On the first Monday of every May, the most iconic sartorial moments are forever imprinted in fashion history. As a bevy of stars make their way up the steps of the Metropolitan Museum, indelible style statements are made—from vintage archival looks to one-of-a-kind haute couture creations. This year, the theme for the Met Gala was "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion", a reference to the fragile garments housed in the Costume Institute archives. Just like the tales of Sleeping Beauty, these historic pieces have been specially preserved in glass cases—till now.
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Accompanying the theme was the "The Garden of Time" dress code which was inspired by JG Ballard’s 1962 short novel. Using flowers as a metaphor for the passage of time, this dystopian tale chronicles the story of a couple who finds themselves trapped in an inevitable loop—growing 'time flowers' to prevent a mob from destroying their home but ultimately resulting in their own demise. Inspired by the novel's picturesque flora and fauna, the dress code was largely reinterpreted into ethereal florals and unparalleled archival pieces on the red carpet.
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Below, browse through some of the best-dressed stars that graced the Met Gala carpet.
Jennie Kim
Fresh off her Jentle Salon collection, K-pop luminary Jennie Kim proves why she's a style savant once again. Showing up in custom Maison Alaïa, the royal blue asymmetrical dress was crafted in crepe georgette and elegantly draped in all the right places.
Zendaya
Red carpet favourite Zendaya stuns in a Maison Margiela artisanal gown. Worn over a satin corset, the actress's bias-cut gown was intricately layered with iridescent organza and tin foil in swaths of electric blue and emerald green. The pastoral theme was also encapsulated by the gown's nature-inspired motifs of birds, flowers and vines.
Tyla
Tyla's Balmain ensemble was one of the few that went beyond the naturalistic elements and instead embodied the essence of time itself. Holding an hourglass in one hand, the South African singer wore a gown constructed based on her a plaster cast of her body. It was also embellished with sand and micro crystals, giving off the illusion that the dress was moulded to her body.
Gwendoline Christie
Channeling theatrical opulence was none other than Game of Thrones alum Gwendoline Christie. Dressed head to toe in Maison Margiela artisanal, the actress wore a matching blood-orange column dress and silk corset. Topping off the thespian look was a dramatic silk tulle opera coat.
Lana Del Rey
The electrifying songstress stunned in an ethereal Alexander McQueen ensemble. A nod to the Maison's archives, the look was inspired by Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti’s sculptures. Sporting a headpiece made by natural hawthorn branches and draped with a tulle veil, Lana Del Rey's light beige gown was also hand-embroidered with similar bronze hammered branches.
Elle Fanning
Showing up as Sleeping Beauty (or Princess Aurora) herself was none other than Maleficent actress Elle Fanning. Crafted with layers of resin, the Balmain gown she wore displayed a luminous trompe l’oeil glass effect. This exquisite illusion was reinforced by 'floating' resin birds attached to the off-the-shoulder sleeves.
Gigi Hadid
Model Gigi Hadid wears a custom Thom Browne corset dress. Featuring a whimsical interplay of yellow roses and green leaf appliques, the elegant gown was also embroidered with over two million white micro bugle beads. Craftsmanship at its finest.
Emma Chamberlain
Youtube star Emma Chamberlain channelled vampy chic in this custom Jean Paul Gaultier ensemble. Dressed in a black lace gown with gothic floral motifs, the metallic accessories further amplified the edginess of the look.