Deep Dive Into the 2024 Met Gala Theme

Deep Dive Into the 2024 Met Gala Theme 

By Sophie Smith

Each year when the Met Gala theme is revealed, spectators are quick to begin analyzing its meaning and guessing at trends we will see on the most famous red carpet in fashion. For all who participate, attendants and viewers, seeing how every guest interprets the theme is invigorating. The 2024 Met Gala theme celebrates the Metropolitan Museum’s new exhibit “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” with the accompanying dress code “The Garden of Time.” 

The Garden of Time is a short story by author J.G. Ballard, published in 1962. The plot follows Count Axel and his wife living within the walls of their lavish villa, with a view of a vast desert of nothingness. Around every three days, an army appears along the horizon, heading towards the villa, which prompts Axel, like clockwork, to pick a time flower from his garden. As the picked flower drains, the army disappears. Eventually, the garden becomes barren, and the army invades the villa. 

So, how does this correlate with this year’s exhibition? This selection of garments includes some of the most delicate in the costume institute’s archives. The purpose of this exhibition is to highlight the importance and diligent care of preserving clothing. Rumors are circulating that the garments will be presented in coffin-shaped display cases and that this exhibit is in retaliation to Kim Kardashian wearing and damaging Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “naked dress” at the Met Gala in 2022.

A familiar costume among the Sleeping Beauties exhibit is a design by Alexander McQueen, worn by Elizabeth Banks in her portrayal of Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The delicate recreation of Monarch butterflies that overlay this dress demonstrates the delicacy of fashion that prompted this exhibition.

Some predictions for how the attendees will interpret the dress code include floral prints, Viktor & Ralph’s 2005 collection that showcases models with pillows and exaggerated bedhead, and princess-esque couture.

Tune in to the 2024 Met Gala on Monday, May 6 to see who best interprets this year’s theme. 

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All photos belong to their respective owners.