As New York City glides out of hibernation and into a colorful, vivid spring another Met Gala season awakened on Monday night. This time, the official dress code for this year's attending celebrities, influencers, fashion experts and designers is “The Garden of Time.”
The theme refers to the short story of the same name by J.G. Ballard, in which a wealthy Count and Countess live in a walled villa encrusted by a garden of crystal flowers, each of which can slow time when plucked. These must be deployed judiciously as threatened by a violent and angry working class mob encroaches upon their estate. The theme also parallels the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Insitute exhibition that will pay homage to the natural world in “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," referring to past Met Gala pieces that are so fragile, they could only be worn once, and are enhanced using AI and soundscapes.
Citizen fashion critics – sitting in our comfy sweatpants and t-shirts at home – were treated to delicate floral and botanical couture looks, in addition to a bit of fairy tale imagery, on the iconic Met steps. Sadly, no one really addressed the "eat the rich" story from "Garden in Time," unless it was to play the privileged elite keeping out the rabble. Instead a surprising amount of beige, brown and other earth tones hit the red carpet. Fashion and culture's biggest night was hosted by tastemakers like Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, who were joined by annual host Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue.
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Here are some of the most eye-catching looks from this year's ton:
Chris Hemsworth’s look is as boring as every man’s on the Met Gala carpet. In a cream ill-fitting three-piece suit, the host should've shown up in something that isn’t so monochromatic, especially considering the theme. But the Marvel and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” actor looks like a golden Aussie hunk alongside his wife, Elsa Pataky, who somewhat makes up for his lackluster inspiration with her sheer golden gown and matching crown. Still not sure they got the memo for the theme though . . .
Jennifer Lopez is back in her city, ready to order a ham and cheese sandwich at the bodega. Don’t forget about the orange drink – if you know you know. The Bronx native is draped in 2 million beads, symbolizing a graceful butterfly in line with the botanical theme but also looking as intricate as her wildly, disorienting “This Is Me Now” musical film. Her outfit is as mindbending as Lopez’s perplexing public persona.
When Colman Domingo is on the red carpet, you know he’s going to serve a look worth swooning over. In a stunning, silk suit inspired by André Leon Talley, Chadwick Boseman and Chicano culture, Domingo is smooth. He looks dapper holding a bouquet of white flowers to match the outfit.
As this year’s co-host, Zendaya shows up. Hot off the “Challengers” press tour, she leaves the tennis-inspired dressing behind and trades it for a gothic fairy look instead. The actress leans into the drama with 1920s flapper-esque makeup almost making her look as deathly pale as a Victorian child. Maleficent only wishes.
None of Mindy Kaling’s characters could ever make it to a prestigious event like this — they’d probably crash it drunk. But Kaling’s look shows she’s more than worthy to be on the cream and green carpet. She’s in an otherworldly avant-garde piece that arches over her head. From the back, the dress stuns as it drapes like neverending sand dunes.
As one of Vogue's red carpet hosts, the “Game of Thrones” star does not disappoint as she mimics a villainous Cruella de Vil. Her blonde locks are teased so high above her head that depending on who you ask, it looks like a bird's nest or a stratocumulus cloud. Her black and blood-red gown does help lean into the dark female villain look.
Rachel Berry would probably trip Lea Michelle to snake her way onto that green and cream carpet. The “Glee” and “Funny Girl” alum looks angelic holding her baby bump in a baby blue Rodarte gown. A matching tulle cape and the train are the outfit’s main attractions, leaning into the dreamy fairy tale theme of the exhibit.
Everyone’s obsessed with the ever-loveable cool nerdiness of Ayo Edibiri. I just wish she looked as chic here as she has on every other carpet. Edibiri’s outfit is on theme — she is head to toe in an ombre floral gown — but it doesn’t do much for her quirky personality. However, her makeup looks like she was kissed by strawberries – perfect for the people’s princess.
Unfortunately, menswear can be so basic sometimes. Even when someone like Dan Levy is experimenting with color and patterns it still doesn’t look right. Levy’s suit looks like a flower threw up on it. Like Ayo Edibiri’s ombre flower gown — which reserves its bottom half to a riot of pastel flowers — Levy’s suit does nothing for the eye. But at least he is trying something new. I’m pretty sure Alexis would say, “Ew, David" to this.
Our new Glinda and Elphaba are inseparable. Triple threats Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are the new powerhouse duo coming soon to theaters in November in "Wicked." Grande is so clearly in her Glinda era with her blonde ponytail almost matching the shade of her mother-of-pearl gown made by Loewe. Erivo's gown is actually a suit by Thom Browne. Petals cascade down the length, playing with the silhouette and possibilities of a suit. Erivo's outfit is obviously the darker half of the two.
Ever the regal and literal Sleeping Beauty, Elle Fanning does not disappoint in what looks like a 3D-printed fountain dress. Reminiscent of a previous Met look from Zac Posen on actress Nina Dobrev, the sculpted dress hugs Fanning’s body like she’s in the Louvre. Two bird adornments made to look like they're sipping from the fountain flit about her shoulders, really driving home her Disney princess status.
Taika Waititi and Rita Ora are clearly not dressed for the same function. In a disgustingly all-brown leather suit, the filmmaker looks like an uncomfortable leather couch still wrapped in plastic film. Ora is in a beaded dress that covers her front and back side and hangs like she’s fringe in a mid-century modern bar.
Kim Kardashian is no stranger to fitting into a tiny dress. Remember when she lost weight to fit into the iconic Marilyn Monroe dress? This time around, Kardashian is wearing Margiela. Her slim frame looks even more exaggerated as her metal lace gown snuggly hugs her body. It's so snug that it appears the gray shrug over her shoulders is being used to hide a wardrobe malfunction. I wonder if ever the fashion critic and Kardashian’s daughter North West hates or loves her outfit.
Lil Nas X does men’s fashion right. While the rapper might be an internet troll who loves to mess with conservatives, he does take one thing seriously, and that's fashion. In a cream, ‘70s Prince homage, Lil Nas’ one-piece suit, coat and matching acrylic nails are not here to play games. He even has bleached his hair as another accessory to the loungey outfit.
Straight out of a Robert Eggers film, singer Lana Del Rey is haunting. With antlers on her head, wrapped in fabric covering her face the singer looks like she is growing with her dress. It is archival Alexander McQueen and right on theme. Plus, it can keep out mosquitos. Win-win.
Angel Reese does not play when it comes to basketball and certainly not fashion either. On the newly minted WNBA player’s 22nd birthday, she experienced her first-ever Met Gala. While the mint dress with plunging neckline and maribou feathered tutu does not do anything for the 6-foot-3 baller (honestly, it looks a bit like a loofah) it’s a welcome surprise to see young female athletes become hyper-visible.
Usher Baby is one of the few men on the carpet who brings the performance. The singer is known for oozing sex appeal and suaveness, so it’s only right that he seemingly dresses as a cross between a pimp and Zorro. I mean c’mon, he even has a bejeweled rose in his hands as a prop. A cape and leather hat also help bring mystery and intrigue to the singer’s look.
Cardi B always knows how to be the loudest person in the room and that’s apparent in her fashion choices. The rapper’s tiered black tulle skirt took about nine men to unfold as her entire train engulfed the carpet at her arrival. Her black Marge Simpson-esque headpiece, long green nails and jewelry to match really nail the "what I wear to my rich husband’s funeral" vibe of the outfit.
Finally, some spring colors hit this garden party. Nicki Minaj is the self-proclaimed Harajuku Barbie and at this year’s Met Gala, she looks the part. The rapper has never shied away from wearing bright pinks and yellows during the early stages of her career. It’s the look we all widely associate with the rapper, even if she wants to change her image. But here, Minaj plays into her Barbie status in a short yellow mini dress that almost looks like it was painted on her. Pink, blue, purple and orange 3D flowers help give texture to the gown.
Sydney Sweeney eerily looks like Billie Eilish in this powder blue tulle ballgown. The matching leather gloves and short black bob wig are incredibly jarring juxtaposed with the dress’ vibrancy. The “Anyone But You” actress is rarely interesting or experimental fashion-wise and when she tries to experiment, as in this case, she looks like another celebrity.
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