The next Met Gala could be one for the books.
On Wednesday, Vogue revealed that the May 2024 event will be themed “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”
According to the publication, that means the red carpet and adjacent museum exhibit will honor “masterpieces of fashion,” technology, and “the multi-sensory facets of a garment.”
But what can we actually expect to see, and what might celebrities wear?
Here’s what three celebrity stylists had to say when asked by Insider.
What does the 2024 Met Gala theme mean?
Celebrity and brand stylist Gabriela Langone told Insider that she sees the upcoming Met Gala as “a full circle of fashion” that will honor historical garments by sustainably giving them new life.
“It’s bringing back these archived pieces, taking them apart, showcasing them, and showing them to the world in a sensory way,” she said. “I imagine an old couture Dior coming out and being unstitched and unraveled, and the smell of that old fabric.”
Yael Quint, a stylist who works with stars like Chloe Fineman and AnnaSophia Robb, told Insider that she got “chills'” when she read about the upcoming theme and exhibit.
“The curators are opening up these amazing pieces that have been asleep in a way and awakening them with all this new technology,” she said. “They’re adding AI and awakening our senses, so that’s going to be so special.”
Vogue reported that especially fragile gowns set to be featured in the upcoming Costume Institute gallery will be highlighted via “video animation, light projection, soundscaping, AI, CGI, and other forms of sensory stimulation.”
And because the red-carpet portion of the Met Gala often mirrors the inside exhibit, we can expect at least a few attendees to use technology in similar ways.
Picture celebrities wearing vintage pieces — and maybe sleeping bags
Yasi Guiliani, a stylist who works with Tinashe and has previously styled Cher and Christina Aguilera, said she won’t be surprised if some stars take the theme at face value.
“When I first saw the theme, I thought some people would take that seriously and dress up as Sleeping Beauty or as a princess,” Guiliani said. “And then there are the people like Jared Leto, Doja Cat, and Katy Perry who might take it literally and show up in a sleeping bag.”
But she also anticipates that celebrities and stylists will reimagine classic designs, including outfits once worn by icons like Marilyn Monroe, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Cher.
“I think a lot of people are going to reimagine those silhouettes, those styles, and those moments as what fashion is today,” she said.
Langone envisions the same, with some celebrities also wearing rarely-seen pieces in a sustainable way.
“We might see designers’ past collections come out — archives from years and years ago that we haven’t seen ever,” she said. “And we might see fashion that’s been already worn, but maybe it’s reupholstered or taken apart and put back together some way. I would love to see a designer do that.”
As for Quint, she’s expecting stylists to find “the most delicate archival piece” and “maybe working on it to a point where it’s wearable.”
But she also envisions a lot of custom, nature-inspired ensembles that are enhanced by technology.
“The designer Cameron Hughes, I feel like he’s going to be hit up a lot to take something like flowers, the sea, land, air, that kind of stuff, and make it move,” she said. “This is an opportunity for people to use technology and give life to these beautiful pieces.”
Of course, the Met Gala is unpredictable.
In the past, we’ve seen stars arrive fashionably late, make red-carpet outfit changes, and even carry a model of their own head on one occasion.
But one thing is certain — stylists and fashion lovers are on board with the upcoming theme.
“I work with a ton of amazing archivists and vintage collectors who are taking care — and are mini museums in a way — of these pieces that you can’t find anymore,” Quint said. “I’ve spoken to some of them, and they’re so excited about this theme.”
“There’s just such an appreciation for this beautiful art that hasn’t gotten its moment,” she continued. “The Met is giving these super delicate, beautiful creations that designers have worked so hard on this extra bit of life. And it’s just a dream for us.”
Source : Insider
