It’s the hottest event in the fashion calendar as the stars take to the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the most elaborate and breathtaking designs. From 3D blooms and bows to never-ending trains, these are our favourite looks from this year’s highly anticipated Met Gala…
The event is a celebration of the Costume Institute’s latest exhibition, which each year offers an opportunity for fashion designers to really unleash their creativity. With a guest list to rival the Oscars and a themed dress code, there couldn’t be a better showcase for all the biggest names in fashion, film and music.
This year’s exhibit – Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion – uses technology to breathe new life into garments from the Met’s archives so fragile they can no longer be worn and must remain under glass. And so, rather appropriately, last night’s Met Gala dress code was The Garden Of Time. Before the A-listers had even enlisted their glam squads, we knew the night would be a spectacular array of florals and fantasy.
What unfolded was a mystical fairytale. There were sheer dresses aplenty, striking headpieces, cascading trains, beads, sequins, shimmer and long flowing locks – take note for the ultimate summer hair.
When fashion truly becomes art, The Garden Of Time theme blossomed, even if guests struggled to walk up the Met steps.
Then, of course, there’s girl of the moment, Zendaya. As the Met Gala co-chair, the chatter around what the Challengers leading lady was going to wear was off the chart. Given her recent run of stellar outfits, we should not have been surprised when she served up two utterly spectacular costumes.
Zendaya wears custom galliano margiela inspired by christian dior spring 1999 haute couture. Headpiece by philip treacy,
Zendaya wears Archival Givenchy dress by John Galliano & Philip Treacy headpiece for Alexander McQueen Spring 2007. styled by @luxurylaw
The next name on the list: Gigi. Yes, there were numerous outfits that wowed, but the instant Gigi Hadid took to the green-trimmed carpet it felt like an iconic moment in the making. With five people to help her navigate the paparazzi gauntlet in her Thom Browne floral embellished gown, the model not only captured the true essence of the theme, but looked every inch the star. However, the creativity, grandeur and ostentatious design didn’t stop there. Elle Fanning, having played the role of Sleeping Beauty in the 2014 Maleficent movie, seemed to once again embody the elegance of a modern-day princess.
Elle Fanning Wears Balmain,Styled by Samantha McMillen
Gigi hadid wears thom browne. styled by Mimi Cuttrell
Nicole Kidman, who referred to the event as her date night with husband Keith Urban, opted for a classic, yet beautiful number. Another one from the archives, her dress was a recreation of a 1951 Balenciaga Couture gown selected by stylist, Jason Bolden. Also dressed by said stylist was American singer, Sabrina Carpenter. Wearing Oscar De La Renta, the pop star was seen cosying up to actor Barry Keoghan. Not sure if we’re more jealous of the dress or Barry.
Sabrina Carpenter wears oscar de la renta. styled by jason bolden
Nicole Kidman wears Balenciaga. Styled By Jason Bolden
JLO WEARS SCHIAPARELLI AND TIFFANY & CO . STYLED BY MARIEL HAENN
As co-chair alongside Zendaya, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Lopez was an early arrival. Not only was her make-up and skin flawless, she looked like a total goddess in her butterfly-embellished Schiaparelli dress. Designed with 2,500,000 silver foil bugle beads, it took over 800 hours of work. And while a number of attendees opted for flowers, JLo felt the butterfly was a perfect articulation of a sleeping beauty.
A butterfly is a beautiful example of something that goes to sleep and wakes up beautiful to live amongst the flowers of a garden.
The duo that got social media a buzz were actors from the upcoming film adaptation of the musical Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Yes, they looked incredible, but it was the embrace they shared that got us all Googling the release date for their movie.
Ariana Grande Wears Loewe By Jonathan Anderson. Styled By Mimi Cuttrell
Cynthia Erivo wears thom browne. Styled by Jason Bolden
Pamela Anderson made her first-ever appearance at the Met Gala, wearing Oscar De La Renta, and make-up. But let’s face it, if Dame Pat McGrath, DBE, dubbed “the most influential makeup artist in the world” by Vogue is on hand, you’re not going to say no to a touch of blush. British actress Alia Bhatt made her second appearance on the Met Gala carpet wearing the most intricate sari by Sabyasachi. It took a collective effort of 163 dedicated individuals, including master craftspeople, embroiderers, artists, and dyers, investing a total of 1965 man hours to create.
Alia Bhatt wears Sabyasachi. styled by anaitashroffadajania & lakshmilehr
Pamela Anderson Wears oscar de la renta & Pandora
Yet another work of art was Greta Lee‘s custom Loewe by designer Jonathan Anderson. Styled by Danielle Goldberg, Lee was, as ever, in good hands. While her dress was sheer, actor Sydney Sweeney‘s custom Miu Miu was light-blue tulle with all-over floral crystal embroidery. She was definitely giving off serious Billie Eilish vibes.
Sydney Sweeney wore Custom Miu Miu, Styled by molly dickson
Greta lee wears custom loewe by jonathan anderson. Styled by danielle Goldberg
And of course, there had to be some experimental fashion, whether that was Lana Del Rey‘s veiled Alexander McQueen situation with an antlered headpiece – a tribute to the late designer’s notable fall 2006 collection. Or Tyla, whose fitted Balmain number was made entirely of sand… highlighting the slipping away of time.
Tyla wears Balmain. Styled by Katie Qian
Lana Del Ray Wears Alexander McQueen. Styled By molly dickson
Then the ‘cool’ girls arrived. All dressed in Chloé, this gang of women proved that boho is back. With Sienna Miller continuing her reign as queen of boho, we suspect white dresses are about to go viral and Chloé’s Creative Director, Chemena Kamali will be the designer of choice to inspire our summer wardrobes.
Sienna Miller wears Chloé by Chemena Kamali. Styled By Harry Lambert
SIENNA MILLER WEARS CHLOÉ BY CHEMENA KAMALI. STYLED BY HARRY LAMBERT