The slays and nays of MET Gala's 'Garden of Time'
The slays and nays of MET Gala's 'Garden of Time'
Zendaya led the fashion charge – not once, but twice
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Tonight was the 2024 MET Gala.
According to Vogue, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth were the hosts for the event. “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” was the exhibition on display, not to be confused with the dress code theme – “The Garden of Time” – inspired by J.G. Ballard’s eponymous short story.
Harper’s Bazaar described the piece as a “vivid, thought-provoking short story…often seen to act as a metaphor for the evolution of human history and the endless cycle of creation and destruction.”
MET Galas themes of years past have been somewhat disappointing. Perhaps it’s because the bar was set so high in the late 2010’s with “Camp: Notes in Fashion” and “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.”
In my opinion, “The Garden of Time” rose to the challenge. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite – and least favorite – outfits.
Slays
Fashion" “ins” seemed to be fantastical pieces, reflective outfits, and a little bit of butt crack. (I wish I was kidding). Goddesses walked the MET steps with eye-catching finesse, and the nods to nature ranged from subtle to all-encompassing.
Zendaya
I guessed at the start of the night Zendaya would return with a second outfit, and boy did she deliver. Her first outfit was certainly high fashion, but it left something wanting. Her second outfit cemented her status at The Moment.
The flower bouquet hat, the lace, the blonde eyebrows, the corset, the pop of pink highlight, the widow-in-mourning saunter? Fabulous.
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey fit into the “Garden of Time” and the tale of Sleeping Beauty with her mystical, woven ensemble, completed by a red rose. She was a fair maiden lost in the forest. She stole the show with her couture headpiece and brought in bold, beautiful lips and a natural eye. She’s always a queen, but tonight she was a princess.
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton’s Burberry look was simple, yet nuanced. With a prickly gold necklace, flower earrings, and sequined coat, he was elegant and sharp. His outfit was an ode to one of Britain’s earliest known Black gardeners and inside his suit jacket was a poem by a Black English poet.
Dove Cameron
I feel like Dove deserves more credit for her MET Gala outfits. I loved this floral, feathery pink piece. Upon closer inspection, it’s designed to look tattered, drawing tastefully from the darker elements of J.G. Ballard’s story. If you asked me to describe the ideal on-theme dress, this would be it.
Bold Men’s Fashion
I have to shoutout the men who took risks. Barry Keogan, Kieran Culkin, Eddie Redmayne, Bad Bunny, and Dan Levy all stood out to me. My favorite? Gustav Magnar Witzøe. Never heard of him, but this glitzy peach piece is excellent.
Emma Chamberlain
A tattered dress and smoky eye? Incredible. The YouTuber known for her awkward demeanor was anything but as she walked the carpet. It was slinky, and straight out of an unfiltered Hans Christian Andersen tale. I love the arm details, creeping up like vines, and the delicate yet sinister train.
Honorable Mentions
My other favorites were Rachel Sennott’s 19th century heiress vibe, Elle Fanning, and Ayo Edebiri. Venus Williams had a fresh take on silver/sheer, and Gigi Hadid’s white dress with yellow roses was beautiful. I loved Ariana Grande’s iridescent, pearl dress and her makeup.
There were so, so many stunning looks, but unfortunately, they would take all night to write up – and all my character space.
Nays
Black, white, and silver were overdone colors. While everyone loves a good sparkle or sheer, it’s getting boring at this point. I wish there had been more purples and pinks, and certainly more over-the-top flowers. I found many get-ups reminiscent of already-worn outfits.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian wore a “boiled cashmere cardigan,” according to The New York Times. Instagram commenters on The Cut pointed out the object’s sloppy pilling, and many thought it to be a wardrobe malfunction. She does seem uncomfortable – or at the very least, cold.
According to E! News, the choice was intentional. From what I could tell, the bodice of her outfit was ornate and elegant, and by far the most interesting part. I wish we could’ve seen more of it.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat’s outfit was camp, but camp wasn’t the assignment. Her explanation for the theme was that she chose cotton as her flower. She came to make a statement and while I respect that, it fell flat to me. The theme left so much room for beauty and creativity, to come away with a wet T-shirt that could’ve been used for any carpet felt disappointing.
She was committed to the bit, though, I’ll say that.
The Nondescript Black Suit
Black suit jacket, white undershirt, we’ve seen it a million times. I appreciated some celebrities alluding to the theme with classy broaches, accessories, and embroidering, but they could’ve done more. (A nod to Mike Faist’s funny beet broach here). Even Chris Hemsworth’s all cream get-up was boring.
Keeping it classy? Snooze.
Camila Cabello
She attempted something here, but I can’t get over the fact that the lacing on the front of her dress looks like a football’s. I like what she was going for with the tattered train, but the silver isn’t working for me, nor are the dark roots.
Finishing The Night
I loved “Garden of Time” theme and enjoyed the celebrities’ gaudy takes, though most played it safe. Even the carpet was more on theme than some people with white rose hedge walls, and a green/cream combo. The gala gave way for artistry and corporeal storytelling. Zendaya brought star power, and even the fashion “nays” were amusing, at least.
My lasting sentiment by the end of the night? “You’re all hot. Do something interesting.”