The Met Gala, held annually on the first Monday in May, transformed the Metropolitan Museum of Art into a beacon of fashion and philanthropy. The most awaited fashion event of the year has officially ended and made its way to our social media and flooded our feeds with the most exquisite attires, once again captivated us with its unparalleled blend of creativity, glamour, and innovation. The Met Gala 2024 commemorated the unveiling of the Costume Institute’s latest exhibition, titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” with attendees adhering to the designated theme, inspired by the 1962 short story by English writer J.G. Ballard, the Met Gala 2024 adopted the theme “The Garden of Time.”Andrew Bolton, who holds the position of Wendy Yu Curator in Charge at the Costume Institute, mentioned that the exhibition will be structured into three primary “zones” – Land, Sea, and Sky – which honour the wonders of the natural world. Leading the charge for the Met Gala 2024 were its co-chairs: Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, Chris Hemsworth, and Bad Bunny, alongside the illustrious Anna Wintour. Adding to the event’s allure, Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, and Jonathan Anderson, Loewe’s creative director, assumed honorary chair roles. 

Dedicated to the designated theme, celebrities, emerging talents, and industry icons alike pour their hearts into their red carpet appearances, eagerly seizing the attention of paparazzi lenses. While the inner workings of the event remain shrouded in secrecy, attendees spare no effort in ensuring that their fashion statements captivate every onlooker’s gaze. Each meticulously crafted ensemble becomes a masterpiece in its own right, meticulously curated to command attention and leave a lasting impression on all who behold it. One of the co-chairs, Zendaya, left attendees in awe not just once, but twice, as she made a triumphant return after a five-year hiatus. Stepping onto the red carpet in a custom creation by Maison Margiela’s John Galliano, Zendaya’s ensemble paid homage to a haute couture look Galliano had crafted for Christian Dior back in 1999. The mesmerising deep blue-and-green gown, reminiscent of a majestic peacock, served as a dramatic interpretation of the evening’s theme, “The Garden of Time.” Adorned with metallic birds, berries, and vines, the gown exuded an ethereal elegance, elevated further by a towering feather headpiece delicately tucked into a meticulously hand-painted forest-green beret by renowned milliner Stephen Jones.As the night drew to a close, Zendaya made a remarkable and unexpected decision, stunning attendees with a bold second look. She emerged in a vintage black taffeta gown from Givenchy by Galliano’s spring/summer 1996 collection, sourced from the prestigious Beverly Hills vintage boutique, Lily et Cie. Zendaya and her stylist, Roach, adorned her ensemble with a headpiece made of approximately twenty-four roses, created by Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen’s spring/summer 2007 collection. This surprising wardrobe change showcased Zendaya’s daring fashion sensibility and her ability to effortlessly command attention with her style choices.  

The Indian celebrities including Alia Bhatt, Natasha Poonawalla, Isha Ambani, Mona Patel, Mindy Kaling shone the green carpet and grabbed the attention of the audience. Alia Bhatt, the Bollywood sensation, graced the carpet with a breathtaking presence, further elevating the evening’s charm. Her choice of attire, an enchanting custom designed floral mint green saree by Sabyasachi, captivated all who beheld her. Styled by her long-time stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania, Bhatt’s sari was studded with real gems and featured a 23-foot-long train, intricate embroidery executed by Indian artisans. This marks her second appearance at the illustrious event, building upon her memorable Met Gala debut from the previous year, where she made a striking impression in an ensemble crafted by the renowned designer Prabal Gurung. 

Twitter erupted with excitement and curiosity as Mona Patel made her grand entrance onto the carpet, instantly becoming the talk of the town as the “Mystery guest” adorned in one of the most captivating ensembles of the event. Making her debut appearance, she mesmerised onlookers in a custom creation by Iris Van Herpen styled by Law Roach. Her stunning floor-length gown boasted intricately designed kinetic butterflies adorning the sleeves, their delicate wings gracefully fluttering with each step she took across the illustrious green carpet, further adding to the enchantment of her presence. 

Natasha Poonawalla arrived in a bespoke Margiela creation, courtesy of fashion darling John Galliano. While her presence was striking, it didn’t quite match the impact of her unforgettable 2022 Met Gala ensemble by Sabyasachi x Schiaparelli, flawlessly embodying the theme of ‘Gilded Glamour. Mindy Kaling turned heads in a nude couture gown by Gaurav Gupta, featuring a majestic structured cape. There was speculation about Gupta recycling his design worn by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Cannes 2022 for Kaling’s attire, but Kaling herself dubbed it the ‘Melting Flower of Time,’ perfectly in sync with the gala’s theme. Meanwhile, Isha Ambani dazzled in a hand-embroidered couture sari gown by Rahul Mishra, though it was her unique Chanel doll bag from the previous year that truly captured attention with its Swarovski bindi and delicate detailing.

Gigi Hadid stole the spotlight in a breathtaking off-shoulder dress by Thom Browne, adorned with lifelike yellow roses and lush green leaves. Managing such a grand dress wasn’t easy, though, Gigi had a team of helpers to assist with her voluminous train. As always, she looked absolutely stunning, living up to her reputation for impeccable style. On the other hand, the Kardashian sisters didn’t quite live up to expectations this year and turned out to be a disappointment. Kim Kardashian’s outfit drew criticism for promoting unrealistic body standards with her waist cinching gown, while Kylie Jenner’s hair and makeup were praised for their ethereal, fairy-like quality unlike her attire that added no meaning to theme. Meanwhile, newcomer Tyla made a splash at her Met Gala debut. Rather than walking up the steps herself, she was carried by her team. Tyla’s Balmain dress, inspired by the “sands of time,” featured a strapless beige design with a circular train and a textured sand finish, bringing a literal interpretation to the theme.

As the Met Gala concludes, leaving us with a flurry of memorable fashion moments. Zendaya’s stunning changes and Alia Bhatt’s timeless grace stood out on the red carpet, each star bringing their own distinct sparkle. We missed the star of every year’s show Blake Lively, the Gossip Girl Serena, but her previous years appearance creating iconic moments have a lasting legacy on the steps of the Met. But it wasn’t all glamour and success! Some standout outfits sparked discussions, underlining the fact that fashion is all about breaking limits and making statements. As we say goodbye to another amazing Met Gala, we’re left reminiscing about astonishing ensembles, bold choices, and an exciting anticipation for the future of fashion!