Each year the Met Gala brings together the biggest celebrities and fashionistas to celebrate The Metropolitan Museum of Art's newest exhibition. This year that exhibit is titled "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," which features haven't-been-seen-in-a-long-time pieces sorted by the elements. Anna Wintour strongly advises attendees to keep the exhibit and the theme (this year's is "The Garden of Time") in mind when selecting what they'll be wearing. While there are always some rule breakers, most guests will try and represent in the chicest way possible. Which begs the question: since the 2024 exhibit is all about vintage treasures will celebs feel compelled to wear vintage or archival fashion?
The answer to that question is likely a resounding "yes," but we'll have to wait till Monday to see. Truth is, there are only so many vintage and archival items to go around. Plus, the process of tracking one down can be taxing. Many celeb stylists develop relationships with vintage boutique owners and private collectors building up trust so their clientele can have the privilege of wearing something truly special and unique. This is important at red carpet events because getting caught flaunting the same look as another attendee is quite the scandal.
Naturally, there is risk involved for both the lender and the wearer. Case in point: Kim Kardashian dared to wear Marilyn Monroe's 1962 Bob Mackie dress to the 2022 Met Gala. She only wore it for a short time while posing for pics on and around the gala's famous red stairs. But she was accused of causing some damage to the arguably priceless creation.
Another option is to rely on a fashion house's in-house archive. Of course, that can still go awry. First, you have to locate a piece that doesn't need any alterations to fit whichever celeb you're working for. Then there's always the chance that the celeb spills something on it over the course of the night. Which is why some stars only step out in showstopping pieces for that red carpet walk (see above).
The most practical option really is a reproduction. It's a homage, it's custom-made and doesn't come with any drama. Aside from both celebs and stylists hoping that it'll be done in time. Recently, Law Roach teamed up with Wes Gordon to recreate the epic black-and-white Carolina Herrera gowns Venus and Serena Williams wore for a Vogue shoot in 1998. Zendaya was the beneficiary, of course, sporting a new version of the dynamic design and the sisters' signature hairstyle.
The practice has also been implemented for red-carpet events. At this year's Oscars, Carey Mulligan turned heads in a recreation of a 1951 Balenciaga ballgown designed with help from the brand's atelier. Natalie Portman went the same route for the 2023 Cannes International Film Festival by flaunting a reproduction of Christian Dior's now infamous Junon dress from the Fall 1949 collection.
We don't know exactly which majestic creations are featured in the exhibit so it's hard to speculate which ones are destined for a second showing come Monday. What we do know is that it'll cover legendary works from the likes of Yves Saint Laurent, Elsa Schiaparelli, Maison Margiela, Gucci and many more. That may make this Met Gala one of the most memorable.
