The Met Gala 2024: From Dreams to Awakenings
Evolution of Met Gala Themes: From Dreams to Awakenings
The Met has released the 2024 Met Gala theme four weeks ago and has left many scratching their heads in confusion. The theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” might evoke images of ruffled dresses and Disney princesses, but the actual concept is a bit more abstract. According to The Met, “Using the natural world as a uniting visual metaphor for the transience of fashion, the show will explore cyclical themes of rebirth and renewal, breathing new life into these storied objects through creative and immersive activations designed to convey the smells, sounds, textures, and motions of garments that can no longer directly interact with the body.”
In honor of the red carpet event, we’re taking a walk down memory lane to revisit some of the best concepts. Keep reading for a complete list of Met Gala themes, dating back to 2015.
A Glimpse Into the 2024 Met Gala
The Met Museum has given viewers a sneak peak into some of the garments that will be used in the upcoming event on Monday May 6. “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion will explore notions of rebirth and renewal, using nature as a metaphor for the impermanence of fashion”. The exhibition dates are expected to run from May 10 through September 2, 2024, and will feature original research, conservation analysis and diverse technologies to revive and explore the sensory capacities of masterworks in the Museum’s collection (The Met).
Met Gala Timeline
In the last ten years, this annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute has consistently delivered iconic moments that transcend the boundaries of traditional red carpet expectations. From the opulent and thematic affairs curated by Anna Wintour to the jaw-dropping ensembles that have adorned the world's most influential personalities, the Met Gala has become a beacon of innovation in the fashion industry. Memorable themes from the past decade include the breathtaking "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" in 2018, the avant-garde "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" in 2016, and the rebellious "Punk: Chaos to Couture" in 2013. As we embark on a journey through the highlights of the Met Gala's recent history, we witness a tapestry of creativity, self-expression, and boundary-pushing couture that has left an indelible mark on the intersection of fashion and culture.
2023: KARL LAGERFEL: A LINE OF BEAUTY
The intent of the 2023 Met Gala theme was to honor the late designer, Karl Lagerfeld. The theme was influenced by the approaching Costume Institute exhibition of the same name. A memorable moment for the 2023 Met Gala was Janelle Monáe’s costume change from her Thom Brown coat to a hoop skirt, which also included a sequined bikini underneath.
2022: IN AMERICA: AN ANTHOLOGY OF FASHION
As a continuation of the previous years’ Met gala theme, both are observations of fashion in the United States. The winner of the 2022 Met Gala was Billie Eilish, who wore a Gucci silk corset gown that incorporated a goth/punk style.
2021: IN AMERICA: A LEXICON OF FASHION
The Wendy Wu Curator in charge of the Costume Institute, Andrew Bolton, examined how fashion had been changed in recent years because of social justice movements and political views, and believed that American fashion was encountering a renaissance. This year Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attended the gala wearing a gown with the slogan “Tax the Rich”. Cara Delevinge also wore a top that had the words “Peg the patriarchy” on the front.
2019: CAMP: NOTES ON FASHION
Motivated by Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay, Notes on “Camp”, the goal of this year's theme was to be able to have a “love of the unnatural” of artifice and exaggeration”.
2018: HEAVENLY BODIES: FASHION AND THE CATHOLIC IMAGINATION
Medieval art, Caltholicsim, and fashion were the three main themes of the 2018 Met Gala. Looks included crosses on gowns or on jewelry, crowns/headbands that resembled a halo.
2017: REI KAWAKUBO/COMME DES GARÇONS: ART OF THE IN-BETWEEN
The 2017 Met Gala theme honored the Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo. It would be based on Kawakubo’s interest with “in betweenness”, therefore the outfits would have themes such as East/West or past/and present.
2016: MANUS X MACHINA: FASHION IN AN AGE OF TECHNOLOGY
The “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age Technology” theme would be focused on the contrast between handmade haute couture and machine-made fashion.
2015: CHINA: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
This year, the gala concentrated on China’s influence on Western fashion. The theme would later become a subject of a documentary “The First Monday in May” directed by Andrew Rossi and produced by Condé Nast Entertainment, Vogue, and Relativity Studios.
new york embroidery studio X the met gala
Amanda Gorman 2021 Met Gala for Vera Wang
Pearl embellishments done by NYES
Kerry Washington 2019 Met Gala for Tory Burch
Embellished with fix by NYES
“Negativity is Noise”
Kate Bosworth 2017 Met Gala
Black Tory Burch gown
Laser cut done by NYES
Miley Cyrus 2015 Met Gala for Alexander Wang
Embellishments done by NYES
At NYES, we continuously adapt to the ever-changing landscape of fashion, always ready to bring designers' visions to life with precision and artistry. We are thrilled to have played a part in creating stunning pieces for these trending colors and look forward to many more exciting collaborations in the future. Stay tuned for more insights into our world of embroidery and craftsmanship. Make sure to subscribe to our blog to keep up with all the latest fashion trends!
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