The Met Gala, which has long been considered the marriage of art and fashion, was back in 2024 with a theme that infused fresh life into the old-fashioned clothes. Celebrated under the title “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” the 2024 gala commemorated the fine line that exists between preservation and innovation, turning the Metropolitan Museum of Art into a world where age-old fashion items were brought back to life by contemporary technology.
A Night of Enchantment: The 2024 Met Gala
On May 6, 2024, the Met Gala was the Opening Gala for the Costume Institute’s spring show. The theme was inspired by the vulnerability of fashion and the need to revive clothing that had been locked away in archives for years. More than 250 items across four centuries were presented with the use of state-of-the-art technology like artificial intelligence, computer-generated images, and sensory experiences like lighting projections and soundscapes .
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The Garden of Time: Dress Code and Interpretations
Adding to the theme of the exhibition, the dress code for the evening was “The Garden of Time,” a reference to J.G. Ballard’s short story published in 1962. People picked up on this theme, wearing outfits that reflected the fleeting beauty of flowers and the working of time. Florals prints, flowing gowns, and clockwork motifs graced the red carpet, representing the fleeting but long-lasting power of fashion .
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Highlights and Notable Appearances
The ball was co-chaired by an all-star cast: Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth. Zendaya, returning after a four-year absence, dazzled with two very different looks. Her first look was a dramatic Maison Margiela piece inspired by Dior’s 1999 couture, and her second look was a vintage Givenchy gown from John Galliano’s first haute couture collection, paired with a floral headdress by Philip Treacy.
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Other guests also adopted the theme with flair and imagination. Tyla’s sand-colored Balmain dress, which necessitated her being carried up the Met steps, was a highlight, capturing the fine line between art and fashion.
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Reawakening Fashion: The Exhibition
Opening to the general public on May 10, 2024, the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” exhibition gave visitors an evocative experience. Clothing was presented through an array of experimental techniques to reach out to visitors’ senses. From touch-oriented 3D-printed surrogates to scent elements constructed by artist Sissel Tolaas, the exhibition strove to reclaim audiences for these historical items from their present tedium and formalism.
Guest curated by Andrew Bolton, the show showcased the work of fashion icons like Alexander McQueen, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Vivienne Westwood. Through the incorporation of technology and sensory aspects, the show revolutionized the conventional concept of fashion conservation, encouraging the audience to be a part of living art through garments.
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A Timeless Celebration
The 2024 Met Gala and its related exhibit were able to span past and present, upholding the fashion heritage while capitalizing on potential for the future. Through inventive display and story telling, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” reminded everybody that although fashion might grow older, the design and emotion of the garments remained eternal.
