▶ Follow AP’s live coverage of the 2024 Met Gala here.
NEW YORK (AP) — It is Met Gala time and the fashion show of A-listers included a whirlwind of flora and fauna looks on a green carpet surrounded by crowds. Jennifer Lopez went for silver leaf in a second skin goddess dress and Zendaya was all vampire and fantasy.
Both are co-chairs of the annual fundraiser at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And both received cheers from the crowd of fashion enthusiasts packed behind the barriers outside.
Flowers were everywhere, in line with this year’s theme: “The Garden of Time.” Lopez was all va-va-voom in a barely-there dress that hugged like a second skin. The Meta Gala has arrived: it is its 14th. Zendaya styled her face in shades of blue and green, with a matching head piece and leaf accents.
Lopez went with Tiffany & Co. diamonds, including a stunning bird motif necklace with a diamond of more than 20 carats in its center.
Gala mastermind Anna Wintour wore a black coat adorned with multicolored flowers. Fellow co-chairman Bad Bunny wore all black.
A pregnant Lea Michele wore Rodarte, inspired by the brand’s spring/summer 2012 collection.
“I’m honored to be here and to bring my baby with me,” Michele said. “I don’t think I’m allowed a plus one, but I’m bringing one,” he said with a laugh. “I’m so grateful.” I feel really beautiful, you know, in this pregnancy.”
Looking to follow? Here is a quick primer on what you need to know about the A-list celebrity palooza from film, fashion, music, sports, politics and social media.
HOW TO WATCH THE MET GALA
It is difficult. Vogue has the exclusive livestream, which starts at 6 pm Eastern at Vogue.com. The feed will also be available on Vogue’s digital platforms, including TikTok and YouTube.
Tons of other media will also be on site. Catch the action on E!, also starting at 6 p.m., with livestreams on X, TikTok, Instagram and Peacock.
The Associated Press will be live outside the Mark Hotel, where several celebrities are getting ready before heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for their walk down the grand staircase. This livestream will begin at 4:45 pm Eastern and will be available on Youtube and APNews.com.
Only the event’s stacked red carpet is visible — the cocktail hour and gala dinner are notoriously private events.
WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE MET GALA?
It’s a party, of course, with cocktails and dinner for about 400 invited guests, but it’s also a big fundraiser for the Met’s Costume Institute, the only department in the museum required to pay for itself. Last year, the gala raised about $22 million. Anna Wintour, a Met trustee for whom part of the institute has been renamed, organizes the whole shebang. No phones are allowed, adding to the allure.
WHAT IS THIS YEAR’S MET GALA THEME?
There is a dress code every year related to the museum’s spring exhibition. Some guests, not all, stepped up at Wintour’s request. This year’s theme is inspired by JG Ballard’s 1962 short story of the same name. That’s a squishy fashion question considering how specific last year’s theme was: all things Karl Lagerfeld. Flowers, and more flowers, are expected this time. Vintage will probably be big too.
WHAT IS THE MUSEUM’S EXHIBITION THIS YEAR? ?
It is called “Sleeping Beauties: Fashion Awakened.” But we are not talking about fairy tales or Disney princesses. It includes 250 items from the Costume Institute’s permanent collection, including some dresses rarely seen in public and so fragile they need to be under glass. The curators wanted engage all the senses, including the smell. They worked with a “smell artist”. And there is a dress that really grows. Part of the idea is to pay tribute to the natural world. The exhibition opens to the public on Friday and runs until September 2.
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Follow AP’s Met Gala coverage, including live updates and live video, at https://apnews.com/hub/met-gala
