It was my obsession with the original Gossip Girl Blake Lively that channelled into my real obsession with Met Gala. Her many ventures into always successfully meeting the themes of the Gala had me proudly fangirling- Mother was at it again, was being showered with accolades, again, and with constantly following her, I became an avid Met Gala reviewer, with the many looks of Goddess Riri, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Niki Minaj constantly wowing me with their over to top, larger than life ensembles created by some of the most prolific designers and brands across the world. The event is back again with Met Gala 2024 and is ready to serve some of the most memorable looks in fashion that you will never forget.
We will explore everything that you need to know and that has been revealed- the dates, venue, guest list, themes, and more so you stay updated on what your favourite stars are going to be up to this Met Gala 2024 fashion season.
What is The Met Gala?
The Met Gala is an annual fundraising gala coordinated by the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is a major fundraiser that goes toward supporting the various events and exhibitions that the organisation hosts. The event customarily occurs on the first Monday in May and signifies the grand inauguration of the Institute’s yearly fashion exhibit. Illustrious figures from the realms of fashion, film, music, and art convene, making it a highly awaited gathering that establishes trends and captivates international interest.
The nonpareil repute of the Met Gala owes a great deal to Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue. Famed for her exquisite taste, she selects the event’s guest list and will continue this tradition for the Met Gala 2024, ensuring a gleaming assembly that brings your favourite celebrities in haute couture. Wintour’s dedication to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute is manifest in her commitment to raising the Gala into a globally recognised cultural phenomenon. Under her guidance, the Met Gala 2024 persists in sculpting the fashion landscape, securing its place as a significant event on the social calendar.
Revisiting Best Met Looks of All Times Before Met Gala 2024
Rihanna at 2015 China: Through the Looking Glass-
Rihanna at 2015 China
Rihanna looked absolutely stunning in a yellow gigantic Guo Pei gown- an absolute majestic masterpiece with an extravagant train that had every eye on her, successfully embodying the event’s theme. The ornate, imperial-inspired ensemble definitely had bits of her daring style and established her as a Met Gala icon. It wouldn’t be the first time either that Rihanna was one of the best dressed at the Met Gala. Year after year Rihanna has served some of the best Met Gala looks that definitely go into the Hall of Fame criterion. In 2007, Riri had the biggest single of the year “Umbrella” which gave her the dramatic shift in her career that made her one of the biggest pop icons. The same year Riri had her first Met Gala moment at the “Poiret: King of Fashion” when she wore a prom-esque white gown with a halter top and crystal embellishments with mesh gloves. Her statement accessory was the one single rose in the most scarlet colour- which did start her own journey of owning the colour red. In subsequent years, Riri did deliver more looks that were simply out of the world.
In 2009, Rihanna went for a menswear vibe with a black silk tux with dramatic puffed sleeves at “The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion”. Another look that I died over was definitely the John Galliano custom beaded dress with a matching beaded cape and mitre. The dress was nothing short of regal and the Barbadian singer gave us one of the best Met Gala looks ever for the “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between” theme. Will Riri attend the Met Gala 2024? Only the month of May can tell.
Beyoncé at the 2016 Manus x Machina-
While Beyoncé has really stopped attending the affair altogether, the last look that the Queen had with her latex Givenchy gown at “Manus x Machina” seamlessly fused technology and couture. The form-fitting, futuristic dress emphasised her status as a trendsetter, drawing admiration for its sexy latex and the skin hugging peachy nude colour. This one was her fifth Givenchy dress in a row and the brand surely delivered. Bey is also famously known as the Mother of Trains, but in this one, she ditched her classic train look and went for a more mermaid-style finish. Givenchy does Beyoncé like no other brand does- in fact, at the 2012 Met Gala “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations”, Bey decided to show up at the gala all of a sudden, after taking a hiatus from the carpet when she gave birth to her daughter Blue Ivy. The day of the event, Bey informed her then-stylist Ty Hunter that she, after all, wanted to go, and in a matter of hours Givenchy put together a dramatic dress that fully matched the maximalist aesthetic of both Schiaparelli and Prada. The long bright purple train did not just sweep the carpet but swept all attendees and media persons alike.
Another look that Bey served was at the 2015 “China: Through The Looking Glass” in the very- very sheer Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci. The dress bared nothing and featured mostly Swarovski crystals and stones that were strategically placed to protect just her bare numbers. Such a “you got it, you flaunt it” number that will surely go down in history as one of the boldest numbers on Met. Been a while since Bey last graced the steps of the Met, but we look forward to seeing her at the Met Gala 2024.
Zendaya at the 2019 Camp: Notes on Fashion-
Zendaya went full Cinderella at the 2019 “Camp: Notes on Fashion” Gala in a transformative Tommy Hilfiger gown. The dress, lighting up as if by magic, epitomised camp extravagance, and Zendaya’s enchanting presence left a lasting impression on the red carpet. The 2019 was the last time that the Spiderman actress graced the Met steps and it will only be on the fateful night when we will learn if the steps will still be Z-less at the Met Gala 2024.
Another look that had the internet failing was the 2018 Met Gala which had the theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”. The 2018 had Z’s famous Joan of Arc look which did cement her role as a fashion icon too. She was clad in a blunt auburn bob with the fiercest micro bangs in a heavy armour dress by Versace. Absolutely an on-point look for the theme.
Lady Gaga at the 2019 Camp: Notes on Fashion
Lady Gaga at the 2019 Camp | Oglooks
Lady Gaga and drama go hand in hand when it comes to fashion. Gaga’s four-in-one Brandon Maxwell hath all hell unravelled at the same “Camp: Notes on Fashion” Gala when she made a grand entrance in an ensemble unlike any. The look had four different ensembles. Each layer revealed a different look, with the most theatrical extravagance imaginable on the Met carpet, solidifying Gaga’s reputation for pushing sartorial boundaries.
The first outfit was a bright pink dress with an unimaginable 25-foot train, which had its own train of people to help her with. For the next look, Maxwell disrobed her to reveal a stunning black corset dress which she later completed with an umbrella. The next look was a bright Barbie pink strappy dress that she paired with Linda Farrow sunglasses and a Tiffany necklace. She also got a big chunky telephone with her outfit, which, if you think about it, is only appropriate, with her hit song “Telephone”. Surely the lyrics for “And now you won’t stop calling me; I’m kinda busy.” with all the media attention she garnered with the stunt. The next outfit came when Gaga took off her clothes and out came a black crystal bra and underwear with stunning sequined tights. Probably one of the most dramatic moments of Lady Gaga’s history on the carpet, as she arched and posed sexily on the stairs of the Met. Can’t wait to see what Gaga has to put in at the Met Gala 2024.
Kim Kardashian at the 2015 China: Through The Looking Glass
Although Kim Kardashian’s track record at the Met Gala is less than stellar, the Roberto Cavalli gown she donned at the “China: Through the Looking Glass” Gala was a choice par ordinaire because it highlighted her curves with elaborate feather embellishments. The dress had the most strategically placed crystals and had a long train of stunning feathers. The inspiration, she said, was simple- the stunning gown Cher wore to her very first Met Gala back in 1974. The sheer elegance of the dress, combined with its cultural inspiration, earned her a spot among the night’s best-dressed attendees. The dress followed the trend of barely-theres set by Rihanna earlier in 2014 when she wore her iconic naked dress to the CFDA Fashion Awards- the Adam Selman fishnet dress which allegedly had over 216,000 Swarovski crystals.
The second elder sister of the Kardashian-Jenner clan also turned heads at the 2023 Karl Lagerfeld- A Line of Beauty, when she arrived in a stunning Schiaparelli gown- who, by the way, are known for their maximalist and surreal fashion, made almost entirely of differently sized pearls. The dress had a halter style bodice which was covered in chains of pearls and a skirt-like formation on her hips and legs- which too, was made of pearl chains. The dress was on point with the theme, as Lagerfeld did have a blatant inclination towards pearls. The dress was also a refreshing throwback to her 2007 Playboy shoot, where she had posed only with pearls- reclaiming her history with the one power move. Let’s see what the Skims owner has to offer this year at the Met Gala 2024.
Priyanka Chopra at the 2017 Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons
Priyanka Chopra at the 2017 Rei Kawakubo | Oglooks
Priyanka Chopra’s Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren velvet dress at “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” stood out with its luxurious fabric and posh headpiece. The outfit had a gorgeous ruby-red shade gown with a jewelled headpiece and gold eye makeup. The bold red lipstick gave the dress everything it needed for the most regal look ever. The actress’s daring fashion sense and ability to embrace unconventional styles with grace. We are ready for what the Indian actress has to offer at the Met Gala 2024
Billy Porter at the 2019 Camp: Notes on Fashion-
Billy Porter’s “Sun God” ensemble by The Blonds at the “Camp” Gala was a spectacle of opulence and theatricality. It’s unlikely that anything can top the look and the drama of it all. The golden wings and sparkling catsuit made a bold statement, reflecting Porter’s commitment to defying traditional gender norms and celebrating self-expression. The outfit was a bejewelled catsuit complete with 10-foot wings and was inspired by Ancient Egypt. Porter also had on 24 karat gold headdress and custom gold shoes that were designed by Giuseppe Zanotti. Long live the King who did not think Tuxedo was his only option at the Gala. We await to check what Porter has in his deck for the Met Gala 2024.
Katy Perry at 2019 Camp- A Note to Fashion mini dress-
Katy Perry is more often than not considered to be the Met Gala theme queen, with her always on-point outfits in the most extravagant style imaginable. The Roar singer transformed into a chandelier at the “Camp” Gala with a custom Moschino mini dress adorned with working lights and Swarovski crystals. Jeremy Scott quoted to Vogue that the built-in corset of Perry’s dress consisted of “18 steel bones and two hidden battery packs to illuminate the lights.” The whimsical and elaborate creation perfectly embodied the camp theme, showcasing Perry’s penchant for theatrical fashion moments. Definitely an energy we would be looking forward to at the Met Gala 2024.
Perry also had a stunning Maison Margiela gown at the 2017 Met Gala “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between”, when she was a co-host, and boy, did she not disappoint. The red tulle gown went in the most stunning way with the matching veil, diamond Lorraine Schwartz rings, and red Tabi boots.
For The 2016 “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”, Perry was a guest of Miuccia Prada, and she ensured that she went full Prada in her ensemble. She donned a gorgeous black and green Prada gown with highly detailed gold accents. She had also bleached her eyebrows to go with the look and sent the entire fashion world into a frenzy. Will Katy Perry return for the Met Gala 2024? Stay tuned to find out more.
Cardi B at the 2018 Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
Cardi B at the 2018 Heavenly Bodies | Oglooks
Cardi B has the kind of over-the-top flair that just attracts all kinds of Couture brands that you can find around. Her Met Gala debut in 2018 “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” featured a regal Moschino gown adorned with pearls and an extravagant headpiece. She was also pregnant at the time and rocked the intricately detailed gown with a never-seen-before flair. With the gown went the drama of the headpiece- playing well into the whole “Catholic imagination” thing. The over-the-top ensemble exuded elegance and drama, making Cardi B a standout on the red carpet.
If 2018 was not enough, B again made headlines at the 2019 Camp- Notes on Fashion with her essentially-a-duvet red dress which really needed 10 people to carry as she strutted down the carpet of the gala. This Thom Brown outfit was easily one of the best Met Gala looks ever ahead of Met Gala 2024.
If Katy Perry is the Queen of Themes, Cardi B follows by closely. Her 2023 “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty ” ensemble had one of the most on theme dresses ever- dresses truly in plural-, with the 4 dress evening that she had. She started with a pink Miss Sohee tulle dress when she left her hotel with architectural ruff, changed into her “dress of the evening” Chenpeng Studio gown with a collar and tie, that paid perfect homage to the legacy of Lagerfeld, proceeded to clad a Richard Quinn number in tweed, which she paired with pearls and a huge cross necklace, before culminating into the final look of the after party- a form-fitting dress that featured Women’s Wear Daily columns on Lagerfeld’s work at Chanel.
We are yet to get hands on what Cardi B has in store for Met Gala 2024, and if she will be attending. Cardi B did quote to Emma Chamberlain during her Vogue interview about the pressure of it all- “The anxiety is insane. Everything [is my fear]: bad pictures, people not liking my outfit, it’s just everything. The pressure!” Does this mean that we may not see our favourite American singer and rapper at the Met Gala 2024? We find out more in the months to come.
Celine Dion at The 2019 Camp: Notes on Fashion
Celine Dion’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion” look, a fringed Oscar de la Renta bodysuit with a dramatic headdress, displayed her playful side. The theatrical outfit showcased Dion’s willingness to embrace bold fashion choices and her ability to effortlessly pull off avant-garde styles with the sheer fringe on the bodysuit- a true Judy Garland inspiration. Waiting for her Met Gala 2024 look to be revealed.
Blake Lively At Every Met Gala Imaginable
Blake Lively, a veritable muse of the Met Gala’s red carpet, has consistently dazzled with her sartorial choices, carving out a niche for herself as a true fashion icon- probably one of those actors who have never shied away from the over-the-top-ness that Met requires. One standout moment was her 2018 Versace creation—a regal and intricately beaded ruby gown with striking gold and maroon regalia. The gown’s ornate bodice and cascading train had an unparalleled opulence reflecting Lively’s fearless approach to fashion. Equally memorable was her 2016 Burberry gown, an absolute piece of delight with blush-toned feathers. The very particular craftsmanship is one of the best looks ever at the Met Gala.
Met Gala 2024 Hosts
Last year’s lineup, featuring luminaries like Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa, and the indomitable Anna Wintour of Vogue, set the bar high. Wintour, steering the Met Gala since 1995, has been instrumental in moulding it into a cherished, annual ode to fashion.
We now have the list of all the fashion enthusiasts who will lead this iconic event into another year of glamour and creativity. The Met Gala hosts 2024 will be a spirited group of Zendaya, who is still riding high on Dune’s success, the Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny, the effervescent Jennifer Lopez and the God of good looks, Chris Hemsworth.
Met Gala Theme 2024
Met Gala Theme 2024 | Oglooks
The Met Gala 2024 will be held on May 6 and is certain to bring with it outfits that will probably outlive the word infamy itself. The fashion world is stoked for the innovative, and let’s face it, shocking looks that are to come this year at the extravagant affair. The theme for the Gala was the event last year itself on November 8- “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening” fashion and is sure to set a few creative looks for the fashion season.
Last year marked the contentious commemoration of designer Karl Lagerfeld, renowned for his extensive yet divisive career, overshadowed by his objectionable viewpoints which many argued should never have been expressed. Actress Jameela Jamil had a lot to offer on the matter and had an Instagram post up on the same where she critiqued everyone who attended the gala who has “decided all of a sudden we can separate the art from the artist when convenient. To the unversed, Karl Lagerfeld was an outspoken xenophobe and misogynist who had time and again ruffled the feathers of everyone with his offensive remarks at women and races other than his.
The theme for the Met Gala in 2024 is a covenant of the convergence of fashion and nature, as orchestrated by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The inspiration for this year’s gala is drawn from the Institute’s exhibit, a splendid collection that stretches across 400 years of history, displaying over 250 items. The exhibit is ingeniously structured around three distinct zones: Land, Sea, and Sky, creating a mosaic of the earth, the ocean, and the heavens.
Andrew Bolton, the curator of the exhibition, characterises the theme as “an ode to nature and the emotional poetics of fashion.” In a dialogue with Harper’s Bazaar, he talked about the underscore of the gala by explaining that it is not solely a display of historical garments but a homage to fashion as a living, breathing art form. The show features garments that have been “reawakened” from the Institute’s permanent collection of rarely seen historic items to evince it to the world. These pieces, once tucked away for preservation, will now be brought to life alongside innovative technology. This technology aims to revive not just the visual aspects of clothing but also the sensory experiences associated with them — the smells, sounds, textures, and motions that are integral to the essence of fashion. You ask how?
The gala will also feature some of the most notable garments from the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, some of which are so fragile that they cannot be held upright, lest they disintegrate. These dresses will not be worn physically, of course, but will be featured in glass cases- akin to the Sleeping Beauty story- but that is where the similarity to the “prickly” story ends.
Furthermore, the Land, Sea, and Sky theme paves the way for eco-conscious and sustainable fashion statements. Expect to witness celebrities embracing designs inspired by the natural world, promoting environmental consciousness through their attire. With the emphasis on innovation and technology in the fashion industry, the gala may also showcase AI-influenced looks, reflecting the ways in which modern technology is redefining and reawakening the fashion landscape.
Met Gala 2024 Dress Code
The Gala will go along the Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion exhibit and will feature some of the most innovative yet antique pieces that are to be ‘revived’ in the current fashion milieu. The dress code has now been revealed to be “The Garden of Time” which is based on a 1962 short story of the same name by JG Ballard. The story chronicles the life of Count Axel and his wife, the Countless who reside at a villa of profound beauty that overlooks an equally stunning garden. An angry mob attacks the villa and with each passing hour, they get closer to the villa. The Count must pluck a flower from his own garden to reverse time and save himself. The garden soon renders barren with the constant plucking and the mob descends upon the duo. The story narrates the tale of fleeting beauty, which is in sync with the theme of the evening that exhibits more of such fragile pieces, which once were emblems of paramount beauty, but can wither at even a slight touch.
What Can You Expect At The Met Gala 2024
The theme Sleeping Beauty does open the door to a lot of interpretations- not the Disney Princess Aurora style, but of course in the revival of antique apparel with the modern kick to give a more contemporary feel. I certainly do expect to see some elaborate gowns on the carpet in the most extravagant way imaginable. I am looking at you, Billie Eilish, with your HUGE Oscar de la Renta Met Gala peach tulle dress at the 2021 Met- guaranteed it did bring about the most important “ethical policy change”, as New York Times put it, as Eilish, who herself is an animal rights activist, got the renowned brand to stop using fur in any of their compositions. Dua Lipa too wore a vintage Chanel bridal dress, which was previously worn by famous model Claudia Schiffer, who also happened to be Karl Lagerfeld’s muse with a jaw-dropping over-100 ct Tiffany necklace. The gown was ethereal and so was Lipa in the most princessy ensemble you can imagine on the carpet.
The other part of the theme is Land, Sea and Sky, which possibly hints towards a more sustainable approach towards fashion- or perhaps the incorporation of more natural elements in the apparels with related motifs. The “reawakening fashion” however might bring about the inclusion of AI by many stylists. Many old pieces might come out and be ‘unravelled’ and ‘reawakened’ by technology to give you looks that are reminiscent, yet fresh. Kim Kardashian’s infamous Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday Mr. President” look at the Met Gala 2023, which brought its own set of mixed reactions, could be the simplest example of old pieces coming back.
Vogue also reported that ‘especially fragile gowns’ are also set to be featured at the Costume Institute Gallery and will be presented via “video animation, light projection, soundscaping, AI, CGI, and other forms of sensory stimulation.” If we see similar technology being used on the carpet is something we have to wait for till the actual D-day, but it would not be the first time that technology would be incorporated at the Met carpet. The 2016 Met Gala- Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology had the innovative look of Claire Danes in the most stunning, and I must add, impressive Zac Posen dress that was made from a fibre optic woven organza which was nothing short of a look reminiscent of a Modern day Cinderella- coming alive in the dark of the night, in just the faintest collection of lights- which definitely made her aglow.
Bolton envisions a profound tribute to nature and the emotive poetics of fashion, deftly intertwining bygone sartorial masterpieces with contemporary resonances. Employing innovative techniques such as Pepper’s ghost illusion, video animation, light projection, soundscaping, AI, and CGI, the exhibition will transcend the conventional, offering a multisensory odyssey through history, artistry, and sustainable fashion practices. The Pepper’s ghost illusion method is commonly employed in many entertainment settings such as theatre, film, amusement parks, museums, television, and concerts. It involves projecting an image of an object located off-stage in a manner that creates the appearance of it being positioned in front of the audience.
What will happen at the Met Gala 2024?
Fans can tune in via Vogue’s live stream, a tradition that offers a front-row seat to the red carpet spectacle on Vogue.com and various digital platforms. Last year’s live stream, helmed by La La Anthony, Derek Blasberg, Chloe Fineman, and Emma Chamberlain, offered real-time reactions and insights on the spectacular red carpet ensembles. However, the gala’s internal mechanisms are shrouded in secrecy, enforced by a stringent no-phone and no-social-media mandate for attendees. Exclusive snippets from previous galas, like Kendall Jenner’s behind-the-scenes footage in 2021, offer a scarce glimpse into the event’s lavish table arrangements, menu, and decor. The evening typically progresses with guests delving into the exhibition before convening for an opulent dinner, frequently enhanced by a magnificent performance.
Conclusion
As the fashion world anticipates the Met Gala on May 6, 2024, the excitement is tangible. The event promises a showcase of innovation, creativity, and profound appreciation for fashion, ensuring this year’s designs will mesmerise and influence, honouring icons such as Elsa Schiaparelli, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Dior. The Met Gala remains a focal point of ingenuity, extending the limits of what is achievable in the sphere of fashion.
For more updates on Met Gala’s looks, visit OGLooks.
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