Splendor and Elegance: The Timeless Legacy of the Met Gala

Rédigé le 09/05/2024

Jujue LV

Since its modest beginnings in 1948 as the Costume Institute Gala, the Met Gala has become a fixture on the world fashion scene.

© square magazine.fr

First dinner Costume Gala Institute

Launched by fashion journalist Eleanor Lambert in support of the Costume Institute at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the event has grown from a simple dinner into a much-anticipated annual gathering, attracting top celebrities from a variety of artistic fields.

© Archives Bettmann

Eleanor Lambert

Initially reserved for New York's elite, the first galas underwent a metamorphosis under the influence of Diana Vreeland, special advisor to the Costume Institute in 1972, becoming more glamorous events open to a wider public. Since then, the Met Gala has become the pinnacle of fashion, attracting the greatest personalities and creative minds.

© Lynn Gilbert

Diana Veerland

Each year, the Met Gala proposes a theme in keeping with its annual exhibition, exploring subjects ranging from fashion history to modern cultural influences. Memorable exhibitions such as Manus x Machina in 2016,

and Heavenly Bodies in 2018 have stimulated polemics about art and society. For despite its renown, the Met Gala is often the subject of controversy.

The choice of themes and daring outfits raised debates about culture and sensibility.

Madonna created controversy in 2016 at the MET Gala by wearing a dress designed by Givenchy deemed daring for her age.

Rihanna created controversy in 2018 at the MET Gala with her extravagant dress designed by Maison Margiela and signed John Galliano and her papess headdress deemed blasphemous.

The MET Gala, beyond the glamour and glitz, is a charitable initiative for the Costume Institute. The exorbitantly priced tickets attract the elite of fashion, culture and society, demonstrating their generosity to this cause.

Headed by Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, since 1995, it has become an essential forum for celebrating innovation and creativity in fashion.

© Dia Dipasupil

Anna Wintour wearing Loewe

Celebrating artistic expression through clothing and the audacity to push boundaries. The world eagerly awaits the wonders that each new edition of this iconic event has in store.

This edition of the Met Gala dazzled with its bewitching theme Sleeping Beauties: Revealing Fashion,

in which hand-picked guests competed in ingenuity with the Garden of Time dress code, creating a captivating spectacle at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This year, Jonathan Anderson, artistic director of luxury house Loewe,

and Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, took on the role of honorary presidents, lending their support to the event.

To preside over the evening with her, Anna Wintour surrounded herself with some remarkable personalities. Jennifer Lopez, sparkling in a glittering gown,

© Dia Dipasupil

Jennifer Lopez wearing Schiaparelli Haute Couture

Bad Bunny drew attention with a daring outfit,

© Dia Dipasupil

Bad Bunny wearing Maison Margiela Artisana

Zendaya, dazzling with not one, but two spectacular looks,

© Jamie McCarthy

Zendaya wearing Maison Margiela Artisanal

© Jamie McCarthy

Zendaya wearing vintage Givenchy

and Chris Hemsworth, charming and elegant, catching everyone's eye.

© John Shearer

Chris Hemsworth wearing Tom Ford

However, MET Gala icons Rihanna, Blake Lively and Taylor Swift were conspicuous by their absence.

Each outfit was a work of art in itself, testifying to the ingenuity and talent of the designers who created them. From sparkling gowns to daring suits and eccentric accessories, every detail was meticulously orchestrated to create a stunning visual symphony.

As the lights dimmed on the Met Gala 2024, its magical moments will remain etched, inspiring for years to come. Once again, the Met Gala has demonstrated that it transcends the mere setting of a social evening; it embodies a beacon of creativity, elegance and generosity, where fashion and art intertwine.

And to finish on a high note, the Coconut Kronicles editorial team has selected some of this year's most beautiful looks...

© John Shearer

Lana Del Rey wearing Alexander McQueen

© Jamie McCarthy

Tyla wearing Balmain

© Jamie McCarthy

Sarah Jessica Parker wearing Richard Quinn

© John Shearer

Lil Nas X wearing Lua

© Dimitrios Kambouris

Leonardo Del Vecchio wearing Luca Rubinacci

© Dimitrios Kambouris

Lewis Hamilton wearing Burberry

© Jamie McCarthy

Ben Simmons wearing Thom Browne

© Jamie McCarthy

Maleah Joi Moon wearing Collina Strada

© Jamie McCarthy

Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger and Tommy Hilfiger

© Jamie McCarthy

Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman wearing Maison Margiela

© Jamie McCarthy

Harris Reed wearing Harris Reed

Queen Latifah wearing Thom Browne

Hannah Bagshawe and Eddie Redmayne wearing Steve O Smith

Demi Moore wearing Harris Reed

Cara Delevingne wearing Stella McCartney

Lena Mahfouf wearing Schiaparelli

Nicole Kidman wearing Balenciaga Haute Couture

Shakira wearing Carolina Herrera

© John Shearer

Venus Williams wearing Marc Jacobs

© John Shearer

Iris Law wearing vintage Atelier Versace

Karlie Kloss wearing Swarovski

Imaan Hammam wearing Swarovski

© Justin Lane

Precious Lee wearing Bad Binch Tongtong

Odell Beckham Jr. wearing Bode

Usher wearing Alexander McQueen