This year, the hallowed halls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art will come alive with the mesmerizing exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” curated by the visionary Andrew Bolton. With approximately 250 rare garments picked from the Costume Institute’s treasure trove, this exhibition promises to transport attendees through time and space, breathing new life into fashion’s most cherished relics. Many of these treasures are rarely unveiled to the public eye, deemed too delicate for conventional display methods due to their fragility.
Met Museum Director Max Hollein described the upcoming spring 2024 Costume Institute exhibition as a groundbreaking endeavor, transcending conventional boundaries to immerse viewers in the multi-sensory essence of each garment. “Sleeping Beauties” seeks to reignite our connection with these fashion masterpieces, invoking their tactile, auditory, olfactory, and interactive qualities, thereby fostering a profound appreciation for their artistic significance.
MET GALA
The theme for this year’s Met Gala, “The Garden of Time,” draws inspiration from J.G. Ballard‘s 1962 tale of the same name. As celebrities grace the red carpet adorned in interpretations of this evocative theme, it’s a fitting moment to delve into Ballard’s timeless narrative. While the gala may be synonymous with haute couture and glitz, Ballard’s story explores themes of temporal flux and the ephemeral nature of existence. Through his elegant prose, Ballard explores the inexorable passage of time and the delicate intricacies of human mortality, juxtaposed against the backdrop of societal upheaval. As attendees pay homage to Ballard’s narrative with their attire, they not only celebrate the artistry of fashion but also engage in a deeper contemplation of the transient nature of life itself.
Taylor Russell, as LOEWE‘s Global Brand Ambassador, wore a personalized ensemble designed specifically for the Met Gala. The outfit boasts a high-neck bodice meticulously crafted with 3D molding and adorned with a printed pattern that cleverly creates a trompe l’oeil effect reminiscent of wood marquetry. This is elegantly paired with a draped skirt made from silk crepe marocain, featuring a thigh-high slit for added appeal.
LOEWE has crafted a unique ensemble for Ariana Grande for the Met Gala, drawing inspiration from the luminous sheen of mother-of-pearl. The custom design features a leather bustier intricately molded and adorned with mother-of-pearl accents, complemented by a multi-layered skirt crafted from pleated silk chiffon. Each layer of the skirt is meticulously hand-painted to emulate the shimmering surface of the iridescent shell.
FKA twigs graced the 2024 Met Gala in a stunning two-piece ensemble by Stella McCartney, crafted from lab-grown diamonds and featuring a custom knit from the Fall/Winter collection. The ensemble was elegantly styled by Georgia Pendlebury.
Nicki Minaj wore a striking hourglass Marni dress, meticulously crafted from yellow silk duchesse and adorned with hand-painted gold, light green, and black accents, as well as three-dimensional flowers. This ensemble modernizes the silhouette of the 1950s, with sculpted flowers emerging from hand-painted aluminum leaves, creating the illusion of a blooming bouquet. Completing her look is a unique Trunkaroo bag, complemented by pointed-toe silk satin pumps and floral-inspired jewelry designed specifically for the occasion. Meanwhile, Creative Director Francesco Risso opted for a tonal gray suit paired with pointed lace-up shoes.
LOEWE’s custom Met Gala look for Global Brand Ambassador Josh O’Connor draws inspiration from the exaggerated tailoring of the Fall Winter 2024 women’s runway collection with a single-breasted elongated tailcoat in fine wool. Worn with pinstripe wool trousers, a caviar pearl beaded shirt, and bowed tie brooch from the LOEWE x Lynda Benglis collection, hand-beaded Campo Biker Boots featuring colourful floral motifs complete the look.
Jennifer Lopez donned a strapless sheath gown by custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture featuring a daring neckline, elegantly draped and slit at the front with illusion tulle. The entire ensemble was meticulously adorned with warm silver pearls and rhinestones, requiring over 2.5 million silver foil bugles and beads, along with 800 hours of intricate hand embroidery to achieve its stunning appeal.
Rosalía dazzled in a Dior Haute Couture ensemble, featuring a black wool and silk bustier paired with a flowing train and skirt. Completing her look were Dior shoes and a headpiece. She accessorized with a Dior Delicat necklace adorned with white gold, diamonds, and a yellow diamond from Dior Joaillerie.
Lewis‘s embroidered Burberry coat pays homage to the rich symbolism of flowers within Black history. Adorned with meticulously crafted motifs, including periwinkles symbolizing endurance, yucca representing eternity and protection for restless spirits, daffodils known for their resilience as ‘pass-along’ flowers, and cedar branches signifying everlasting life.
Artist Charli XCX attends the gala wearing a white draped gown crafted from patchworked vintage t-shirts from the 1950s and 1970s. Hand-sewn by fifteen seamstresses at the Marni atelier in Milan, the dress is fully embroidered with rhinestones and glass beads, with a tonal thread dissolving into the fabric. Requiring two-hundred hours of workmanship, the delicate embroidery and finely visible stitches emphasize the brand’s signature “mending”, a staple across Marni collections.
Lana Del Rey adorned in a personally tailored creation by Sean McGirr, showcasing an exclusive design from Alexander McQueen‘s archives while honoring the craftsmanship of the workshop. A silk double georgette and tulle corset dress intricately embellished with hand-embroidered bronze hammered bullion hawthorn branches, drawing inspiration from the weathered allure of Alberto Giacometti‘s sculptures.
Ambika Mod donned a Loewe gown that drew inspiration from the iconic Petal dress created by 20th-century designer Charles James. Crafted from luxurious silk, the dress features a digitally printed rendition of James’ renowned 1951 ball gown, capturing the essence of its petal-shaped waist detail and floral-inspired petticoat with a subtle blur effect. This trompe l’oeil creation embodies the signature style of Loewe, resonating with the blurred aesthetic of the Fall Winter 2023 women’s collection. Complementing the ensemble, Ambika accessorized with jewelry from the collaborative LOEWE x Lynda Benglis collection.
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Amelia Gray Hamlin graces the occasion adorned in the terrarium dress from UNDERCOVER‘s SS24 collection, a creation crafted by the talented Jun Takahashi.
Nicole Kidman adorned herself in a white bustier ensemble crafted by Balenciaga, featuring double silk satin for the bodice and a flowing skirt adorned with hand-frayed organza and feather-like embroidery.
Usher wears ensemble from Alexander McQueen, featuring a black wool twill cape adorned with black dipped rose appliqué detail. His attire also includes a tuxedo jacket and trousers crafted from black wool barathea, intricately embellished with jet stone embroidery and red dipped rose appliqué accents. Completing the look is a black chiffon shirt and leather boots, exuding a refined and sophisticated aura.
Eiza Gonzalez stole the spotlight at the 2024 Met Gala in a custom peeling orchid gown by Del Core. Designed by Creative Director Daniel Del Core, the gown, crafted from layers of silk organza in rose, ivory, and cream tones, was inspired by Mexico’s state flower, the Vanilla Orchid. Del Core’s vision captured the delicate unfolding of the orchid’s petals, creating an elegant and mesmerizing ensemble for Gonzalez.
Greta Gerwig wears a Chloe ensemble, donning a black silk crepe de chine blouse paired with high-waisted straight trousers in grain de poudre fabric. Completing her look is a captivating black cape crafted from silk georgette, adorned with exquisite caviar beaded embroidery, a ruffled hem, and a long necktie scarf.
