By Lieba Nesis
The 2024 Met Gala themed “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” took place Monday May 6th as thousands of anti-Israel protestors unsuccessfully sought to disrupt the festivities. The NYPD’s attempt to disperse the rageful crowd at Madison Avenue and 80th Street proved futile resulting in the arrest of 27 Hamas lovers. Thankfully, at 6 PM a full year’s preparation ultimately went off without a hitch as the Met Gala extravaganza began to unfold. The official dress code for the evening “The Garden of Time” ushered in the 250 rare items showcased at the Museum from May 10th until September 2nd-spanning over 400 years of fashion history with designs by Schiaparelli, Dior, Givenchy and more. Hosts this year included megastars Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny and Chris Hemsworth who joined 400 other pre-picked attendees at the $75,000 per person shindig-$25,000 more than last year. A record-breaking $26 million was raised at the much coveted dinner presided over by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour joined by her children Charles and Bee Shaffer.
The epicenter of the evening is The Mark Hotel as celebrities exit the lobby with hundreds of paparazzi waiting to snap the first picture. Cardi B, along with an entourage of ten umbrella wielding security guards, shielded her extravagant black gown from the photographer’s prying eyes to savor the moment for the red carpet. Crowds of girls screeched with excitement as Kylie Jenner clad in a cream Oscar de la Renta pointed bra gown raced into her Mercedes Sprinter van-a must have accessory for those with large gowns and even larger entourages including stylists, publicists and hairdressers.
The ubiquitous question remained as to whether this year would measure up to
others in terms of style, attendees and excitement. With sponsors TikTok, Spanish fashion brand Loewe and Condé Nast on board significant financial success was a certainty as billionaires Jeff Bezos, Michael Bloomberg and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew socialized among the glitterati. There were a couple of first timers including couples Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky along with good friends Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso, as well as Pamela Anderson, Jeff Goldblum and Shakira. However, the staples whose prior year looks shut down the internet were missing.
Despite rumors of a Taylor Swift and Beyonce appearance these megastars along with Lady Gaga and Rihanna-who backed out last minute due to a supposed illness-were no-shows. Many stars who did attend did so without their usual significant others including chair JLo without Ben Affleck, Karlie Kloss minus Josh Kushner, Serena Williams without Alexis Ohanian, Penelope Cruz without Javier Bardem, Gigi Hadid without usual attendee Brad Cooper, Zendaya without Tom Holland, and the list goes on. Regulars Jared Leto, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Anne Hathaway, Margot Robbie, Alicia Keys, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt, The Olsen twins, Kate Hudson, Katie Holmes, the Beckhams, Katy Perry, Kate Moss, Billie Eilish, Blake Lively, Miley Cyrus, Emma Stone, Alexa Chung, and Glenn Close were nowhere to be found. Designers who took tables prior years such as Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Chanel and Erdem passed on the $350,000 charge as Chloe, Tory Burch, Loewe and Prada made up for the missing funds. The billionaire Arnault’s who head the LVMH conglomerate always send at least one family member-not this year. Salma Hayek and CEO of Kering Francois Pinault similarly missed out on their usual date night sending shockwaves through Conde Nast. Anna Wintour in her dour Loewe frock appeared perturbed as she was forced to abandon her habitual Chanel couture gown for the sponsored company’s schmatta.
Why these luminaries chose to skip out on a night that generates billions of views on social media and undeniably raises their profile reaping large monetary rewards is manifold. Firstly, this is the one event they don’t get paid to attend as their sheer presence is usually remunerated. Furthermore, this evening has lost some of its cool factor as the Kardashians took over years ago along with fellow exhibitionists Emily Ratajkowski, Doja Cat, and Rita Ora. Competing with these nearly naked stars is virtually impossible as the glory days of fashionistas such as Sarah Jessica Parker have eviscerated. Parker’s 2024 Richard Quinn masterpiece barely made a dent in the Met publicity cycle-who needs a fully clothed actress in her late 50’s with some real flare? While feminine labels Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy, Chloe and John Galliano ruled the night the lack of wow was glaring as very few dresses hit a one-two punch. Yes Zendaya ,dressed by stylist Law Roach, stole the night in two arresting Galliano gowns that were right on theme-but so what? Her third look-yes I said third-was a Celia Kritharioti dinner gown that was simply divine. Much was made of singer Tyla’s Balmain sand dress that was molded to her naked body with her obvious breast implants portruding-proving once again obscenity reigns. The poor Kardashians Kim, Kylie, Kendall and Kris were relegated to obscurity as their modest attire failed to impress. Paris Hilton most likely lost her one time only 2023 invite along with Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian who were similarly missing in action.
Despite TikTok sponsoring the festivities luminaries such as the D’Amelios, Addison Rae and Khaby Lame were according to TikToker Danny Rayes uninvited-Wisdom Kaye being the only notable attendee. The food was equally underwhelming with a Wintour ban on garlic, onion and chives producing a bland spring vegetable salad, filet of beef, and glazed apple for dessert hardly worth the $75,000 price tag. The entertainment by Ariana Grande featuring 30 dancers, the Broadway Inspirational choir and Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo was lackluster as Grande’s weak nasally voice got drowned out by the magnanimous room. There were some home runs including the arrival of Israel lovers Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld along with Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. Even self hating Jew Alexander Soros made a first time cameo with girlfriend Huma Abedin as Israel hating Gigi Hadid whose short haired look was all wrong for the romantic evening stood nearby. As guests headed to the 12 afterparties they changed into some more flesh baring looks-who could resist the chance to be photographed au naturel for the umpteenth time.