Call that special fashionista in your life ASAP ‘cos the Met Gala 2024 theme has finally been revealed, and consider me sat for the incoming looks and frivolities.
On Wednesday, November 8, 2023— obviously US time — Vogue dropped the theme for the highly coveted fashion fundraiser event, which is “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”.
As a non-fashion girlie, this theme is giving whimsical dresses, outrageous nightgowns and the folks on In The Night Garden, but I doubt we’ll see Makka Pakka on the Met carpet. If that sounds like your thing you can find out how to watch the Met Gala from Australia here.
Regardless, the theme sounds like a complete dream. Thankfully, the big bosses at Vogue have explained the meaning behind “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” for us simpletons who can’t tell the difference between cashmere and Kmart — not that it’s a bad thing, we just have other loves, like football or food.
Here’s everything we know about 2024’s Met Gala.
Table of Contents
- Who are the hosts?
- What is the Met Gala?
- What is the Met Gala 2024 theme?
- Who will be attending?
- When is the Met Gala?
- How to watch the 2024 Met Gala
Who are the hosts?
This year, the Met Gala will be co-chaired by four verrrryy big — and honestly, surprising — celebrities.
Zendaya, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Lopez and Bad Bunny will be repping the event and helping Anna Wintour host the event.
Although being a co-chair sounds like fun, it’s actually kind of a lot of work. They are integral in choosing the theme and help curate the food, guest list and decor. Reminds me of my own time being an intern at a magazine, honestly.
It’s the first time our home-grown giant Chris Hemsworth has attended the prestigious event. JLo has been a whopping 13 times, this will be Bad Bunny’s third and Zendaya has attended five times.
What is the Met Gala?
Before we delve into the meaning of the theme, we must give you some context as to what the event is all about.
Basically, the Met Gala is a ‘yuge fashion extravaganza packed with lavish designer fashions and big celebrities. In recent years, influencers like Dixie D’Amelio and James Charles have made their Met Gala debut — which has turned some folks off — but hey, they made it on the invite list, and we didn’t.
It’s also a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, and the Museum will host a new exhibit that displays pieces of fashion history that have contributed to the theme.
What is the Met Gala 2024 theme?
For 2024’s major fashion shindig, as per Vogue, “the core exhibit will span 400 years” of fashion history and will include “approximately 50 historically significant and aesthetically beautiful pieces from the collection that are far too fragile ever to be worn again.”
This is where the theme “Sleeping Beauties” comes in.
“Fashion is one of the most emotional artistic forms because of its connection to the body. It is imbued with memory and emotions, and we relate to it very much via our senses. One thing I hope this show will activate is that sensorial appreciation of fashion,” Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge of The Costume Institute, said.
“These are the ‘Sleeping Beauties’ of the title.”
It is also reported that technology such as AI, CGI, light projection, video animation and soundscaping will be put in place for folks to understand and connect with the fragility of these pieces — AKA the Sleeping Beauties.
With this in mind, there is also a focus on the need to make fashion more sustainable. That’s why there’s another sub-theme that the celebs will be dressing in — ‘Garden of Time’.
What does the Garden of Time theme mean?
The 2024 Met Gala theme, The Garden of Time, is inspired by a J.G Ballard short story of the same name. It tells of a Count Axel and his wife, the Countess, in their “utopia of leisure, art and beauty”. The Count and Countess try to hold on to this fleeting eden, but outside, a mob draw closer. To restore their tranquility, the Count plucks a time-reversing flower from his garden. He continued to pluck them, until they run out. In the end, the mob descends on the villa, now dying, with the couple entangled in thorny belladonna plants.
Last year, the Met Gala’s theme was “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”, and that one was definitely a wild ride. Many celebs dressed as Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette.
The Gala’s 2023 theme received backlash as netizens highlighted Lagerfeld’s problematic behaviours, including fatphobia and homophobia. We made a ‘yuge running list right here of why folks were (rightfully) mad at the Gala’s theme if you wanna give it a geeze.
Oooh, people can show up on the red carpet and recite their favorite Karl Lagerfeld quotes about fat people, sexual assault, immigrants and the Holocaust. So many to choose from. Bravo, Anna Wintour. Great choice: https://t.co/gxb4Bs2sgr https://t.co/FJKCLYXYmv
— TheFerocity on BlueSky (@theferocity) September 30, 2022
Who will be attending?
Guest lists for the Met Gala are never revealed before the extravaganza, so it truly is a surprise. However, the event usually hosts about 600 guests — so surely there’s space for the Matildas.
Unfortunately, a few big stars missed out last year, such as Ariana Grande, Zendaya, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. Hopefully, all four of these ladies return to serve some lewks!
We do know some names a head of time. Here’s who we know is confirmed to attend the 2024 event.
When is the Met Gala?
The Gala always takes place on the first Monday of May since 2005 — so, in 2024, it’ll take play on May 6.
The only times the Gala didn’t take place on a Monday in May were in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
Afterwards, the celebs scatter about New York to attend different after parties, and we have no doubt the tea will be spilling by the gallon.
How to watch the 2024 Met Gala
The Met Gala is a tricky event to watch for Australians, as most platforms it is being streamed from are not available Down Under.
Currently the best option to watch is to visit Vogue.com’s livestream. However we have more details on where to watch the Met Gala 2024 from Australia here.
I’m truly excited to see what the girlies pull out of the bag for this theme. I’m expecting regal, royalty, timeless pieces, and I would also love to see more culturally influenced looks.
I will probably cry if I ever see a Filipina terno or barong on the Met Gala carpet.
This theme is such a step up from last year’s.
More info to come.
Image source: Getty Images / Sean Zanni and Neilson Barnard.
