The annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute is here once again. Coinciding with the exhibition Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion for this year, 2024's Met Gala dresscode embraces melancholy and the ephemeral in "The Garden of Time''. What the exhibition refers to as "sleeping beauties" go deeper than fairytale references, they instead celebrate clothing and fashion so fragile that it can never be worn again.
The evocative-sounding dresscode, however, is tinged with irony. "The Garden of Time" is titled after a 1962 short story by J.G. Ballard, describing the last days of aristocrats Count Axel and his unnamed wife who lives in a secluded villa surrounded by a garden. From the distance, an army closes in on ever so steadily, posing a threat to the peaceful existence within the villa. Within the gardens of crystalline plants, though, are flowers that could reverse time when it's plucked—Count Axel's last resort which only managed to delay the inevitable invasion when the last flower is picked.
The Best and Most On-Theme Looks of Met Gala 2024
In truth, it's quite uncanny how fitting the dresscode is. A gathering of the modern-day "aristocrats", an invitation to fashion's biggest night itself is a highly sought-after status symbol. In an increasingly chaotic world, this level of lavishness does seem ironic. Given the short story's ending, the gala does suggest that the guest and hosts are doomed. Is this intentional on the co-chairs' part? While the answer is unclear, let us celebrate the spectacle again this time.
Mona Patel
 Mona Patel wearing Iris van Herpen at the 2024 Met Gala/ Foto: Getty Images |
To get things straight, Iris van Herpen is and always will be otherworldly—a clear fit for this year's Met Gala theme. On Indian entrepreneur Mona Patel, styled by Law Roach, iris van Herpen's immaculate craftsmanship shines through its intricate layers, masterful construction, and those moving butterflies.
Emma Chamberlain
 Emma Chamberlain wearing Jean-Paul Gaultier at the 2024 Met Gala/ Foto: Getty Images |
The 22-year-old content creator Emma Chamberlain seems to take inspiration from the fairytale Sleeping Beauty, specifically from the antagonist Maleficent. While often bubbly, Chamberlain's black lace look channels a sinister aura that she doesn't often tap into.
Mindy Kaling
 Mindy Kaling at the 2024 Met Gala/ Foto: Getty Images |
Dramatic and sculptural, Mindy Kaling's nude Gaurav Gupta dress exudes an understated yet majestic aura. The dress is constructed from sheer fabric, which textures and layers gleam under thelights—adding into the look's ethereal quality.
Colman Domingo
 Colman Domingo wearing Willy Chavarria at the 2024 Met Gala/ Foto: Getty Images |
Regal and unapologetically aristocratic. Colman Domingo is in his element, wearing a black-and-cream ensemble by Willy Chavarria. Always a cut above from his peers, his voluminous look is completed by a cape and a bouquet of flowers.
Tyla
 Tyla wearing Balmain at the 2024 Met Gala/ Foto: Getty Images |
Tyla's look for the night is one of the most interesting interpretations of the theme. Obviously playing on the motif of time, the singer's form-fitting Balmain dress is a textural marvel of sand and micro-crystal studs. Through this gown sculpted based on a cast of Tyla's body, creative director Olivier Rousteing captured the transient nature of shifting sands into a "crystallized" piece of art. In lieu of a traditional handbag, Tyla carries an hourglass instead.
Quannah Chasinghorse
 Quannah Chasinghorse at the 2024 Met Gala/ Foto: Getty Images: Jamie McCarthy |
Model Quannah Chasinghorse looks into her home, Alaska, for her Met Gala look. Wearing a custom H&M dress, the shade is directly inspired by the rare forget-me-not flowers. The voluminous silhouette continues to play on the theme, evoking an image of a blooming flower.Chasinghorse also works with Native American artist Heather Dickson-whose tribe crafts flower art-for a touch of heritage in her look.
Sam Smith
 Sam Smith and partner Christian Cowan in coordinated suits at the 2024 Met Gala/ Foto: Getty Images |
The singer Sam Smith attends the gala in an excellently coordinated look with their boyfriend, Christian Cowan. The pair wears an ensemble of double-breasted suits, with details that complement each other. Smith's black suit has the left side covering the left while Cowan's white suit is the opposite. Both suits are fastened vertically by a golden flower on the side, adding an on-theme touch of elegance. Bonus points for Smith's sheer tulle skirt.
Chloë Sevigny
 Chloë Sevigny at the 2024 Met Gala/ Foto: Getty Images |
We saved the best for the last with this list. While most of the attendees for the 2024 Met Gala focuses on the theme's ephemeral glamor, model/actress Chloë Sevigny skips to the aftermath of "The Garden of Time". Wearing her hair braided in loops—courtesy of hair artist Mustafa Yanaz—Sevigny stated that she takes inspiration from the Victorian era tradition of remembering loved ones by making jewelry out of the deceased's hair. She dons a haunting decayed look made out of repurposed Victorian fabrics made by Dilara Findikoglu and Ana Khouri. Truly a look where every element is intentional and builds a cohesive whole.
(alm/tim)