As we round the corner into May, it becomes every fashion fan’s favorite time of the year – Met Gala season. On the first Monday of May every year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute holds a charity event called the Met Gala which celebrates fashion. Each year has an exhibition theme and a matching dress code to go along with it. Everyone’s favorite celebrities attend in their best clothing designed custom by some of the most renowned brands in fashion history.
Vogue reports that this year’s theme is “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” Contrary to popular belief, this theme is not a reference to the story of Princess Aurora; it defines the idea of famously beautiful garments that are too fragile to be worn again. These clothes will be on display physically as well as some that are more delicate that will be presented through video animation, light projection, AI, CGI, and more.
This exhibit could not come at a more perfect time, as the efforts to purchase used, thrifted, and vintage clothing have skyrocketed in recent years to help end fast fashion. And, with another attempt to value nature and promote fighting climate change, the exhibition is split into three zones – Land, Sky, and Sea. The dress code this year is “The Garden of Time” inspired by a short story by J.G. Ballard with the same name.
Many are expecting attendees to be in floral and botanical garments that are vintage, reworked, or inspired by vintage pieces. Each gala is hosted by Anna Wintour (editor-in-chief of Vogue) with celebrity co-chairs. Express disclosed that the co-chairs this year are Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth. The co-chairs are rumored to be wearing Ralph Lauren. Besides them, there is no confirmed guest list, only predictions. The official guest list won’t be revealed until the night of, when they are seen on the red carpet. Some rumored that the Met Gala’s first-timers will be Oscar-nominated Lily Gladstone who recently starred in the film Killers of a Flower Moon and Ayo Edebiri who won an Emmy this year for her work in the Hulu show The Bear.
Other attendees who are expected to make an appearance are Gisele Bundchen, who has previously attended with her ex-husband Tom Brady, Rihanna, who is known for being one of the best-dressed attendees in Met Gala history, and Olivia Rodrigo, who is currently on a break from her GUTS World Tour. The Kardashians are expected to show up, as they have attended several Met Galas in the past. 2022’s Met was the first time all of the Kardashian-Jenner sisters and their mother Kris attended together, with Kim in one of the most famous Met Gala garments, the dress Marilyn Monroe wore to sing Happy Birthday to John F. Kennedy. Kendall Jenner has seemingly confirmed she will be in attendance on social media, and many are hoping the whole family will join her.
Other Met Gala regulars that are rumored to be there are model Cara Delevingne, actress Sarah Paulson, and actress Uma Thurman. Also, the star of hit-film Saltburn, Barry Keoghan, is forecasted to be in attendance for his second time, and many are hoping his girlfriend, Sabrina Carpenter, will go with him. They made their first red-carpet debut together at an Oscars after-party in March.
One can watch the Met Gala red carpet on Vogue.com or Vogue’s social media accounts. The co-hosts of the carpet live streams this year are actor Gwendoline Christie, actor La La Anthony, and model Ashley Graham. Influencer Emma Chamberlain will also be returning to interview the most famous celebrities. Chamberlain has been interviewing at the Met for the last couple of years and in 2022, even went viral for her reaction to rapper Jack Harlow saying, “Love you” in their interview. They reunited last year for their second interview and many are hoping to see them on the red carpet together again this year. Overall, fashion fans are very excited for this year’s Met, the looks that come along with it, and the exhibit celebrating vintage clothing.
