It's hard to stand out at an event like the Met Gala, where hundreds of celebrities descend in their finest custom fashion to fundraise for the Costume Institute. Stars like Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, and Gigi Hadid have attended for several years and bring a precedent for jaw-dropping fashion with them. But this year, a cohort of rising fashion stars ascending the museum's famed steps for their Met Gala debuts proved the power of a first impression—and staying true to personal style, all while embracing the "Garden of Time" dress code.
First came stylist Danielle Goldberg's cadre of It-girls. She has a knack for bringing out clients' personalities without ever veering into costume territory, proven by her roster of first-time Met Gala guests. Ayo Edebiri elevated ombré florals in a Loewe halter gown with 3D appliqués and an open back; Greta Lee walked right behind her in a Loewe naked dress that was more subversive than straightforwardly sexy thanks to a curved neckline that jutted out from the bodice. While the pair both had greenhouse florals on their mood boards, the textures and color palettes didn't feel like conventional flower motifs.
Bones and All star Taylor Russell is yet another example of Jonathan Anderson's innovation when it comes to the Met Gala's new arrivals. She eschewed more obvious floral "garden" references for a gown whose corset was made from—wait for it—wood. The contrasting materials and elegant draping resulted in one of the best looks of the evening—a giving tree of an outfit.
Grammy-winner Tyla is another star who saw the "Garden of Time" memo and decided against dressing like a freshly cut rose or tulip. Instead, she partnered with Balmain's Olivier Rousteing on a gown that could have come from the world of Dune. The form-fitting, paper-maché-like dress was made from a sand and crystal stud mixture, representing the figurative "sands of time." She took the reference a step further with a custom clutch in the form of a tiny hourglass.
Later on the carpet, Rousteing had to cut Tyla's gown into a mini dress so she could walk. (The sand isn't as pliable in gown form as it is on the beach, and Tyla had to be carried up a few of the Met steps.) Speaking with Marie Claire months ago, the singer said that anything she wears needs to allow her to move, but she broke up with her own style motto for the night. “We were looking to do something creative, something completely different for my first Met Gala,” Tyla told Vogue. She succeeded tremendously.
Coming off a major awards season run, Da'Vine Joy Randolph extended her fashion-winning streak with her first Met Gala appearance—dressed in an unexpected designer. She partnered with Zac Posen, newly named the creative director of Gap, to create a sultry corset gown entirely cut from Gap denim. In a sea of pieces designed by European luxury houses, Randolph's ode to classic Americana subverted the status quo—and did so with expert tailoring and striking design elements, like fluttering bell sleeves.
Maybe the most celebratory look on the carpet came from Angel Reese. The WNBA rookie turned 22 on the carpet and brought the party vibes with her in a shimmering 16Arlington dress. Sequins! Feathers! Sheer fabrics! Reese has a noted affinity for all things glamorous and sparkly—her WNBA draft dress is also proof of that—and she made sure to bring it to her official fashion coronation.
Pamela Anderson's first walk up the Met steps was also poignant. Yesterday, at 56 years old, she attended her first Met Gala, following a pop culture wave that reconsidered Anderson's career and impact. She looked resplendent in a woodland princess-esque Oscar de la Renta gown—the sort of look that perfectly encapsulates the magic of fashion's biggest night out.
"I wasn't in fashion, ever. I wasn’t cool. And I know those things may seem really superficial to some people, but it means a lot to me," Anderson told The New York Times. Finally, receiving an invitation to the Met Gala felt like a form of acceptance.
More Met Gala debuts that were worth a second look included Rachel Sennott in Gilded Age-esque Balenciaga, Karol G in shimmering Marc Jacobs, and Shakira in red-hot Carolina Herrera. Whatever next year's theme is, look out for the first-timers. Chances are, they'll be the ones to really watch, and when these guests have racked up enough Met Galas to merit an entire gallery, they'll be glad the retrospective starts with their 2024 dresses.
