As the star-studded procession moved through the vaunted hallways of the Metropolitan Museum of Art towards a cocktail reception, British comedian James Corden playfully stretched out his arms as if to hug the historical edifice itself. “Let me know if you want me to talk you through any of this,” he cheekily offered, gesturing at the masterpieces that lined the route, entertaining none other than Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez in the process. The evening was peppered with humor, and regular attendee Corden was in his element.
The Met Gala is an event where seasoned attendees rub shoulders with wide-eyed newcomers. Among the latter at this year’s gala were the members of Stray Kids, the Korean pop sensation making their maiden appearance outfitted in Tommy Hilfiger. The K-pop ensemble, adorned in divergent hues of red, navy, and white, confessed to the familiar cocktail of excitement and anxiety akin to the first day at a new school. Gradually warming to the influential crowd, they rubbed elbows with celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Steven Yeun, and basketball star Ben Simmons.
Making her Met Gala debut as well, Ayo Edebiri, renowned for her role in “The Bear” and an awards circuit favorite, took deep breaths after the pleasant ordeal of greeting hosts Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, Hemsworth, and the high priestess of fashion herself, Anna Wintour. Despite the overwhelming environment, Edebiri was determined to etch every second into her memory.
The Gala’s central exhibit bore the enigmatic title “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”—a premise stretched beyond Disney’s drowsy princess, instead highlighting and reviving delicate, once-forgotten garments from the museum’s archives. Nonetheless, the element of whimsy from folklore was not lost on the organizers.
Upon entering the Great Hall, the surreal scene unfolded: a towering “whimsical tree” stretched 32 feet into the air, its fabric foliage spread over an undergrowth imitating the barrier of brambles from the legendary tale of Sleeping Beauty. A string orchestra accompanied this forest fantasy, while performers exquisitely garbed as woodland creatures recreated a merry scene from an enchanted forest.
Most attendees, tempted by the social allure, gravitated towards the cocktail space, but a few ventured into the exhibit, a multi-sensory rapture involving not just visuals but an orchestra of smells, sounds, and tactility. Lena Waithe took a solitary journey through it, marveling at the craftsmanship and reflecting on fashion as not just an ephemeral joy, but a genuine art form—one that shapes our identities in more ways than one can imagine.
Seth Meyers, stepping out for the night and away from parental duties, humorously bemoaned his children’s absence from the event, chuckling at the kid-friendly (or not) nature of the gala. Grounded in his sense of style, Meyers enjoys the event for the personalities it attracts rather than for making bold fashion statements.
Broadway was well represented, with stars like Jonathan Groff and J. Harrison Ghee delighting in the evening’s synergy of fashion and performing arts. Groff, a smiling presence alongside expecting mother and “Glee” co-star Lea Michele, recalled past gala performances from his career with a touch of nostalgia. Ghee, draped in a dramatic feathered ensemble by Howie B, ruminated on fashion’s expressive power and the pride their younger self would have felt in this moment.
The exhibit’s siren call failed to distract Lauren Sánchez from the buzz of the crowd, even as her opulent gown by Oscar de la Renta emitted a gentle scraping whisper during her stroll. She emotionally recounted the evening’s fashion journey and its deeper symbolism, garnering sweet accolades from Bezos on her elegance.
As the evening waned, the summons to dinner was sung by a grand choir and echoed by dancers, a melodious beckoning across the museum leading to the Temple of Dendur. The fairytale thread continued at the dinner tables, extravagantly laid to complete the immersion. A culinary homage to “Sleeping Beauty” awaited the guests, featuring a decadent filet of beef alongside petits fours, crafting an edible rendition of Grimm’s fairytales.
Fashionably late arrivals dotted the scene as the night progressed, but those timely for dinner were met with a feast fit for royalty, capped with confections whimsically resembling bespoke hats. And so, the gala enthralled and entertained, solidifying its status as not only a night of opulent pageantry but also as a nuanced celebration of artistry and heritage.
