NEW YORK, NY.- By Monday morning, the answer to one of the biggest questions looming over the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York had emerged.
Would members of the union representing employees of Vogue and other Condé Nast publications proceed with threatened disruptions to the gala orchestrated by Vogue editor Anna Wintour? No: A tentative contract agreement between Condé Nast and union leaders was reached hours before the event.
But other questions — What celebrities would show up? How would guests interpret the “Garden of Time” dress code? — were only answered as attendees started stepping out of Sprinter vans to make their way into the gala, known formally as the Costume Institute Benefit.
As stars like Emily Ratajkowski, Pamela Anderson and Dan Levy hit the carpet, some sartorial themes became clear. Among them: Floral prints and embellishments, elaborate headpieces and skin-revealing outfits that skewed more Garden of Eden.
At an event where fashion is the focus, it can be harder to stand out on a red carpet (or a greenish one, as was the case at this year’s Met Gala). But these 20 ensembles — for reasons good and not-so-good — will be hard to forget.
Zendaya: Most Cool Blue!
The actress, one of five hosts of this year’s gala, arrived on the carpet in a bluish-green Maison Margiela by John Galliano gown that recalled the palette of a peacock, a comparison even further evoked by what appeared to be a feather protruding from her headpiece.
Gigi Hadid: Most Topsy Turvy!
The model’s Thom Browne gown had a skirt that appeared to be made of deconstructed white suit jackets. Yellow floral embellishments nodded to the gala’s dress code.
Donald Glover: Most Melty!
Over his dark shirt and tie the actor wore a loose caramel-colored Saint Laurent suit that practically melted into the floor.
Doja Cat: Most This Old Thing?!
After leaving her hotel in a Vetements dress resembling a white bath towel, the rapper changed into a giant (wet) T-shirt dress by the same label to walk the carpet.
Cardi B: Most Deep Space!
The rapper’s expansive organza gown by Windowsen conjured the unknowable depths of the universe.
Bad Bunny: Most Accessorized!
A pillowlike headpiece, leather gloves and diamond-shaped sunglasses were among the accessories that the singer and rapper, another host of the gala, wore with his Maison Margiela suit.
Kim Kardashian: Most Breathtaking!
The reality TV star and entrepreneur wore a silver Maison Margiela by John Galliano dress with a corset so extremely cinched it drew gasps online.
Elle Fanning: Most Ice Princess!
Hovering above the shoulders of the actress’s Balmain gown were resin birds that appeared to be draping her in the dress’s sheer material.
Colman Domingo: Most Suave!
The actor told the E! host Ross Mathews that his breezy black-and-white formal wear by Willy Chavarria was partly an homage to former Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley, a Met Gala fixture who died in 2022.
Donatella Versace: Most ‘Challengers’!
On the arms of Jude Law and Andrew Scott, designer Donatella Versace was the picture of an enthralling woman caught between two men — a scenario that brought to mind the plot of the movie “Challengers.”
Steven Yeun: Most Prepared!
The actor accessorized his Thom Browne tuxedo with a gold-handled umbrella that made for a great prop while posing for photographers.
Lana Del Rey: Most Mosquito Net!
Branchlike protrusions on the singer’s Alexander McQueen gown held up beige netting that functioned not only as a veil, but also as protection from any mosquitoes that might have crashed the carpet.
Tyla: Most Granular!
Three kinds of sand were used to make the South African singer’s Balmain gown, which she accessorized with an hourglass.
Cole Escola: Most Modest Bride!
The actor’s Thom Browne ensemble of white veiled hat, skirt suit and loafers seemed as appropriate for a chapel as the Met Gala carpet.
Da'Vine Joy Randolph: Most Canadian Ballgown!
Instead of all-denim separates, a look known to many as a Canadian tuxedo, the actress wore a denim gown designed by Zac Posen of Gap, which brought an unusually laid-back attitude to the high-fashion gala.
Rebecca Ferguson: Most Dressed!
The actress arrived on the carpet swathed in a voluminous black Thom Browne cape that she quickly peeled off. Its underside was lined in blue and featured an avian motif that matched the design of her sparkly high-collar gown, also by Thom Browne.
Demi Moore: Most Curves!
A sculptural Harris Reed gown with exaggerated hips gave the actress plenty of curve appeal.
Taylor Russell: Most Buffed!
The actress’s Loewe gown featured a sculpted bodice that looked like a freshly waxed hardwood floor.
Sydney Sweeney: Most New ‘Do!
The actress swapped her blonde, wavy hair for a black bob that matched her leather evening gloves and the flower stems on her pale blue Miu Miu gown.
Zendaya: Most Redo!
After walking the carpet in her Margiela ensemble, the actress walked it again in a dramatic black Givenchy gown and a vibrant floral headpiece by Alexander McQueen, both of which were archival pieces.
This article originally appeared in
The New York Times.
