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Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.

By Maria Bregman

The Met Gala 2024 is set to be one of the most anticipated and spectacular events in the fashion calendar. The annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute will celebrate the theme of Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, showcasing the beauty and history of fashion that has been preserved but never worn. From the date and location to the hosts and dress code, here is everything you need to know about the Met Gala 2024.

When and where is the Met Gala 2024?

The Met Gala 2024 will take place on Monday, May 6, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The event has been held on the first Monday in May every year since 2005, except for 2020, when it was cancelled due to the pandemic, and 2021, when it was postponed to September. The Met Gala is widely regarded as the most glamorous and exclusive night in fashion, attracting celebrities, designers, models, and influencers from around the world.

What is the theme of the Met Gala 2024?

The theme of the Met Gala 2024 is Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, inspired by a short story by J.G. Ballard. The exhibition will feature around 50 exquisite and historically significant pieces from the Costume Institute’s collection, dating from the 17th century to the present day, that are too fragile to ever be worn again. These “sleeping beauties” will be brought to life through cutting-edge technology and sensory stimulation, such as illusion, animation, projection, sound, and scent. The exhibition will explore the emotional and artistic value of fashion, as well as the challenges and opportunities of conservation and restoration. 

Who are the hosts of the Met Gala 2024?

The hosts of the Met Gala 2024 are Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Hemsworth, Bad Bunny, and Vogue’s Anna Wintour, who have been announced as the official co-chairs of the event. Zendaya is a Hollywood star and fashion icon, who has dazzled on the Met Gala red carpet with her stunning and transformative looks, such as her Cinderella-inspired gown in 2019 and her futuristic leather dress in 2023. Jennifer Lopez is a global superstar and style legend, who has been a regular attendee of the Met Gala since 2004, and has wowed with her glamorous and daring outfits, such as her sheer Versace dress in 2015 and her feathered Ralph Lauren cape in 2021. Chris Hemsworth is a leading actor and producer, best known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, who has also shown his flair for fashion with his elegant and sophisticated suits, such as his black velvet tuxedo in 2019 and his navy blue blazer in 2021. Bad Bunny is a Grammy-winning singer and rapper, who has risen to fame with his catchy and innovative music, and has also impressed with his bold and eclectic style, such as his pearl necklace in 2019 and his silver mask in 2021. Anna Wintour is the editor-in-chief of Vogue and the artistic director of Condé Nast, who has been the driving force behind the Met Gala since 1995, and has transformed it into a cultural phenomenon and a platform for creativity and expression.

What is the dress code for the Met Gala 2024?

The dress code for the Met Gala 2024 is “The Garden in Time”, inspired by the title of Ballard’s short story. The guests are expected to dress in accordance with the theme, and to showcase their imagination and originality. The dress code also reflects the exhibition’s focus on the preservation and revival of fashion, as well as the connection between fashion and nature. The guests may choose to wear vintage or archival pieces, or to create new designs that incorporate elements of the past and the future, such as fabrics, patterns, shapes, and embellishments. The guests may also opt for sustainable and ethical fashion, or to use accessories and details that evoke the garden motif, such as flowers, leaves, butterflies, and birds. 

Why is the Met Gala important?

The Met Gala is important because it is not only a celebration of fashion, but also a fundraiser for the Costume Institute, which is the only department of the Met that has to fund itself. The Met Gala raises millions of dollars every year for the institute, which allows it to curate and display some of the most remarkable and influential exhibitions in the world, such as Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in 2011, China: Through the Looking Glass in 2015, and Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination in 2018. The Met Gala also showcases the artistry and diversity of fashion, and how it reflects and shapes culture, society, and identity. The Met Gala also provides a platform for the guests to express themselves and their creativity, and to inspire and be inspired by others. 

The Met Gala 2024 is set to be a memorable and magical event, that will honour the beauty and history of fashion, and reawaken the sleeping beauties of the Costume Institute. It will also be a night of glamour and fun, where the guests will dazzle with their outfits and personalities, and where fashion lovers around the world will be able to watch and enjoy the spectacle.