2024 Met Gala: “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”
Dress Code: “The Garden of Time”
The 2024 Met Gala, officially known as the Costume Institute Benefit, will take place on May 6 at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibit will explore the transitory nature of clothes and the sensory experience of fashion.
Notable Past Met Gala Themes
2023: “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”
The gala paid homage to the late Karl Lagerfeld, showcasing his iconic designs for Chanel, Fendi, Balmain, and Chloé. Guests embraced Lagerfeld’s signature black-and-white and leather style, with plenty of cat references in tribute to his beloved feline companion, Choupette.
2022: “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”
This installment celebrated two centuries of American identity through fashion, featuring pieces from iconic American designers like Ralph Lauren, Halston, and Oscar de la Renta. Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress, on loan from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum, drew considerable attention and sparked controversy over possible damage.
2021: “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”
The exhibit focused on the evolving identities of the United States, fostering conversations about gender, race, and culture in fashion. Billie Eilish wore an Oscar de la Renta dress designed for a cause, advocating for the elimination of fur in the fashion industry.
2019: “Camp: Notes on Fashion”
Guests brought their imaginations to the pink carpet, embracing gender-bending looks and fashion that celebrated excess and artifice. Jared Leto’s interpretation of Alessandro Michele’s Gucci world and Lady Gaga’s Brandon Maxwell creations became iconic.
2018: “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”
The gala drew inspiration from Catholicism, showcasing religious iconography and medieval art in fashion. Guests wore garments resembling papal vestments and displayed biblical artifacts like crosses, angel wings, and halos.
2017: “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between”
This event honored Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo, whose avant-garde creations play with the body’s shape and form. Guests embraced the duality theme with pops of red from Kawakubo’s palette, intricate embellishments, and sheer fabrics.
2016: “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”
The gala celebrated the influence of technology in fashion, featuring garments that showcased intricate details and precise craftsmanship. Karlie Kloss wore a sleek Brandon Maxwell number that referenced classic men’s tailoring with Alaïa-esque angular cuts.
2015: “China: Through the Looking Glass”
While the exhibit explored the history of Chinese art, Rihanna stole the show with her extravagant yellow cape by Guo Pei, which required two years to create and made a lasting impression on the Met Gala red carpet.
2014: “Charles James: Beyond Fashion”
This event paid tribute to Charles James, celebrating his tailored and structural approach to the female form. Guests embraced elegant gowns with his signature grandiose touch, evoking a sense of regal beauty.
2013: “Punk: Chaos to Couture”
The gala delved into the anti-establishment influence of the punk movement, showcasing garments adorned with studs, chains, and fishnets. Miley Cyrus’s short, spiked hair and risqué Marc Jacobs gown epitomized the spirit of teen disobedience.
History of the Met Gala
The Costume Institute’s tradition of holding themed galas dates back to 1973 when Diana Vreeland, after leaving Vogue, curated “The World of Balenciaga.” The gala laid the foundation for future designer-centered celebrations that highlighted the impact of global cultures, art, and style icons.
Some Additional Notable Themes:
- 1983: Yves Saint Laurent: 25 Years of Design
- 1999: Rock Style
- 2003: Goddess: The Classical Mode
- 2009: The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion
- 2011: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
- 2012: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations
Data sourced from: cbsnews.com
