Met Gala 2024: Tyla, Kim, Zendaya and more – Zeda breaks down her favourite looks

On the first Monday of May, the rich, the fabulous and the blissfully unaware of reality raced to show us their best looks for the annual charity gala which seeks to raise funds for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The 2024 Gala launched the Institute’s spring exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” which opens to the public on Friday. To accompany the theme, a dress code is created. This year’s was the “ Garden of Time” and oh did the celebrities have a laugh with this one… the interpretation of the dress code was vast.

Before I get started I need to note that I’ve watched the live feeds for many years, but this one felt different. Internationally, comparisons were drawn between the Capitol in the Hunger Games and it’s not too far off the mark with the current state of the world.

But I am here to talk fashion and I want to get into these delicious looks with the absolute favourite of the night (and I’m not accepting any disagreements) – Tyla in Balmain designed by Olivier Rousteing and styled by Katie Qian. The dress was sculpted and based on a cast of her body, it was then created out of three different colours of sand and micro-crystal studs to add sparkle. The sand that was added to her arms in addition to the hourglass bag she carried, both played into the theme and the dress code perfectly. She was guided up the carpet by four guards, who carried her up every step – the drama! It was a gorgeous performance and I thoroughly enjoyed watching every minute.

Let’s talk about Kim Kardashian’s controversial John Galliano for Maison Margiela silver corset dress and grey sweater styled by Danielle Levi. If you watched the Maison Margiela Couture Spring Summer 2024 runway show you got it immediately and if you didn’t, you probably thought she just threw on a ratty cardigan over such a gorgeous (albeit very tight) dress. The show featured models strutting down the runway pulling at their clothes, kind of looking uncomfortable and making odd shapes with their bodies, essentially giving a performance. In my opinion, Kim did what she needed to do, and although at times it looked like she couldn’t breathe, she did what I love, which is serve!

Next up are Zendaya’s two (TWO!) looks, both styled by Law Roach. Initially, I didn’t appreciate these looks, but after watching the footage of her moving in the two outfits, I did a 180. Both times when the co-chair delicately walked the carpet, she hit these interesting and captivating poses which showcased the dresses so well, and gave the viewers the glamour, opulence and beauty we have come to expect from the Met Gala. Her first look was a dress recreated by John Galliano for Maison Margiela, inspired by a Spring 1999 Dior design, topped off by a Stephen Jones beret. Two hours later, she changed into a Spring Summer 1996 John Galliano gown for Givenchy from the vintage store, Lily et Cie, with a flower bouquet hat by Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen from Spring Summer 2007.

Next up, is Bad Bunny styled by Storm Latormenta. As co-chair of the Gala, he knew he had to bring it and he sure did. My best menswear look of the night was so dedicated to serving drama that he wore a corset with his John Galliano for Maison Margiela look. The look was a perfect blend of his identity, with cultural homage, and all while exemplifying the dress code. He carried a black Flor de Maga, the national flower of Puerto Rico, which symbolises the island’s bravery and resilience during challenging times. The funky sunglasses, oversized bonnet and Tabis were the perfect icing on the cake!

Another of my favourites of the night was Doja Cat, and she was probably the person that gave the best overall ‘performance’. It’s easy to wax lyrical about the meaning of wearing a wet t-shirt to the most prestigious fashion event in the world, but we can’t deny that she looks interesting and forces us to challenge our perception of ‘red carpet glamour’. Doja wore Vetements by Guram Gvasalia styled by Brett Nelson and once again, it was a very wet, extra large, white, maxi T-shirt. As she slowly walked through the carpet, she held her bust and posed, giving us different angles over and over again. Doja’s performance actually began a few days before as she and Guram paraded through NYC with different looks from bed sheets, to plastic bags. We had a feeling it was going to lead to something at the Gala and personally I’m not disappointed.

Cardi B wasn’t a personal favourite, but I must admit it’s the look that served the MOST drama on the night. The feather-trimmed, black gown by Windowsen, styled by Kollin Carter, needed seven people to move it around. It is a dress that the Met Gala deserves. It was topped off with a high black headscarf and adorned with oversized, emerald jewellery. She gave opulence and theatrics, and we all love to see it.

Last but never least is our Irish King, Barry Keoghan in his brown Burberry suit styled by Ilaria Urbinati. To be perfectly honest with you, I didn’t really get it. His team took the dress code very seriously, perhaps a little bit too seriously, and he ended up looking like the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. He even wore a ’30s pocket watch (and TWO other Omega watches). Despite the Wonderland connotations, the top hat was my favourite part of the look. He came and he served, it is debatable whether the serve was acceptable, but at least he served something.

With that, I bid adieu to another unforgettable Met Gala. I thoroughly enjoyed how everyone manoeuvred the theme… and also the stairs. While the glitter settles and the gowns find their way back to the archives, the memories of this ever so extravagant evening will linger on. Until next year, when we’ll do it all over again in the name of fashun!