Met Gala 2024 Guide: Theme, dress code, how to watch and all you need to know about annual celebration

Met Gala 2024 Guide: Theme, dress code, how to watch and all you need to know about annual celebration
Rihana wearing a yellow fur cape for the 2018 Met Gala (Instagram/@themetgalaofficial)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: As the anticipation builds for the 2024 Met Gala, fashion enthusiasts and celebrities alike are gearing up for one of the most prestigious events of the industry calendar. Meanwhile, the theme, hosts, and dress code for the mega event have been unveiled.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's Gala.

When will the Met Gala 2024 take place?

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 30: Anna Wintour is pictured during her speech at the The Met Costume Inst
Anna Wintour has been a crucial part of the Gala for decades (Getty Images)

The Met Gala 2024 is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 6, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. 

Met Gala 2024 theme

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Kim Kardashian attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating
Kim Kardashian at Met Gala 2022 (Getty Images)

The Met Gala 2024 theme is 'The Garden of Time', inspired by the Costume Institute's new exhibition titled 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion'. This exhibition will showcase approximately 250 rare items from the Costume Institute's permanent collection, spanning over 400 years of fashion history. Designs by iconic fashion houses such as Schiaparelli, Dior, and Givenchy will be featured, alongside garments too fragile to be worn again, presented through innovative mediums like video animation, light projection, AI, CGI, and more.

Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute, explained that the exhibition will be organized around three main "zones"—Land, Sea, and Sky—that pay homage to the natural world. Describing it as "an ode to nature and the emotional poetics of fashion," Bolton highlighted the thematic elements that will shape this year's Met Gala and exhibition.

Here's how you can watch (or rewatch) the Met Gala 2024

 Doja Cat attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating
Doja Cat's feline outfit created waves at the 2023 Met Gala (John Shearer/WireImage)

To watch or rewatch the Met Gala 2024, viewers can tune in to the live stream of the red carpet arrivals on Vogue.com, as well as across Vogue's digital platforms. Hosting the red carpet coverage in 2024 will be actor Gwendoline Christie, producer and actor La La Anthony, and model Ashley Graham. Additionally, Emma Chamberlain will make a return as Vogue's special correspondent, conducting interviews with some of the biggest stars attending the gala.

Who's hosting?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Zendaya attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at
Zendaya at the Met Gala 2019, titled 'Camp: Notes on Fashion' (Getty Images)

The hosts for the 2024 Met Gala are Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth. This esteemed group follows in the footsteps of last year's hosts, including Penelope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa, and Vogue's Anna Wintour. Anna Wintour has been at the helm of the Met Gala since 1995, playing a pivotal role in shaping it into the beloved annual celebration of fashion that it is today.

Dress Code: 'The Garden of Time'

The dress code for the 2024 Met Gala is 'The Garden of Time'. This theme, inspired by JG Ballard's 1962 short story, offers a wide range of interpretations. Expect to see a plethora of floral and botanical-inspired looks gracing the renowned Met Gala red carpet as attendees explore various creative expressions of this theme.

Met Gala 2024 venue

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: 2022 Met Gala Co-Chair Blake Lively attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrati
Blake Lively has made consistent appearances at the Met Gala over the years (Getty Images)

No surprises here, as the prestigious event is set to take place at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. While traditionally held on the first Monday in May each year, the 2021 event was an exception, occurring in September due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year, however, the gala returns to its usual schedule, promising a glamorous affair on the first Monday in May. Guests attending the Met Gala often opt to stay in hotels located near The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Met Gala guest list

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Gigi Hadid attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Le
Gigi Hadid stunned in her Prada outfit at Met Gala 2021 (Getty Images)

The Met Gala, renowned for its exclusivity and star-studded attendance, keeps its guest list tightly guarded until the evening before the event. Despite the secrecy, it's no secret that some of the biggest names in entertainment, fashion, and culture regularly grace the red carpet. Celebrities like Beyonce, Gigi Hadid, Madonna, and Rihanna are among the elite attendees who have become synonymous with the event. 

In addition to celebrities, renowned fashion designers also receive coveted invitations to the Met Gala. Often, they attend alongside their muses, creating iconic pairings that captivate onlookers.

Who gets to attend the Met Gala?

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 07:  Blake Lively attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination
 Long-time attendee Blake Lively donned a show-stopping Versace dress in 2018 (Getty Images)

The Met Gala, often hailed as fashion's biggest night, draws a diverse crowd of approximately 450 attendees each year. From established stars to emerging talents and industry luminaries, the event brings together a melting pot of creativity and influence.

Stars from various fields, including film, music, fashion, and art, converge at the Gala, showcasing their individual styles and making bold fashion statements on the red carpet. From A-list celebrities to rising stars, the event provides a platform for talent to shine and express themselves through their attire.

Over the years, the event has played host to some of the most iconic figures in entertainment and fashion. Long-time attendees like Blake Lively, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Rihanna have graced the red carpet with their memorable looks, cementing their status as Met Gala legends.

Share this article:  Met Gala 2024 Guide: Theme, dress code, how to watch and all you need to know about annual celebration