The Met Gala, fondly regarded as the Oscars of the fashion world, saw a strong presence from Irish figures this year. It instructed attendees to abide by “The Garden of Time” dress code, demonstrated in the elegantly decorated carpet, its off-white hue interspersed with green foliage. On it, homebred talent and floral and botanical themes made a prolific appearance.
Among the noteworthy moments of the gala was when Sean McGirr, the newly appointed Irish creative director for Alexander McQueen, attended the event dressing singer Lana Del Ray in an earthy beige tulle outfit adorned with root embroidery. Andrew Scott, the actor, was also in attendance, accompanied by Donatella Versace and Jude Law, a co-actor from Mr Ripley. Barry Keoghan graced the event once more in a Burberry outfit, donned in an olive velvet suit, silk ruffled shirt and top hat, exuding a contemporary Victorian vibe.
Loewe, a brand led by Irish Designer JW Anderson and one of the gala’s sponsors, flaunted their creations all over the red carpet. The Vogue editor and event host, Anna Wintour, was one of the first to arrive. She arrived wearing a Loewe-designed cape, inspired by a dress on display. Another from Loewe’s design collection was worn by Alison Oliver, the Irish actor from Saltburn, who sported an oversized sequin suit accompanied by a vintage fabric train. Jamie Dornan also opted for Loewe, wearing a morning suit.
Floral designs have always been prominent in Richard Quinn’s, the London-Irish designer’s, work. It was fitting, therefore, to witness his designs on the nature-themed red carpet, with Sarah Jessica Parker sporting a subtle, floral lace decorated dress by Quinn, topped off with a hat by Philip Treacy.
Set at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the eye-catching event is organised annually to honour the museum’s latest exhibition, using its theme to inspire the dress code. It’s standard for participants to don flamboyant outfits, or even archival attire, to make a statement or stir up viral incidents as they either embrace the theme or diverge from it.
The current-year exhibition, known as “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” does more than flaunt haute couture. It serves as a voyage back in time, portraying not Disney princesses but a collection of 250 exceptional and cherished fashion pieces from over four centuries. High-end labels such as Dior, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, and Schiaparelli are showcased. Many of the exquisite pieces on exhibit are too delicate to be donned again and are displayed in a horizontal position as though at rest. The showcase is broken down into three primary sections – Land, Sea, and Sky – paying tribute to the natural world.
Ball-goers were invited to seek inspiration from nature, interpreting the official dress code dubbed “The Garden of Time,” which draws upon a JG Ballard short story from 1962. Right from the get-go, the theme was brought to life on the red carpet via a plethora of distinctive floral interpretations. The prominence of roses and rosettes in current fashion trends, particularly for spring/summer, paired with a growing prospective for red carpet attire, made it clear that many attendees would be adorned in outfits bearing playful and vibrant floral motifs. Styles varied drastically. Greta Lee donned a Loewe shield dress featuring Chantilly lace and 3-dimensional flowers, while Ayo Edebiri graced her first-ever Met Gala in a Loewe halter-neck gown embellished with floral lace. Riley Keough sported a Chanel ensemble comprising a ruffled skirt and a floral sequin top, and Cynthia Erivo flaunted a Thom Browne suit adorned with petal embellishments. Meanwhile, Gigi Hadid channeled classic Hollywood allure in a Thom Browne gown with a corseted, off-the-shoulder design enhanced with floral appliqué.
At this year’s Met Gala, corsets garnered the limelight, featuring as a key component in numerous ensembles. The sculpted piece delivered on the dress code as a bold centrepiece or as a quiet complement. Kim Kardashian chose a Margiela custom-made corset skirt adorned with flowers, paired with a cardigan. Ariana Grande, on the other hand, donned a mother-of-pearl corset and a pleated skirted gown courtesy of Loewe. Kylie Jenner exuded understated elegance in a subdued nude tea-length Oscar de la Renta frock. Pamela Anderson exhibited a similar subdued appearance in a corseted nude Oscar de la Renta, while Glamour’s Irish editor-in-chief Samantha Barry opted for a silver-grey corseted dress with cage detailing.
Beyond just flora, other attendees adopted a more expansive interpretation of the theme, drawing upon different elements from nature. Jessica Biel stood out in a vibrant pink feathered gown that sported a dramatic train, a Met Gala staple. Uma Thurman wore a Tory Burch blue dress adorned with butterfly trims while Taylor Russell rocked a wooden bodice and side-split skirt by Loewe.
Many celebrities presented a gloomy interpretation of the theme, invoking elements of dark romance. They utilised Victorian-era staples – lace, sheer, and velvet – to mimic the era’s aesthetic. Ashley Graham appeared in a Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown filled with Swarovski crystal flowers, while Youtuber Emma Chamberlain wore a mocha-toned lace custom dress by Jean Paul Gaultier. Singer Rosalía struck a balance with a Dior black tulip-inspired dress and black mesh veil.
There was a significant representation of vintage styles that resonate with fashion enthusiasts due to their timeless appeal and sustainability factor. This trend plays into the current nostalgia that has been dominating the red carpet. Considering the Met Gala’s theme this year of spotlighting treasures from the past and emphasising sustainability and conservation, a vintage approach was anticipated from the attendees.
Zendaya, frequently noted for her timeless fashion choices, stunned in a one-shoulder Christian Dior dress from the Spring 1999 couture collection during her Dune press tour. Nina Ricci’s creative director, Harris Reed, ingeniously reimagined old wallpaper into a thorny gown for Demi Moore. On another note, Kendall Jenner wore an Alexander McQueen gown for Givenchy from 1999.
Charli XCX creatively used vintage T-shirts from the 1950s-70s to design a Marni dress. In a similar vein, A-list celebrities, like Nicole Kidman, chose to evoke nostalgic fashion. Kidman sported a remastered Balenciaga dress from the 1950s. She also mentioned in a Vogue live interview that she took inspiration from a Richard Avedon photo and asked Balenciaga’s creative director, Demna, to bring the image to life.
At every Met Gala, certain celebrities choose the comfort of their established fashion staples. Jennifer Lopez, for instance, opted for a sparkly sheer dress that was unmistakably ‘her’. Lily James, Sydney Sweeney, and Lea Michele exuded princess vibes in their dainty floral pastel gowns. Sienna Miller, known for her boho fashion, wore a relaxed yet stylish Chloe white lace dress with high-low frilling.
The Met Gala has been the longstanding stomping ground for illusion dresses since Cher graced the event in the 1970s in a Bob Mackie gown. Keeping with this tradition, Emily Ratajkowski donned a sequined, netted frock. Kylie Minogue wore a Diesel tromp l’oeil beaded outfit. Balmain created a body-cast dress made of sand for singer Tyla, who accessorised with a glass egg timer clutch. They also designed a water-inspired sheer gown for Elle Fanning adorned with floral shoulder detailing. Parallely pushing boundaries was Doja Cat in a Vetments’ gown, styled to look like a soaking wet outfit, mascara running down her face included. Camila Cabello, not to be outdone, carried a clutch encased in ice with a copper rose within.
The Met Gala is not the venue for a customary dinner suit; on the contrary, they’re outnumbered by adventurous formal attire. Event co-chair Bad Bunny led the trend parade, wearing a navy tuxedo crafted by Maison Margiela, ornamented with a fabric flower on the lapel. Steven Yeun wore a Thom Browne suit, embellished with a floral design. Ben Simmons also favoured Browne’s couture, selecting a tux adorned with tweed and punctuated with a clock, epitomising the theme’s time element. Colman Domingo’s elegant tux was accompanied by a cape and overstated lapels. Josh O’Connor, star of Challengers, tailcoat flowed behind him, which he paired with whimsical floral clogs.