The Met Gala, Multifaceted Fashion: Execution of “The Garden of Time” theme

BY LONDON DERNIS

Met Gala Monday is a highly anticipated event for fashion fanatics around the world. This year’s dress code was “The Garden of Time” in honor of the museum’s newest exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” Since the transpiration of this year’s gala on May 6, there has been ample time to reflect on the night and its significance. 

The Met Gala is incorrectly assumed to be a fashion show. This stereotype has ignored the gala for what it is: a display of multifaceted fashion in all its interpretations and perspectives in accordance with the annual theme. This is often why the theme draws from inspiration with  cultural significance. For instance, this year’s namesake came from a speculative fiction short story by J.G. Ballard, honoring the value of his literary work. 

Oftentimes, the fashion show stereotype is based on the desire to not feed into forced media and its Hollywood stars. Although the A-lister is the one who receives the invite, the true stars of the night are the fabulous designers and stylists behind the celebrities. They are the ones who mold the theme into one of their own creative visions. In doing so, the red carpet becomes a runway dazzled with outpourings of creativity. 

The famous question “Who are you wearing?” is perhaps most heard on Met Gala Monday. Answers range from big names in the fashion industry like Loewe, Burberry, Saint Laurent, Prada and Dior, to smaller names like Del Core. Displaying the work of designers institutes the use of “Best-dressed.” Though this is a highly subjective term in the realm of fashion, it is best determined based on the theme, rather than the celebrity, when it comes to the Met Gala. 

With a theme as broad as “The Garden of Time,” this year’s gala created opportunities to showcase both creativity and complexity. For some, this meant a goth display of old-timey fashion, and for others, it meant sparkling florals among a sea of green. The range of these displays allowed for the Met Gala’s theme and significance to shine. 

An invite to the gala is a high honor in itself, determined by Vogue Editor-in-Chief and Met Gala host Anna Wintour. Under her authority, the decisions for who will attend the Met Gala are made. For this year’s Met Gala, her expertise in fashion shined with her choices of guests. For one, Zendaya. This year’s Met Gala co-host Zendaya took the red carpet by storm not once, but twice. Her first entrance was that of a bold peacock-like dress by Margiela. She then made a reappearance in a long black gown by John Galliano with a floral bouquet headpiece. Her goth look was one of several black dresses, seen also by singers Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa and Cardi B.

Some celebrities honed in on the fairy-tale aspect of the theme. Embodying the sleeping beauty look was an Aurora herself, with singer Lauvey in a baby pink gown from Prabal with beautiful floral touches. Similarly, In a baby blue Cinderella-like gown with crystals and flowers was actress Sydney Sweeny in Miu Miu. Beyond simply adding a flower to the look, a dedication to nature was heavily leaned into by singers like Lana Del Rey. Her ethereal look was a custom Alexander McQueen with branches and a veil. Singer Tyla also embraced nature with her sand-inspired look by Balmain. Her custom gown was crafted completely out of sand and micro-crystals, and she emphasized it with a sand hourglass in hand.  

For the guys, most typically referred to the classic black and white suit or tux. In doing so, they unfortunately missed the whole value behind a Met Gala theme. Though, this time around, Ben Simmons was not like most guys. He arrived in a Thom Browne outfit that featured a matching suit and coat with a flower along it. The standout of the look was the clock briefcase paying tribute to the time aspect of the theme. 

Still, red carpet photos can only reveal so much, and it’s the interviews during the Met Gala that allow celebrities to share the story behind their outfits and the designers intention in creating it. Some interviews occur along the walls of the red carpet, while others are to the side. Since 2021 now, influencer Emma Chamberlain has held the mic on behalf of Vogue to interview celebrities. 

All in all, this year’s “The Garden of Time” Met Gala did not disappoint. Designers and stylists deserve a round of applause for their shining efforts behind celebrities who strut the carpet with outfits inspired by goth, princesses, nature and time. Next year’s gala will bring a new theme, and with it, a multitude of new looks to both analyze and admire.