The Met Gala takes place annually on the first Monday of May. It dates back to 1948 and has evolved over the years into one of fashion's biggest nights. The event is a fundraiser that benefits the museum’s Costume Institute and has a corresponding exhibit displaying some of the collection's gems.
The 2024 theme was “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” with a dress code of “The Garden of Time.” The guest list is so exclusive that you have to be invited to attend. Under Vogue editor Anna Wintour’s reign, this event has attracted everyone from Princess Diana to Taylor Swift. Here are seven of 2024’s most bizarre and outlandish looks.
Gwendoline Christie
Gwendoline Christie rocked a custom Maison Margiela ensemble. The gown was made of red velvet and was accentuated by a sheer black silk tulle opera coat. Her updo was dramatic and fluffy to say the least. The Game of Thrones actress also walked John Galliano’s Maison Margiela Paris Fashion Week show in the beginning of 2024, so she is so stranger to fashion. She was the grand finale.
Michael Shannon
Michael Shannon looked dapper in a Balenciaga suit. The weird part of his ensemble was his accessory. He paired his suit with an $1,850 potato chip bag, also by Balenciaga. One is left wondering if it came with snacks.
Olivier Rousteing
Olivier Rousteing is a French fashion designer and the creative director at Balmain. His spin on “The Garden of Time” involved a sand mold of his face. He wore it like a dress shirt under a black jacket. We will have another version of this later on the list.
Rita Ora
Rita Ora donned a “nude” dress by Marni. She wasn’t actually naked but made it appear so with a bodysuit. The design of the dress was made to accentuate the illusion.
Tyla
Remember Olivier’s sand? Here’s another variation. Tyla, a South African singer and songwriter, wore a whole gown made up of it. The floor-length ensemble was skintight and also designed by Balmain. Tyla had to be carried up the stairs because it was hard to walk in. After the red carpet, Olivier made the dress shorter so she could be more mobile.
Doja Cat
Doja cat is no stranger to weird Met Gala looks. In 2023, she dressed up as Karl Lagerfeld's beloved cat Choupette. In 2024, she wore what appeared to be an oversized wet T-shirt designed by Vetements. Her makeup made it appear as if she had been crying.
There was a method behind her madness as she explained to Entertainment Tonight. "I know that people are going to do flowers, but my flower of choice is the most-used flower. And it's cotton," she stated. "I wanted to do a white T-shirt, also because a white T-shirt is timeless. And it felt very poetic to choose this. I knew it wasn't going to blend in too much, and I don't really like to blend in."
Lizzo
Lizzo’s look by Victor Weinsanto was nicknamed the “Vase Dress” by the designer. Its basic structure was a mesh full-body corset dyed to match the singer’s skin color. Flower details had a dual purpose: They helped cover up private areas of the body and added a pop of color.
