Met Gala 2024: dresses made out of sand, corsets and power poses – in pictures

The theme was JG Ballard’s 1962 short story, The Garden of Time, which meant references to decay, lots of florals and more than one look that seemed to have nothing to do with anything

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Main image: Zendaya in a 1996 Givenchy by John Galliano gown. Photograph: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images

  • Vogue editor-in-chief and powerhouse behind the Met Gala since 1995, Anna Wintour arrived promptly and very much on-the-nose, theme-wise, in a velvet coat from Loewe decorated with tulips – creative director Jonathan Anderson is an honourary chair.
    Vogue editor-in-chief and powerhouse behind the Met Gala since 1995, Anna Wintour arrived promptly and very much on-the-nose, theme-wise, in a velvet coat from Loewe decorated with tulips – creative director Jonathan Anderson is an honourary chair.

  • Co-chair Jennifer Lopez looked like a regal jellyfish in custom Schiaparelli.
    Co-chair Jennifer Lopez looked like a regal jellyfish in custom Schiaparelli

  • Hairspray and a power pose … Gwendoline Christie wore a velvet gown and sheer tulle cape by John Galliano for Maison Margiela.
    Hairspray and a power pose … Gwendoline Christie wore a velvet gown and sheer tulle cape by John Galliano for Maison Margiela.

  • Another co-chair, Chris Hemsworth, is once known to have worn flip-flops on the red carpet. This all cream Tom Ford suit was a step up as he posed alongside his wife, Elsa Pataky.
    Another co-chair, Chris Hemsworth, is once known to have worn flip-flops on the red carpet. This all cream Tom Ford suit was a step up as he posed alongside his wife, Elsa Pataky.

  • Model Ashley Graham went for black ties, of sorts, in this corseted work by the young designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin. Darkly floral with a directional fringe.
    Model Ashley Graham went for black ties, of sorts, in this corseted work by the young designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin. Darkly floral with a directional fringe.

  • Emma Chamberlain wore Jean Paul Gaultier in a look that she described as putting a ‘dark twist on the theme; the underbelly of nature.’
    Emma Chamberlain wore Jean Paul Gaultier in a look that she described as putting a ‘dark twist on the theme; the underbelly of nature.’

  • If boho-chic now comes Met Gala-approved, the fields and tents this festival season are going to be home to more than their fair share of noughties-inspired looks. Here Sienna Miller, Greta Gerwig, Emma Mackey and Zoe Saldana, pose with the designer behind the resurgence, Chloé’s Chemena Kamali.
    If boho-chic now comes Met Gala-approved, the fields this festival season are going to be home to more than their fair share of noughties-inspired fashions. Here we see Sienna Miller, Greta Gerwig, Emma Mackey and Zoe Saldana, posing with the designer to thank or blame for the resurgence of the vibe, Chloé’s Chemena Kamali.

  • Colman Domingo has been doing brilliant things for the brooch on the red carpet recently. Here he is doing good things for the corsage, thanks to this Willy Chavarria design. On the red carpet, Domingo namechecked the late André Leon Talley as an inspiration behind the look.
    Colman Domingo has been doing brilliant things for the brooch in menswear on the red carpet recently. Here he is doing good things for the corsage, thanks to this Willy Chavarria design.

  • The first of Zendaya’s looks, this Maison Margiela gown by John Galliano found its dramatic match in the actor’s beauty look of thin eyebrows and plum lipstick.
    The first of Zendaya’s looks, this Maison Margiela gown by John Galliano found its dramatic match in the thin eyebrows and plum lipstick.

  • Gaurav Gupta is to thank for this voluminous gown worn by Mindy Kaling that looks pleasingly geological.
    Gaurav Gupta is to thank for this voluminous gown worn by Mindy Kaling that looks pleasingly geological.

  • Never one to miss an opportunity to wear a good suit, Donald Glover went for a dusky pink Saint Laurent design.
    Never one to miss an opportunity to wear a good suit, Donald Glover went for a dusky pink Saint Laurent design.

  • No chef whites in sight, 3D flowers added texture to this Loewe look on The Bear star Ayo Edebiri.
    No chef whites in sight, 3D flowers added texture to this Loewe look on The Bear star Ayo Edebiri.

  • Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing designed this time-inspired sand gown for singer Tyla. The hourglass in lieu of a handbag was a pleasingly extra detail.
    Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing designed this time-inspired sand gown for singer Tyla. The hourglass in lieu of a handbag was a pleasingly extra detail.

  • The brooches, the white gloves, the double sunglasses. Jeff Goldblum goes hard on the accessories – hopefully his keys are amongst them so he can go home at the end of the night.
    The brooches, the white gloves, the double sunglasses. Jeff Goldblum goes hard on the accessories - hopefully his keys are amongst them so he can go home at the end of the night.

  • Rita Ora’s Marni dress was, according to Ora, made using beads collected from Europe and Northern Africa during the 1st century BC. Her husband, the film director Taika Waititi, looked like he could have borrowed his trousers from Theresa May’s Vogue shoot.
    Rita Ora Marni dress was, according to Ora, made using beads collected from Europe and Northern Africa during the 1st century BC. Her husband, the film director Taika Waititi, looked like he could have borrowed his trousers from Theresa May’s Vogue shoot.

  • Kylie Minogue in Diesel is just one of a number of takes on the naked dress. ‘It’s meant to look as though she’s been sleeping in this dress for hundreds of years,’ designer Glenn Martens told Vogue.
    Kylie Minogue in Diesel is just one of a number of takes on the naked dress. ‘It’s meant to look as though she’s been sleeping in this dress for hundreds of years,’ designer Glenn Martens told Vogue.

  • Frankenstein fashion ever looked so cohesive as on Penélope Cruz, who wore a Chanel dress crafted using parts of dresses from the ’40s and ’50s, alongside a recent Virginie Viard design.
    Frankenstein fashion ever looked so cohesive as on Penélope Cruz, who wore a Chanel dress crafted using parts of dresses from the ’40s and ’50s, alongside a recent Virginie Viard design.

  • This Thom Browne design took over 13,000 hours and 70 people to make it. No wonder Gigi Hadid needed the help of five people to carry it up the Met steps.
    This Thom Browne design took over 13,000 hours and 70 people to make it. No wonder Gigi Hadid needed the help of five people to carry it up the Met steps.

  • Another year, another take on the naked dress, this time from model and writer Emily Ratajkowski.
    Another year, another take on the naked dress, this time from model and writer Emily Ratajkowski.

  • Lil Nas X in a design by Raul Lopez of Luar looked surprisingly understated despite the 50,000 Swarovski crystals embellishing the outfit.
    Lil Nas X in a design by Raul Lopez of Luar looked surprisingly understated despite the 50,000 Swarovski crystals embellishing the outfit.

  • Kim Kardashian in this ‘armoured lace’ look from John Galliano for Maison Margiela added fuel to the idea that hard/soft is the new high/low in fashion.
    Kim Kardashian in this ‘armoured lace’ look from John Galliano for Maison Margiela added fuel to the idea that hard/soft is the new high/low in fashion

  • If the red carpet was one person’s take on a Pre-Raphaelite forest at dusk, Donatella Versace was the soft forest floor. She was flanked by Andrew Scott and Jude Law, with their polar opposite takes on men’s red carpet fashion.
    If the red carpet was one designer’s take on a Pre-Raphaelite forest at dusk, Donatella Versace, was the soft forest floor. She was flanked by Andrew Scott and Jude Law, with their polar opposite takes on men’s red carpet fashion.

  • Lana Del Rey in a creation by new Alexander McQueen creative director Seán McGirr. McGirr said he based it on a look from McQueen’s 2006 The Widows of Culloden collection.
    Lana Del Rey attends The 2024 Met Gala C

  • Rebecca Hall (left), dressed in Danielle Frankel, with Madelyn Cline wearing Tommy Hilfiger.
    Rebecca Hall (left), dressed in Danielle Frankel, with Madelyn Cline wearing Tommy Hilfiger.

  • Kendall Jenner in a Givenchy couture number from 1999. She is the first-ever person to wear it, and though the house didn’t permit any tailoring to the dress, it fit perfectly.
    Kendall Jenner in a Givenchy couture number from 1999. She is the first-ever person to wear it, and though the house didn’t permit any tailoring to the dress, it fit perfectly.

  • Rachel Zegler in a very Disney princess Dior dress.
    Rachel Zegler attends The 2024 Met Gala

  • Meg Ryan and fashion designer Michael Kors.
    Meg Ryan and fashion designer Michael Kors.

  • Kylie Jenner in a Oscar de la Renta dress.
    Kylie Jenner in a Oscar de la Renta dress.

  • Model Cara Delevingne in a Stella McCartney chainmail hoodie.
    Cara Delevingne poses at the Met Gala

  • Doja Cat and an extremely extra wet t-shirt look by Swiss fashion house Vetements.
    Doja Cat brings something extra to the wet t-shirt look

  • Dua Lipa in custom Marc Jacobs.
    Dua Lipa attends The 2024 Met Gala

  • Elizabeth Debicki looks golden in Dior.
    Elizabeth Debicki.

  • Naomi Campbell in an aqua sequin Burberry dress.
    Naomi Campbell attends The 2024 Met Gala

  • Shakira wearing Carolina Herrera.
    Shakira wearing Carolina Herrera.

  • Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban. Kidman’s gown is from Balenciaga haute couture. Its creative director Demna has reinterpreted a 1951 version from the house. Kidman says she considers it “a sleeping beauty that has been brought back to life” and that she “has kissed it awake”.
    Nicole Kidman, left, and Keith Urban attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute

  • Tennis player Serena Williams in custom-made Balenciaga couture.
    Tennis player Serena Williams.

  • Lizzo in a sculptural look by Paris-based label Weinsanto.
    Lizzo attends The 2024 Met Gala

  • Cardi B basically shut down the Met carpet in Windowsen couture - literally, with more than 10 assistants helping her fan out her gigantic gown and blocking the way for everyone.
    Cardi B attends The 2024 Met Gala

  • Janelle Monáe in a custom Vera Wang gown, which featured handmade flowers made from recycled plastic bottles.
    Janelle Monáe attends The 2024 Met Gala

  • Sydney Sweeney swapped her usual blonde for a black bob, and wore a tulle Miu Miu gown.
    US actress Sydney Sweeney arrives for the 2024 Met Gala

  • Zendaya’s second look of the night: a 1996 Givenchy by John Galliano gown, with a headpiece from Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen 2007.
    Zendaya attends The 2024 Met Gala
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