This was published 1 year ago
Fashion Christmas has come to an end, with Rihanna, Madonna and all the best-dressed celebrities tucked away in the Met or on their way to the after parties.
It’s time to further unpick the meanings behind the dresses, suits and Halle Berry’s unusual choice. See all the looks from the Met Gala 2024 red carpet here.
Until next year...
Love was in the air at the Met Gala, with these couples serving up some of the night’s most heartwarming moments.
If only Rihanna and ASAP Rocky – who are expecting their third child – had posed on the red carpet together!
There’s no denying that the Met Gala is all about the fashion. But each year, the prestigious event also repeatedly serves an array of headline-worthy celebrity moments. This year was no exception.
From babies to rumoured feuds, here are the five best non-fashion moments from tonight’s Met Gala.
In classic Rihanna fashion, she kept us waiting. She certainly rewarded us for our patience, though.
The singer arrived at the carpet sporting a baby bump, officially confirming that she and her partner A$AP Rocky are expecting their third baby. It brought us back to the Super Bowl in 2023 when she announced her second baby on-stage.
Look, most of us were really only concerned about whether Met Gala queen Rihanna would walk the carpet. But now that she has officially arrived, baby bump and all, let’s spare a moment for the celebrities who opted to skip fashion’s night of nights (or who perhaps didn’t receive the “Wintour approval”).
It’s little surprise that Blake Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds decided to stay home tonight. Though the couple were Met Gala co-chairs in 2022, they are presumably far too wrapped up in their legal battle against Lively’s It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni to get all frocked up.
A few “second halves” were noticeably missing, including Gigi Hadid’s Instagram-official boyfriend Bradley Cooper, and Kylie Jenner’s partner Timothée Chalamet. Justin Bieber was also a no-show despite his wife Hailey Bieber posing for photos. Someone had to stay home with the baby, I guess.
Pop royalty like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé also skipped the event, but that’s totally understandable – they’re both currently on tour, after all. Katy Perry is also on tour, but after all the trolling she has faced online since her notorious space flight, she probably wouldn’t have come regardless. That being said, an AI version of her did “stun” fans online...
A few Met Gala favourites were missing, including Jared Leto (remember him dressed as Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, or when he brought along a Leto mannequin head?) and fashion icon Lil Nas X.
And finally, no, US President Donald Trump did not show up, despite the rumours. Though former vice-president Kamala Harris did!
The Met Gala can only truly begin once its unofficial queen, Rihanna arrives. After skipping the gala last year, we thought for a minute she might not make it. But she’s here! Fashionably late, as has become her style (Anna Wintour, famously, waits for no one – except Rihanna of course).
The singer was spotted around New York City earlier tonight sporting what looked like a baby bump, and her long-term partner, A$AP Rocky, confirmed the news to AP.
“It feels amazing, you know,” Rocky said. “It’s time that we show the people what we was cooking up. And I’m glad everybody’s happy for us ’cause we definitely happy, you know.”
This will be the couple’s third child together.
Tonight, Rihanna bares her bump in a custom Marc Jacobs look, featuring a pinstripe fishtail skirt, cropped tuxedo jacket, corset, slouchy hat, pocket square and polka dot tie.
When it comes to fashion Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr has as much edge as a tennis ball so it’s not surprising that she stuck to her sweet and chic image for this year’s Met Gala.
This year’s theme might be Superfine: Tailoring Black Style but somehow the beauty entrepreneur seems to have interpreted that as Audrey Hepburn. In a strapless Dior gown with her hair piled high, Kerr is more Breakfast at Tiffany’s than Lady Sings The Blues.
The dinner suit references on the dress are overwhelmed by Kerr’s commitment to a polished appearance.
Fellow Australian supermodel Adut Akech was more willing to spread her style wings in a heavily embellished pink waistcoat dress, with a matching jacket finishing in a feather train. At Akech’s neck was a dramatic crystal neckpiece.
Akech gave birth to her first daughter Kiki in December, posing together on the recent cover of Pop magazine. She arrived at the Gala with fellow models Soo Joo Park and Alex Consani, along with former model and Swarovski creative director Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert. That explains the onslaught of Swarovski crystals.
Former vice president Kamala Harris has attended her first Met Gala, dressed in a custom monochrome gown designed by Off-White creative director IB Kamara.
Harris did not arrive at the red carpet or pose for pictures. However, she shared exclusive photos and quotes with Vogue.
“Art has always had a significant impact on not just culture, but also our policies and politics,” she said.
“Artistic expression – whether it’s dance, music, visual arts, or fashion – has a way of capturing the mood and language of the people without words. Art has the power to shape the conversation about where we are today and where we need to go.”
We’re all here to see the looks on the carpet, perhaps a celebrity interview or two. But, believe it or not, the Met Gala actually continues for those lucky enough to have snagged a highly coveted invite. So, where on earth do they all go now?
What happens inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art on gala day remains murky since no one is allowed to snap photos on their phones or post to social media while inside (though we all know that rule becomes a grey area in the museum’s bathrooms).
That being said, it’s largely reported that the invitees first walk through the special exhibition – in this case, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style – before making their way into the main room.
Once there, they presumably mingle with other guests while sipping on drinks, and find their carefully assigned seat (remember, everyone must sit in their Wintour-approved spot). A dinner follows, which is likely inspired by the theme of the evening. In 2023, Vogue previewed the dinner, which was inspired by one of Karl Lagerfeld’s most famous gatherings, Paloma Picasso’s wedding reception.
This is often accompanied by a live performance of some kind. In the past, they’ve had Cher, Madonna, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Lizzo. Last year, Wicked co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performed, finishing the night’s entertainment with When You Believe.
And, of course, it’s all capped off with the famous Met Gala after-parties. Brands, designers and celebrities often host their own festivities, with The Standard Hotel’s Boom Boom Room a common venue. This is yet another opportunity for A-listers to show off their wares, as many opt to change into something that’s perhaps a little more scandalous to party late into the night.
Amidst the sea of gigantic hats, monochrome suits and floor-length trains, you may have noticed another popular theme: slicked back curls.
Award-winning singer Dua Lipa and actors Quinta Brunson and Jenna Ortega have opted for slicked-down curls and sculpted face-framing waves. The hairstyle is a nod to American-born French singer and actor Josephine Baker, who was famous for her kiss curls.
Gigi Hadid’s custom Miu Miu gown and pinned curls were also inspired by Baker. The model’s gold dress pays homage to designer Zelda Wynn, who famously dressed Baker.
Rap icon and pioneering artist Lauryn Hill is here, looking utterly regal in a butter yellow suit and tulle wing to match that sweeps around her body, turning into a mermaid train. Styled with a halo of natural hair, statement gold jewellery and oversized sunglasses, Hill shines brighter than the sun.
She’s even got her own attendant, following her with a butter yellow parasol, leaving her hands-free to hold up a diamante-encrusted fan and turquoise Hermes Kelly Bag.