Met Gala 2024 to Showcase "The Garden in Time" Theme

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced that the 2024 Met Gala, set to take place on Monday, May 6, will feature the theme "The Garden in Time." Inspired by the J.G. Ballard short story of the same name, the event will showcase rare garments from the 17th to 21st centuries as part of the museum's "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibition.

The exhibition, which will run from May 10 to September 2, 2024, at the Met's Fifth Avenue location in Manhattan, New York, aims to investigate rebirth and renewal through fashion. It will draw 250 items from the Met's permanent collection, featuring pieces from iconic designers such as Christian Dior and Elsa Schiaparelli, who were inspired by the natural world.

The Met Gala, known for its celebrity-filled guest list and high-profile fashion, serves as the annual fundraising event for the museum's Costume Institute. This year's co-chairs include Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Lopez, and Zendaya, who will join Anna Wintour in greeting guests. The red carpet arrivals will begin at 5:30 pm.

The dress code for the event, "The Garden of Time," references themes of impending doom and a paradise set to be destroyed by dystopia, as depicted in Ballard's story. This abstract theme allows for varied interpretations, and the involvement of fashion brand Loewe, known for its diverse campaigns, hints at an intriguing guest list.

Why this matters: The Met Gala is one of the most highly anticipated fashion events of the year, attracting global attention and setting trends in the fashion industry. The 2024 theme's focus on the intersection of nature, technology, and fashion history promises to spark important conversations about sustainability and the role of fashion in shaping our understanding of the world.

The exhibition will incorporate technology, including artificial intelligence and soundscapes, to improve the overall experience. It will also feature a unique illusion technique called Pepper's Ghost to bring fragile "sleeping beauties" from the archives back to life. "The exhibition aims to 'unstitch and enlighten our understanding of the natural world through the fashioning of dress and textiles'," said Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute.

Key Takeaways

• 2024 Met Gala theme: "The Garden in Time" inspired by J.G. Ballard
• Exhibition "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" to run May-Sep 2024
• 250 rare garments from 17th-21st centuries, featuring iconic designers
• Co-chairs include Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya
• Exhibition to use AI, soundscapes, and Pepper's Ghost illusion technique