Every year, on the first Monday of May, the Met Gala takes over New York City and my mind, for at least a week. It’s a huge event where celebrities go all out and team up with top designers to create unforgettable looks that everyone talks about for ages, following a theme set by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But there is more to it.
In the 1920s, two sisters, Irene Lewisohn and Alice Lewisohn Crowley, started collecting clothes for stage plays. By 1939, their collection became the Museum of Costume Art. Dorothy Shaver, a fashion advocate, helped move the collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1947. Eleanor Lambert, a publicist, and Shaver organized the first Costume Institute Gala in 1948, raising significant funds. Over time, the gala evolved into a premier event for showcasing fashion and raising money for the museum. Despite criticisms of extravagance and commercialism, the annual event continues to attract attention and inspire fashion exhibitions worldwide.
Interested in a deep dive of the history of The Metropolitan Museum of Art? You’ll love this video essay.
This year’s theme is “Garden of Time,” inspired by a story from 1962 written by J.G. Ballard. The gala ties into the Met’s Costume Exhibit, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” which celebrates nature. The theme symbolizes the fleeting nature of fashion, echoing Ballard’s tale of Count Axel and his wife, who try to stave off danger by plucking crystal flowers from their garden, turning back time until there’s none left.
After work Tuesday evening, I curled up in my bed sporting my finest pajamas, and stared at the gala extravaganza for hours that made me momentarily forget about my mismatched socks. Celebrities, in their couture nods to nature and the ticking clock, made me ponder whether my wardrobe’s greatest tribute to time was that half a decade-old pair of boxers lurking in the back.
Some of my favourite looks from the Met Gala 2024
#1 Zendaya in Maison Margiela channelling Countess energy from The Garden of Time. One look was definitely not enough for her fans, so she had to come with another look wearing Givenchy to stun us. She is not a flower, she wears the garden.
#2 Mona Patel in Iris Van Herpen styled by Law Roach.
#3 Our very own sad girl Lana Del Rey wearing Alexander McQueen, very Mother Nature but make it slightly hostile.
#4 Harris Reed in Harris Reed, looking like and serving DRAMA!
#5 Tyla in a Balmain dress sculpted from sand is pure genius.
#6 Bad Bunny returns to the gala as co-chair looking dapper in Margiela.
#7. Elle Fanning in Balmain looks absolutely dreamy in this Ice Princess avatar.
#8. Lewis Hamilton is what I imagine Count Axel must have looked like in The Garden of Time.
Indians at the Gala this year
At this year’s Met Gala, Indians showcased their flair for glamour, with Sabyasachi Mukherjee becoming the first Indian designer to walk the carpet at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Mona Patel’s mysterious charm and her “mechanical butterflies”, dressed by Law Roach in Iris Van Herpen and Casey Curran, seized the attention of online spectators, igniting widespread curiosity. She became the subject of intrigue among internet users, with many eager to identify the stunning woman who effortlessly commanded attention and nailed the assignment so well.
Alia Bhatt adorned the event in an exquisite Sabyasachi saree, painstakingly hand-embroidered over 1900 hours. The classic ensemble boasted intricate detailing and a remarkable 23-foot-long train, flaunting India’s craftsmanship.
Isha Ambani, the daughter of Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, donned a bespoke saree-gown meticulously crafted by designer Rahul Mishra and styled by Anaita Shroff Adjania. The ensemble showcased a breathtakingly long floral train and intricate hand embroidery. It took an astounding 10,000 hours to bring Ambani’s attire to life, a testament to the dedication and artistry behind its creation.
Natasha Poonawalla dressed by John Galliano in a Maison Margiela with high platform heels from Christian Louboutin.
The absence of Priyanka Chopra was palpable, leaving a little void for me, personally. Despite Chopra’s absence, Indian attendees upheld their reputation for sartorial excellence, making a memorable mark at the gala.
Who were your favourites? Drop your comments below!
