Every year on the first Monday in May the biggest celebrities, movie stars, musicians, and athletes gather to celebrate the Met Gala. Contrary to popular belief, the Met Gala is not a costume party, but rather a fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Designers dress guests (handpicked by Vogue magazine’s longtime editor Anna Wintour) in a theme that corresponds to an exhibit at the museum’s Costume Institute for fashion’s biggest night. This year’s was “The Garden of Time,” a nod to the exhibition “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” and based on a short story by English writer J.G. Ballard, written in 1962.
As you’d expect, florals were a huge trend on the off-white carpet and, in some cases, perhaps groundbreaking.
Here’s a look at our favorites from the night.
Actor Zendaya, a co-chair for the 2024 Met Gala, donned two striking looks at the Met Gala. Styled by her longtime collaborator Law Roach, Zendaya’s first look was a Maison Margiela Artisanal by John Galliano dress. She recently released the tennis film Challengers.
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WNBA forward Angel Reese, the former LSU basketball star and recently drafted rookie for the Chicago Sky, wears a custom seafoam green 16Arlington dress. Reese celebrated her 22nd birthday at the gala May 6 and returned to Chicago to play in the Sky’s second preseason game the next day.
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Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons dons a full-length Thom Browne coat and clock briefcase at the Met Gala on May 6. Simmons, who missed much of last season due to injury, took to Instagram to share the look and a message to fans: “A man doesn’t stop when he’s walking through the fire.”
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Former NBA star Dwyane Wade (left) wears a Versace suit and wife Gabrielle Union (right) sports a Michael Kors gown at the Met Gala. The couple will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in August.
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Tennis legend Serena Williams was assisted with a floor-length, trained golden Balenciaga dress (right) and matching headpiece (left) for the Met Gala. Williams described the look as “Going for gold” on Instagram.
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Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs attended the Met Gala in a custom H&M shining suit. Diggs owns the clothing brand Liem.
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Tennis star Venus Williams attends the Met Gala dressed in a Marc Jacobs gown was made up of a bevy of small circular mirrors. Williams reportedly broke only one mirror on the dress while getting ready.
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Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton attends the Met Gala in a Burberry suit and matching shimmery coat. Hamilton attended less than a day after racing in the Miami Grand Prix on May 5.
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Actress La La Anthony wore a black and red Alexander McQueen gown to the Met Gala. She also interviewed attendees on the red carpet for Vogue.
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Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. arrives at the Met Gala in a Bode suit with embroidered floral accents. After spending the 2023 season with the Baltimore Ravens, Beckham is now a Miami Dolphins receiver.
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Accompanied by her stylist Law Roach (right, in white), actor Zendaya (left) returns to the staircase in a black vintage Givenchy couture gown topped off with a bouquet headpiece to help close out the night.
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Channing Hargrove is a senior writer at Andscape covering fashion. That’s easier than admitting how strongly she identifies with the lyrics “Single Black female addicted to retail.”
