STYLE

If you're anything like us, you've eagerly been counting down the days 'til the first Monday in May. Last night marked the 2024 Met Gala—and the fits were better than we ever could have dreamed.  

This year's theme, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, reimagines 250 iconic looks from the Met's archive, spanning nearly 300 years of fashion with AI, video and other computer tech.

Attendees sported looks inspired by The Garden of Time (Florals! Vines! Nature!), a short story written by JG Ballard in 1962, in a celebration of ~rebirth~. Every spring, the Met promises a show of elegance and glam, and it's safe to say that this year, the evening def made good on that promise.

Zendaya

@vanityfair

One word: Mother. Zendaya made a major statement during her hosting duties, wearing a custom Maison Margiela ensemble inspired by a 1999 Cristian Dior haute couture gown. Everything from the ornamental fruit to the hummingbird accessory to the dramatic Pat McGrath makeup pulls together in a stunning combo of archival fash and spring beauty.

And if that wasn't enough, she stepped onto the carpet for a second time (!) wearing a stunning black Givenchy gown from the designer's 1996 spring haute couture collection and a matching floral headdress. Yup, Zendaya is officially in bloom. 

Nicki Minaj

@enews

It's giving Effie Trinket (in the best way, ofc). It's giving diva. It's giving The Garden of Time.

Nicki Minaj walked the pastel (notably not red!) carpet in a yellow mini dress by Marni. complete with 3D metal flowers in an assortment of bright spring colors. Accented with her signature bob and ponytail with mini flower clips, this alluring look was a spring awakening that fit the theme to a T.

Gigi Hadid

@cosmopolitan

It's a major yes from us. Gigi Hadid stepped out in a custom Thom Browne white dress embroidered with yellow roses. The extravagant look featured a corset top and detachable skirt that reportedly took 13,500 hours to make—talk about dedication! Each vine and rose was carefully hand embroidered with over two million micro beads. Worth every stitch!

Elle Fanning

@balmain

This year's Met Gala was made for Elle Fanning, aka Sleeping Beauty herself. This custom Balmain featured water birds that were exclusively sculpted for this delicate ice sculpture-like dress. The off-the-shoulder wrap dress was paired with silver sandals and diamond Cartier earrings. Combined with her rosy makeup and transparent glassy gown, she was totally giving modern day ice princess.

Bad Bunny

@vanityfair

Yet another host has made a slay.

Bad Bunny showed off his A+ sense of style in custom Maison Margiela made by John Galliano. The suit-like ensemble includes a fitted corset paired with matching navy pants and a wool jacket with white stitching. His bouquet featured several plants: the flor de maga (Puerto Rico's national flower), flax (the plant Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on), and roses (for love and beauty). The man's entire fit was carefully thought-out to tell a story all on its own. 

Emma Chamberlain

@elleaus

Emma Chamberlain has never had a bad Met Gala look, and this year, she absolutely served.

Emma was one of the first to arrive at the Met wearing a redesigned archival 2003 Jean Paul Gaultier runway look. The dress was crafted around the original brown lace corset, draped with matching lace and transparent fabric to add a voluminous train and intricate lacework sleeves. The entire fit resembles prickly thorn bushes and bare vines seen in the forests from Sleeping Beauty.

Alia Bhatt

@vogueindia

Alia Bhatt, a Bollywood actress, went back to her roots for inspiration for her look to this year's gala. She wore a traditional pale blue Indian saree by Sabyasachi, embroidered with a pink and white rose pattern and silver fringe beading. Her matching earrings and tikka made for absolutely adorb accessories. The outfit was inspired by natural beauty and the timelessness of Indian artisanship seen through the intricate stitching and embellishments. 

Lana Del Rey

@enews

Alexa, play "Young and Beautiful".

Lana Del Rey is nothing short of stunning as she embodies the vibes of a mystical forest fairy. In an ensemble drawn from Alexander McQueen's 2006 fall collection The Widows of Culloden, the singer wore custom Alexander McQueen in an architectural design, featuring 3D branches, a large rose entwined ring, wooden antlers and sheer beige netting. Mother Nature would be proud!

Karlie Kloss

@entertainmenttonight

Karlie Kloss was looking camp right in the eye this year (sorry, someone had to say it) wearing a Swarovski pink bejeweled floral gown. Crystal flowers wrapped around her bodice and curled around her neck in the perfect embodiment of blooming flowers. She appeared on the carpet alongside Imaan Hammam, Anok Yai and Giovanna Engelbert. Their ensemble was inspired by a literal take on The Garden of Time, each representing flowers, water, the sun and nature respectively. 

Tyla

@balmain

Tyla took the theme and Ran. With. It. 

In a literal take on The Garden of Time, Tyla made her Met Gala debut dressed as the actual sands of time. The design was crafted from sand and micro crystals sculpted into a body hugging silhouette and slight train. She added the perfect finishing touch with an hourglass-shaped Balmain clutch.

Follow us on IG @girlslifemag to recap more iconic Met Gala moments!

Slider image: @vogueindia
Top image: @hichasestokes

by Megha Gupta, Fran Au and Alex Marek | 5/7/2024