Met Gala 2024: The best and boldest red carpet looks, from Zendaya to Lana Del Rey
The first Monday in May heralds rising temperatures, whispers of summertime, the continued chokehold of Zendaya’s Challengers on the internet and – famously – the Met Gala and its infamous red carpet looks.
The annual event marks the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and sees the world’s biggest stars attempt, with various degrees of success, to out-slay each other in fashion’s biggest night.
Following 2023’s Karl Lagerfeld-inspired theme, 2024’s Gala saw the stars and starlets of today take to the green-and-white carpet following (or not following) the prompt of ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’.
Here are some of the best – and worst – looks from this year’s Met Gala, complete with a few distinct wows, some memorable flops and more men in suits.
Zendaya
Wearing custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano, inspired by Christian Dior haute couture spring 1999, the undisputed red carpet champ of the Met Gala 2024 was co-chair Zendaya.
Though she’s been turning looks for her Challengers press tour as well, this gives us a Disney princess’s older, cooler, c*ntier cousin. She also returned to the carpet later in a second look to let the girls have it not once, but twice. And for that, we thank her.
Rebecca Ferguson
In the nicest possible way, Rebecca Ferguson looks like she’s ready to lipsync for her life with a really obvious reveal. It’s giving the season ten finale from Drag Race, it’s giving Trinity the Tuck in that one look on All Stars 4, it’s giving sleeping bag.
But, when the reveal comes off, the custom Thom Browne gathered cape and high neck dress – embroidered with 60,000 blue and green swarovski crystal florets, no less – is a big slay.
Lana Del Rey
And if we said this looks like your bed sheets got blown into a particularly beautiful tree when you hung them up outside to dry, then what?
There’s hooves on the shoes, there’s a rose in hand, there’s a tunnel under ocean boulevard – but still, this Alexander McQueen fit is beautiful, even if it does look like Lana watched too many episodes of Yellowjackets and wanted to cosplay the Antler Queen.
Jonathan Bailey
Listen, we know it’s essentially a tuxedo (from Loro Piana), but we’ll make an exception for a few reasons: 1) it’s done so well, 2) Jonathan Bailey the man that you are, and 3) it fits the theme with the lapel handpainted Loewe flower, and the secret bud on the waistline of the trousers.
We could also make a joke about Jonathan Bailey’s secret flower. But we won’t. Because we’re classy.
Colman Domingo
One of the more touching looks on this year’s carpet, Euphoria‘s Colman Domingo explained to E! at the event that his suit and cape, designed by Willy Chavarria, was a tribute to late actor Chadwick Boseman and late Vogue editor-in-chief, André Leon Talley.
“They both wore capes when they were at the Met,” Colman said. “Everything I do, I feel like it’s gotta be for the culture. It’s gotta be more than just for me.”
Tens, tens, tens across the board – and for all male celebs, this is how you do a Met Gala look.
Cardi B
Look at the material! All of it! Cardi B’s mountain of tulle by emerging fashion label Windowsen ate, munched, devoured.
The train had to be carried by nine assistants, which really is how you know you’re that girl. On theme? Who cares! Love.
Lil Nas X
A big wow for Lil Nas X‘s Raul Lopez designed look. While it’s not covered in crystals wearing nothing but a thong, it is still covered in crystals, and again, we applaud the man for not wearing a boring suit and nothing else!
Cole Escola
Really strong ‘I’m a little lad’ vibes from New York-based actor and comedian Cole Escola in Thom Browne at this year’s Met.
The more we look, the more we love, but whether we can forgive those shoes is another matter. The doggy-bag is cute, though.
Doja Cat
Listen, the girls that get it just get it. Doja’s wet-look number by Vetements resembled a marble statue draped in fabric, and we’re ever so obsessed, actually.
Last year, Doja dressed as Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved kitty Choupette – so it’s not like anyone was expecting a ‘normal’ look from Ms. Cat. Still, didn’t think the phrase ‘wet t-shirt contest’ would ever apply to the Met Gala.
Troye Sivan
Troye Sivan – who shared a moment on this year’s carpet with Lil Nas X – wore Prada, featuring an open back blue shirt (unless it was open front and he was just wearing it the wrong way), as well as a tuxedo vest.
Does it look a little bit like a SWAT vest? Yes! Is it a serve regardless? Yes! Hotel? Trivago!
Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu’s Comme Des Garçons ensemble looks much like – and we say this as a positive – someone in art class wanted to design the c*ntiest looking Beefeater we’ve ever seen, but had to do it with all highlighters. If you don’t like this look, you hate fun!
Andrew Scott
Andrew Scott and Andrew Scott’s arms, I am free to go on a date whenever you want. Admittedly, it’s pretty simple for the Met – but the All of Us Strangers stars Versace lewk really does give you two tickets to the gun show.
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