Met Gala 2024 theme has left netizens concerned: Here's why

Met Gala 2024 theme has left netizens concerned: Here's why
01 May 2024

The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced a vintage theme for the 2024 Met Gala, titled "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion."

According to Vogue, the New York-based institution plans to showcase 50 historically significant fashion items that are too delicate for further wear.

Scheduled for May 6 (next Monday), the theme of the gala is designed to revitalize these masterpieces through comprehensive research, conservation studies, and innovative technologies.

A display of centuries-old fashion and nature-inspired iconography
Exhibition details

The gala will exhibit approximately 250 objects spanning four centuries "visually united by iconography related to nature, which will serve as a metaphor for the fragility and ephemerality of fashion."

This is intended to symbolize the fragile and transient nature of fashion.

Attendees are urged to dress in outfits that mirror "The Garden of Time," a concept inspired by JG Ballard's 1962 eponymous short story.

Concerns over potential damage to iconic outfits
Fan worries

Despite the excitement surrounding the Met Gala theme, there is growing apprehension among fans that celebrities may opt to wear iconic outfits that could sustain irreversible damage.

A user on X/Twitter mentioned, "I am so excited for the Met Gala theme but I am praying no celebrities decide to actually wear fragile pieces like Kim Kardashian did [with] Marilyn Monroe's iconic dress in 2022."

Refresher: When Kim Kardashian was slammed for damaging Monroe's dress
Revisiting the incident

To recall, at the 2022 Met Gala, Kardashian adorned herself in Monroe's iconic 1962 "Happy Birthday Mr. President" dress.

Following her appearance, fashion enthusiasts voiced their disappointment upon seeing photos of the dress' damage.

Posted by The Marilyn Monroe Collection—claiming to hold the world's largest private collection of Monroe's personal items—before-and-after images on Instagram revealed missing crystals and loose threads on the 60-year-old dress after Kardashian wore it.

She reportedly lost around 7.25kg to fit into the $13,000 dress.

Clarification on the theme's connection to Disney Princesses
Theme misunderstanding

Meanwhile, confusion also arose over the 2024 theme's title and its perceived link to Disney Princesses.

However, social media users were quick to clarify that "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" is not about fairytales.

One X user tweeted, "Contrary to what the name might suggest upon first glance, the theme is NOT about fairytales, but rather about the historically significant garments that will be displayed at the MET."

Another user mentioned: "Theme is more about reawakening iconic pieces in fashion history."