The Met Gala is one of the most exciting nights in the fashion calendar and last week the theme for the 2024 exhibition was finally announced…
The Met announced last Wednesday in a press release that the Spring 2024 exhibit and subsequent Gala theme will be titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” This theme is slightly more ambiguous than the themes of previous years, including “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” (2023) and “Camp: Notes on Fashion” (2019). So, what exactly does this theme mean? And what fashion can we expect to see?
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What is the theme?
The 2024 Met exhibition is entitled Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion. It will feature around 250 pieces from the Costume Institute’s permanent collection that spans 400 years of fashion. The pieces are not only historically significant and aesthetically beautiful, but most are too fragile to ever be worn again. Hence the “sleeping beauties” part of the title, explained Andrew Bolton and Wendy Yu who are the Curators in Charge of The Costume Institute.
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Among the pieces are a 17th-century Elizabethan-era bodice, a 19th-century ball gown by Charles Frederick Worth, and a World War Ⅱ-era dress by the French designer Madeleine Vionnet. The exhibit will also display archival looks from iconic fashion houses such as Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, and Elsa Schiaparelli.
Innovative technologies such as an illusion technique known as Pepper’s ghost will be used to revive some looks. Video animation, light projection, soundscaping, AI, CGI, and other forms of sensory stimulation will also provide deeper context to the pieces.
What is the dress code of the 2024 Met Gala?
The dress code will be “The Garden in Time”, inspired by a short story of the same name by JG Ballard.
What looks can we expect to see?
The dress code, as well as the exhibition, is about fleeting beauty. The most obvious interpretation would be to embrace the “garden” part of the dress code – think moody florals and earthy tones. Alexander McQueen, Dior by John Galliano, and Mugler have a plethora of archival pieces that fit this theme perfectly, so it is to be expected that at least a few may make an appearance at the 2024 Met Gala.
As the theme touches on the relationship between nature and fashion, there will undoubtedly be environment and political statements made on the red carpet.
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Many guests may choose to wear designs inspired by the historical garments that are part of the exhibition itself. Archival pieces from designers’ past collections will undoubtedly make an appearance, but perhaps with a twist of reinvention. We can expect to see technology such as AI incorporated into designs, given that this is also a central part of this year’s exhibition.
The theme also honors circular fashion, so we can (hopefully) expect to see sustainably sourced looks from brands such as Stella McCartney and Connor Ives.
When is the 2024 Met Gala?
As per tradition, the 2024 Met Gala will take place on the first Monday in May, which in 2024 will be on the 6th.
The Met Gala marks the opening of the exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The exhibition will open to the public the day after the Met Gala and will run until 2nd September 2024.
Where can I watch the Met Gala livestream?
The 2024 Met Gala livestream will be hosted exclusively by Vogue and broadcast live across its digital platforms, as well as TikTok and YouTube from 6pm NY time.