'Sleeping Beauties': The 2024 Met Gala Theme Explained — and How Stars Will Interpret the Dress Code

The star-studded event takes place on Monday, May 6

• Fashion's biggest night, the Met Gala, will take place May 6 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

• This year's theme is "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" and the dress code is "The Garden of Time," inspired by a short story by JG Ballard

• Fashion critic and content creator Nicky Campbell says that this year’s theme and dress code have the potential to culminate into “one of the best Met Gala red carpets we’ve ever seen"

The countdown is on!

Widely known as the biggest night in fashion, the 2024 Met Gala takes place on Monday, May 6. The annual fundraising event has evolved into a fashion Olympics of sorts, with A-listers across entertainment industries turning out their very best looks — and spectators judging how well they’ve executed the all-important theme.

In November 2023, Vogue revealed that the 2024 Met Gala theme would be “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” This is also the title of the corresponding Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute exhibit, which will run from May 10 to September 2, 2024.

Andrew Bolton, curator in charge, shared that the show will be compartmentalized into a core exhibit and three additional zones — Land, Sea and Sky — which he says “is very much an ode to nature and the emotional poetics of fashion.”

Related: All About the 2024 Met Gala, from the Co-Chairs to the Theme

Per Vogue, the show “has not to do with the Brothers Grimm or Disney, but rather the celebration of clothing and fashion so fragile that it can’t ever be worn again — and are thus sleeping beauties in the scrupulous archives of the Costume Institute.”

In February 2024, Vogue announced that the 2024 Met Gala dress code would be “The Garden of Time,” inspired by JG Ballard’s 1962 short story of the same name. In the tale, a count and countess live in a utopian villa overlooking a lush garden.

But what does all this mean when it comes to red carpet looks?

How the 2024 Met Gala Theme Translates to Clothing

Fashion critic and content creator Nicky Campbell says that this year’s theme and dress code have the potential to culminate into “one of the best Met Gala red carpets we’ve ever seen.”

“This exhibition is all about breathing new life into archival fashion, which sets the stage for a bold red carpet,” Campbell tells PEOPLE. “There will be a number of looks on display in the exhibition that have rarely been seen in public before; some of which are too fragile to ever be worn again. For me, the theme calls for jaw-dropping, one-of-a-kind creations that push the envelope of red carpet dressing.”

“I think there will be a lot of sheer fabrics and floral embroidery,” says celebrity stylist Timothy Chernyaev. “I hope to see clothes that are disintegrating or unraveling, that would be chic.”

Stylist Molly Dickinson, whose clients include Sydney Sweeney and Camila Mendes, also predicts that archival looks will be huge this year, but notes that such pieces come with their own set of challenges.

“I think vintage is so special and so cool,” the stylist, who will be dressing “a few clients” for the big night, tells PEOPLE. “But to source vintage now is becoming so hard for a stylist, because they're so rare and so expensive and all you have to do to maintain those gowns. And of course, it's not easy just to slip into them.”

Kim Kardashian’s 2022 Met Gala look — a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in 1962 — proved controversial due to its delicate structure and historical significance. Kardashian shared that she lost 16 pounds in three weeks in order to fit into the gown as it could not be altered. There were also claims that the gown had been damaged after the reality star wore it, though they were refuted by Ripley’s Believe It or Not, which owns the famous dress and lent it to Kardashian.

Given the “Garden of Time” dress code and the natural elements tied into the exhibition, experts agree that we can likely expect lots of florals, greenery and other nature-inspired designs.

“I expect to see a lot of literal interpretations of this on the red carpet: think animals, florals, trees and more,” Campbell says.

Guests might also have literal interpretations of the “Sleeping Beauty” theme.

“When we think ‘sleeping beauties’ we might get some literal references to archival pieces that have not been seen since they walked a runway but have now been ‘reawakened’ and exhibited on the Met steps,” says fashion stylist and commentator Jack Savoie. “When thinking of ‘sleeping’ we might see pajama-like inspired looks: nightgowns, slip dresses, and maybe even lace.”

Which Designers Will Dominate the 2024 Met Gala Red Carpet?

Fashion houses that have historically been inspired by nature are likely to be seen at the 2024 Met Gala.

Campbell predicts looks by Alexander McQueen, the late designer who was “well known for bridging the gap between nature and technology.”

Savoie adds, “McQueen always had a darkly romantic connection to nature within his designs. I think this could work perfectly back to the idea that beauty is fleeting.”

Campbell also expects Loewe, one of the event’s sponsors, to dominate the red carpet.

“I can't think of a more perfect brand for this year's exhibition and theme,” he says. “Loewe has always prioritized craft, artistry, and innovation in their designs while under the leadership of designer Jonathan Anderson.”

Campbell notes that Loewe is known for incorporating nature into their collections, calling out the viral anthurium top worn by Emily Ratajkowski in 2023 and the grass-sprouting ensembles shown at their spring/summer 2023 menswear show.

How Celebrities Will Execute the 2024 Met Gala Theme

Due to the breadth of inspiration behind this year’s Gala, there are many ways in which celebrity guests could utilize their signature style to interpret the theme.

When it comes to fashion icons and 2024 Met Gala co-chairs Zendaya and Jennifer Lopez, experts think they will pull out all the stops.

“I fully expect Zendaya to steal the red carpet this year with a major fashion moment,” Campbell says, noting that the actress and her longtime stylist, Law Roach, are known for their daring archival looks.

“I wouldn't be surprised if Zendaya pulled another super rare piece from the archive, but knowing her close relationship to Jonathan Anderson [Loewe’s creative director], I can also see her opting for an incredible Loewe look,” he adds.

Savoie expects Zendaya to wear an archival look as well, predicting she’ll opt for “something romantic and floral-like.”

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As for Lopez, Campbell notes that because the star “knows how to execute a viral fashion moment to last the ages,” her look is sure to make waves.

“I expect her to really deliver a statement look on the carpet,” he says. “Given the theme's tie to nature, maybe she'll find a new way to reinterpret her iconic jungle-print Versace gown?”

Savoie hopes she’ll revive the infamous dress, but perhaps incorporating a modern twist like 3-D palm leaves.

Chernyaev predicts Lopez will incorporate real flowers into her look.

“Schiaparelli made a look for Jennifer Lopez with real flowers for her to attend their last couture show and I think we’ll be seeing something like that,” he says.

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