Our Favourite Looks From The 2024 Met Gala: The Garden of Time

Fashion’s biggest night is finally here, and once again, all eyes are on the Met Gala’s red carpet, ready to judge, fawn, and boo as we see fit. Every year, the internet serves as judge, jury, and executioner on this iconic night. Us plebeians might not have degrees in fashion, but when has that ever stopped anyone from posting strong opinions online? That’s right, never!

This year’s theme for the annual fashion extravaganza held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” coinciding with the launch of the Costume Institute’s exhibit featuring 50 historically significant fashion pieces, some too delicate for wear. The 2024 Met Gala co-chairs are Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Lopez, Anna Wintour, and Zendaya.

Don’t confuse the theme with the dress code which is “The Garden of Time,” drawing inspiration from J.G. Ballard’s 1962 short story of the same name. Judging by what some of the attendees wore, not everyone did the required homework — yet again, we’re disappointed but not surprised. But forget the flops, let’s focus on all the people who passed the class down below!

The Met Gala 2024 Standouts

1. Ayo Edebiri in Loewe

You can take Ayo Edebiri out of the kitchen from The Bear, but that doesn’t mean she’ll stop cooking! The wittiest and most hilarious actress around proves that she can crack jokes while also being incredibly fashion-forward. Dressed in Loewe, Edebiri turned heads in her backless white halter gown featuring multi-coloured three-dimensional flowers. Her slicked-back chignon is also decorated with matching flowers, she’s a vision from every angle!

2. Elle Fanning in Balmain

Every garden worth visiting has to have a fountain and Elle Fanning volunteered herself as the Met’s centerpiece this year. Our very own Sleeping Beauty puts every other fountain in the world to shame with this sculptured masterpiece from Balmain. The gown looks like it was made using literal ice, complete with two perching birds decorating the shoulders. Is it just us, or does the dress appear to be melting — is that a pool of water around Fanning’s feet, or is it the dress’s train?

3. Alia Bhatt in Sabyasachi

Photos simply don’t do this hand-embroidered saree from Sabyasachi justice. When contemplating the dress code, Indian actress Alia Bhatt said that, “there’s nothing more timeless than a saree,” and she was right on the money. 163 individuals, including master craftspeople, embroiderers, artists, and dyers invested an insane amount of time (1965??) in order to create the ethereal saree you see above. So it’s mandatory that we absorb every single detail about this piece; admire the beadwork, the fringes, and the super long train.

4. Greta Lee in Loewe

2024 is clearly Loewe’s year, as the brand has delivered look after look with no signs of slowing down. Actress Greta Lee, another Loewe muse, came impeccably dressed in this sheer, structured gown embellished with tiny white flowers. Hats off to Miss Lee for showing the girlies how to pull off a sheer outfit without looking tacky or underdressed. Speaking of hats, will we have to don one if Lee brought micro fringes back in style? Despite how stunning she looks with it, we definitely can’t pull it off.

5. Anok Yai in Swarovski

A crystal blue stream or a tranquil lake is a welcome sight in any garden, breaking up the monotony of greenery and florals. At the “The Garden of Time” Met, we have supermodel Anok Yai and her jaw-dropping ombré Swarovski crystal suit doing just that. Can you imagine how dazzling the contrast of the crystals against her deep skintone must look in person? Throwback to fashion icon Rihanna’s words (absent from this year’s Met for health reasons, we’re devastated!), “They’re covered in Swarovski crystals, girl!”

6. Gigi Hadid in Thom Browne

We’re still mourning Bella Hadid’s absence from the event, even though the model spent weeks in New York very recently, fuelling rumours of her red carpet comeback. But, alas, it was not meant to be. We’ll take Hadid’s older sister, Gigi, and her gorgeous Thom Browne look as a sincere apology from the family for our dashed hopes. Considering how much Gigi ate, it’s safe to say that they’re all forgiven! Zoom in to the train and you’ll notice that Hadid’s dress is wearing a little suit of its own — why is that so adorable?!

7. Wisdom Kaye in Robert Wun

First met. We made it, not I but We. I love you all. pic.twitter.com/nOY6vmuS5O

— Wisdom Kaye (@modsiwW) May 7, 2024

And here we have our first and only male Met Gala 2024 attendee who made enough of an impression to join our list. The kicker? Wisdom Kaye isn’t a celebrity in the traditional sense, he’s a model and fashion influencer who was named “TikTok’s Best Dressed” by none other than Vogue. With an insane fashion credential like that, Kaye had no choice but to make his Met debut a slay while wearing custom, fire engine red Robert Wun. Peep the artfully singed details on his fedora and trench coat.

8. Tyla in Balmain

Phew, Tyla definitely took our breath away with this custom Balmain look, guys. But be sure not to get any Water near her as the sculptured dress is made out of sand so it might crumble apart! The Creative Director of Balmain, Olivier Rousteing, said that the sand was moulded to Tyla’s body. We have no idea what sort of fashion wizardry was used to achieve said feat, but whatever it was, it slays! And the extra detail of Tyla carrying an hourglass to match her sand-covered hourglass figure? We’re obsessed!

9. RAYE in Fendi

Roll up in the Bentley, I want Christian, I want Fendi! Turns out RAYE really meant those lyrics in her viral track Prada as she dazzled on the Met steps in custom Fendi. We declare RAYE’s Met debut a certified hit and if you disagree, just take a look at her silver bustier dress dripping with flower pistils and matching gloves. Her signature curled hairdo adds to the Old Hollywood glamour — a vibe that RAYE does best.

10. Lana Del Rey in Alexander McQueen

No one is likely to forget Lana Del Rey like they did the tunnel under Ocean Boulevard after she wore this dramatic Alexander McQueen garb. The songstress gave a nod to both the theme and the dress code for this year’s Met, as this look screams “fairy tale”, but which one? The rose with its stem wound around her wrist and finger seems to hint at Beauty and the Beast but the sinister gnarled vines creeping up her gown and headdress lean more towards Sleeping Beauty. Regardless, she’s a vision.

11. Zendaya in Margiela and Givenchy (and Alexander McQueen)

Met Gala 2024’s co-chair Zendaya watched the red carpet and clearly found it lacking as she decided to serve two looks to tide us over until next year. We owe her one! Her first outfit is custom Margiela by John Galliano with a headpiece by Philip Treacy. The royal blue dress is dripping in drama and wickedness — and clusters of grapes! All that’s missing is a wine glass to swirl while cackling evilly.

Zendaya’s surprising second look is a direct archive pull; the dress is from Galliano’s debut collection for Givenchy Spring/Summer 1996 and the flower bouquet headdress is also by Philip Treacy from the Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2007 collection. Dare we say that she is by far the best dressed co-chair this year? Yes, we dare! Which Zendaya look is your favourite?

What do you think of the 2024 Met Gala! Let us know and make sure to follow Glitz on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest updates!