Year after year we look forward to the Met Gala to marvel at the industry's most spectacular creations, worn by the biggest stars no less. The theme for this year is "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" which taps into the historical aspect of garment-making. The Costume Institute's exhibition this year includes rarely seen or displayed archival pieces—they're too fragile to be worn, even by a mannequin.
The suggestion here is that these garments are valuable artefacts of fashion that maintain its significance in spite of its condition. Which all leads back to the theme: Important archival works seen as pieces of art that are laid to rest in the museum, hence "Sleeping Beauties".
The dress code was inspired by J.G Ballard's novel The Garden of Time, a text that explored the themes of rebirth and inevitable decay through floral motifs and nature. In tandem with the theme, this prompted Met gala attendees to "reawaken" fashion's most memorable archival pieces inspired by the stages of nature. While some celebs like Kendall Jenner and Zendaya breathed new life into true vintage works of art, some opted to pay homage to vintage creations by replicating or drawing inspiration from them.
Here, we've collected all the best vintage and vintage-inspired looks that graced the carpet of the prestigious Met Gala.
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Zendaya in vintage Givenchy and Alexander McQueen
Zendaya walked the carpet the second time donning a vintage Givenchy gown by John Galliano from the spring/summer 1996 couture collection. Its corset bodice and voluminous silhouette was made even more extravagant with a bouquet-shaped headpiece by Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen's spring/summer 2006 collection.
Kendall Jenner in Vintage Givenchy
The supermodel graced the carpet in a never-worn-before Givenchy gown by Alexander McQueen for the autumn/winter 1999 couture collection. The dress featured fringe detailing, exaggerated collar and sleeves as well as a cheeky see-through panel. The vintage gem was previously displayed only on a mannequin, before Kendall woke it up!
Iris Law in Vintage Versace
The English model and Versace ambassador leaned into the garden theme with her butterfly-esque gown. She put on a magnificent display with the dazzling multi-coloured sheer gown, a piece from Atelier Versace's autumn/winter 2002 collection by Donatella Versace herself.
Emily Ratajkowski in vintage Versace
Emily Ratajkowski bared all with a sheer bejewelled gown detailed with intricate stitching that resembled petals of a flower. The archive Versace number was featured in Atelier Versace's 2001 autumn/winter collection and was sourced from vintage seller Tab Vintage, known for one of the best places to source vintage couture.
Fabiola Beracasa Beckman in vintage Dior
Film producer and art gallery owner looked exquisite in a vintage Dior gown by John Galliano from the spring/summer haute couture collection. The hand painted dress fit the dress code with its likeness to a neoclassical garden statue as explained on her Instagram.
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Zendaya in vintage-inspired Maison Margiela
Zendaya with the help of her talented stylist Law Roach put on a ravishing display on the Met carpet perfecting the theme to a tee with its strategically placed vines and ruffles in a rich dark green. The star wore Maison Margiela by John Galliano, with the designer drawing inspiration from his own work at Dior, more specifically, the spring/summer 1999 haute couture collection.
Nicole Kidman in vintage-inspired Balenciaga
The actress and Balenciaga ambassador looked divine in a black and white ruffle gown, a work of art replicated from Cristobal's 1951 spring/summer couture collection. Kidman sported long white gloves to match the silky white bodice of her extravagant get-up.
Lana Del Ray in vintage-inspired Alexander McQueen
The iconic singer took on a darker approach to fit the dress code. Lana's look included a veil of fine tulle draped over weaving branches all the way from the extravagant headpiece down to the hemline of the gown. Lana worked with new creative director Sean McGirr to create the bewitching garment inspired by Alexander McQueen's autumn/winter 2006 collection.
Donatella Versace in vintage-inspired Versace
The queen of Versace wore a gorgeous textured gown revealing on her Instagram that she drew inspiration from the ivy details of Gianni Versace's spring/summer 1997 collection and strategically added clear drops to resemble morning dew.
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Emma Chamberlain in vintage-inspired Jean Paul Gaultier
The Youtuber and Met gala presenter looked enchanting, embracing her inner goth girl to display a darker twist on the event's dress code. Her form-fitting ensemble was inspired by Jean Paul Gaultier's 2003 spring/summer couture show featuring delicate brown lace and the house's signature corset silhouette.