ birthing some of the most iconic fashion moments in history. 

What is the Met Gala?

The Met Gala is an annual charity ball held on the first Monday of May every year that debuts the yearly costume exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum Of Arts in Manhattan. The event is attended by some of the biggest celebrities all over the world. A theme is set every year according to which the guests attending the event must choose their attire. The biggest celebrities turn up at the event in some of the most daring, breathtaking looks. Some of the biggest fashion designers partake in making these celebrities look majestic along with sticking to the theme. It is the most exclusive fashion event of the year that creates a global phenomenon. 

History of the Met Gala

The gala is a fundraising ball that initially started in 1948 as a way to inaugurate the Costume Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum Of Arts. The Gala was just a dinner which was attended by the high-class society of New York. In 1972, when Diana Vreeland took up the post of consultant to the costume exhibit, it was then the annual charity event transitioned from a dinner to the highly anticipated social event of the year. The Gala soon was attended by actors, rock stars and other celebrities along with the city’s elite. It has evolved to be one of the most glamorous events of the year.

What were some of the most iconic looks from the Met Gala 2024?

The theme “Garden of Time” was inspired by the novel written by J.G Ballard in 1962 that portrays human evolution through time. The theme was in conjunction with the costume exhibit’s theme “ Sleeping beauties: Reawakening fashion” which displays clothing so fragile that it can never be worn again taking its attendees through a journey of time and evolution. The celebrities attending the event did not fail to take their audience on a journey with their beautiful gowns and suits. One common pattern which was seen in all of them was florals (groundbreaking, right?). Let’s take at some of the interpretations these celebrities took. 

The South Asians really outdid themselves this year and Alia Bhatt was first on the list. Wearing a Sabyasachi saree with a 23-foot train designed by 163 men consisting of beautiful floral patterns, beading and exquisite embroidery, Alia Bhatt walked down the stairs of the Met making everyone’s heads turn. The timelessness of the garment along with the accuracy of the theme, she managed to capture the hearts of everyone worldwide.

Zendaya, the “Challengers” actress embraced the dark angel look while wearing two of John Galliano’s designs. One was inspired by Dior 1999 which consisted of a stunning blue and green gown adorned by fruits and flowers along with a fascinator. The second look of the evening consisted of a black gown designed by John Galliano, a 1996 Givenchy piece which included a laced-up corset and a headpiece adorned by flowers. The uniqueness of her outfit made it one to remember. 

Entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mona Patel made her debut in the grandest way possible. This entire look was curated by Law Roach, the co-host of 2024’s Met Gala. The gown was an Iris Van Herpen couture envisioned by the artist itself. The gown consisted of a train representing flower petals.  Along with the stunning gold accents and the beautiful lace details, her arms were adorned with kinetic flower petals which were moving in slow motion that overall made this one of the best outfits of the evening.

If anyone got the theme spot on, it was Elle Fanning. Grossly underappreciated, the actress dressed in a crystal balmain gown making her look like “time flowers” as described in the novel “The Garden of Time”. The sculpted dress made it look like it was made of glass and was quite brilliant. Being so closely affiliated with the theme of Sleeping Beauty when having played Aurora, Elle Fanning got every detail right.

In an original Alexander McQueen, Lana Del Ray wore a statement dress with branches crawling all over it, with a headpiece that was part of Alexander Mcqueen’s 2006 collection and a tulle veil to top it off. When it comes to standing out, Lana Del Ray always comes through with her gothic romantic look. Needless to say, she truly pulled it off.

With many more celebrities killing it on the steps of the Met Gala 2024, it’s safe to say that you can always expect the fundraiser to set the bar high for any fashion event for the rest of the year. With the distinctiveness of each outfit, each outfit truly has a story behind it.