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The Met Gala 2024, a must-attend fashion event, was held on Monday, May 6 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, celebrating the theme “The Garden of Time.”
The Met Gala, often referred to as the “Oscars of Fashion,” is an annual extravaganza that captivates the globe with its opulence and elegance. Orchestrated by Anna Wintour, Vogue’s editor-in-chief, this charity gala took place on Monday, May 6, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This year’s theme, “The Garden of Time,” drew inspiration from a 1962 short story by J. G. Ballard. The event also marked the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual exhibition.
The theme encouraged designers and attendees to reflect on the concept of time through fashion, using floral and botanical motifs to depict the fleeting nature of seasons and epochs. The accompanying exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” showcased both historical and contemporary fashion pieces, underscoring their enduring beauty and relevance.
Months of preparation culminated in a night where designers worked closely with celebrities to craft ensembles that not only embraced but also transcended the theme. Celebrities such as Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny and Chris Hemsworth, who co-chaired the event, showcased stunning outfits.
For the evening, Bad Bunny donned a dark suit with pronounced seams and a large, Tudor-era hat, complemented by a black floral bouquet. Zendaya, dressed by John Galliano for Maison Margiela, wore a dress in electric blue and emerald tones, complete with a veil and delicate feathers. She later changed into a gown with a long black train, capped with a rose-adorned hat.
The theme “Sleeping Beauties” and the dress code “The Garden of Time” were vividly brought to life with natural motifs such as flowers embroidered on ruffles, dress trains and as adornments. The gala also featured the extravagant looks of Lana Del Rey and rapper Cardi B, whose dress train required nine people to carry. Proceeds from the gala support the museum’s fashion department, the Costume Institute, with individual dinner tickets priced at $75,000 and tables costing up to $350,000.
The exhibition experience was enhanced through recreated sounds, like those from an Alexander McQueen seashell dress, and collaborations with OpenAI to create interactive experiences with historical figures.
Each year, the fashion choices at the Met Gala significantly influence future trends and redefine the realms of creativity and glamour. The 2024 gala, with its enthralling theme “The Garden of Time,” prompted contemplation of fashion’s role in our perception of history and the future. Additionally, this year witnessed innovative uses of artificial intelligence, with Katy Perry, though physically absent, causing a stir by posting an AI-generated image of herself at the gala on Instagram — a move that deceived many, including her own mother. Other celebrities, like Rihanna and Selena Gomez, were also virtually represented through deepfakes created by fans, sparking debates across social media platforms.
With AFP
