How to Interpret The 2024 Met Gala Theme
The 2024 Met Gala theme is “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” with the dress code being “Garden of Time,” but a myriad of interpretations is afoot. Year after year, the Met Gala serves as the fashion industry spectator sport – in which the looks worn by the attendees are adjudicated based on the theme and dress code in question. Some attendees hit the nail on the head and adhere to the dress code in full force. Whereas others have proven they aren’t shy to go in another direction upon wearing something quite different than the theme and dress code altogether.
The designated theme promises a night of sartorial splendor, conjuring imagery of fairy tales, dreams, and a timeless allure of femininity at its core. A transformative nature in slumber and the anticipation of awakening to a new dawn can be perceived distinctively depending on the naked eye. A theme and dress code can be executed literally, figuratively, or the complete opposite of what it is.
Designers expected for this year’s Met Gala boast the opportunity to execute the most avant-garde looks, in a literal sense. As a play on the “Sleeping Beauties” aspect, picture attendees walking up that iconic staircase wearing designer sleepwear, or garments that are heavily influenced by such. Seeing an attendee go the quirky, camp route in this respect could also be done by pulling from archives – of which there are many. The Viktor & Rolf Bedtime Stories show in 2005 included more than one look equipped with a pillow behind it, but namely an entire dress crafted with quilted fabric resembling a bedspread. Caroline Hu did something similar for Spring 2024, but hers leaned on the theatrical, abstract side.
Florals are the least groundbreaking motif this time of year, but are undoubtedly the most conspicuous route attendees will take this year. Many references can be entwined in the development of some looks here, especially Charles Frederick Worth. A slight nod to the father of haute couture should be palpable, considering one of his 19th century ball gowns will be part of the exhibit. Botanical looks by way of the “Garden of Time” dress code go hand in hand with the thematic premise, but this can be executed in more than one way. Yves Saint Laurent’s haute couture 1999 floral-adorned closing look epitomizes the essence of this year’s theme, and would serve as an appropriate archival pull. Think Rihanna’s custom white Valentino look last year or model Jourdan Dunn’s 3D printed petals dress by Zac Posen in 2019.
Every year, there is always a small increment of Met Gala attendees who respond to the theme with an opposing point of view. Dress code policies have gotten tighter and tighter over the years as a result of this, so to see how that is reflected this year will be quite intriguing. Male attendees notoriously take the understated route year-round, by wearing a simple black tuxedo and it is typically the female attendees at the forefront. But perhaps this year will prompt more of a balance in terms of caliber in a look, regardless if the attendee is male or female. The Costume Institute’s Spring 2024 exhibition, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, will be on view commencing May 10th and concluding September 2nd 2024, featuring about 250 garments which will be “connected visually through nature, which also serves as a metaphor for the transience of fashion,” according to The MET in a news release. Watch Vogue’s full Met Gala coverage of the red carpet, interviews, and highlights to see how attendees have interpreted this years theme and dress code!
Featured Image Courtesy of The MET Communications