Botanical Beauties and Au Naturel Vesture - Products inspired by the 2024 Met Gala’s theme “The Garden of Time”

The first Monday in May holds a special place in the hearts (and calendars) of us fashion junkies, marking the annual gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The fundraising event (aka the Met Gala) is a spectacle of both haute couture and haut monde, attracting a sea of A-listers to celebrate the theme each year.

This year’s exhibit, titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” features 220 pieces spanning centuries of fashion and design archives. It showcases iconic and historical works from houses such as Schiaparelli, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Charles Frederick Worth, and Alexander McQueen, including pieces that are too fragile to be placed on mannequins. The exhibition also introduces immersive components with the goal of ‘reawakening’ these beauties through the senses: touch, smell, sound, sight.

Guests were instructed to dress according to the exhibit’s sub-theme, “The Garden of Time,” inspired by J.G. Ballard’s short story of the same name. One may be quick to interpret the theme at the surface level (i.e., as pertaining to garden variety items), but upon deeper inspection it is also an ode to the natural materials used in fashion. Broken into three zones (land, sea, and sky), the exhibit reflects these natural processes as well as the elemental themes referenced in the garments themselves.

From 3D floral appliqués to prickly branches, birds, water, and sand, designers tapped into their ingenuity to interpret the sub-theme. Whether by design or coincidence, 2024 fashion has not only marked the year of the bow, but also the flower, with floral prints and appliqués trickling down from the runway collections of Simone Rocha, Coperni, Blumarine, Balmain, Alexander McQueen, Marni, Undercover, and Chloé (the list goes on).

To celebrate the Met Gala and the importance of natural elements, PhotoBook has rounded up elevated pieces that evoke this year’s theme in both material and aesthetic, striking the perfect balance between the spectrum of trendy and timeless. Reminder: Florals, as we all know, are not “groundbreaking,” but they will forever remain staples and sources of inspiration, conveying an “easy on the eyes” quality that will never cease to elate us.

Botanical Vesture

There has been no shortage of floral-mania among fashion collections in 2024: think rosettes, organza flowers, embroidered foliage and prints. Ranging from fun beachy frocks to sophisticated evening looks, there’s a page in the book for everyone. If you err on the side of “edgy,” opt for a black rose-appliquéd blouse from Simone Rocha.

Consider Sig Neigum’s sheer floral dress as a perfect layering piece or summer cover up. Versatile items that can be dressed-up or down include Sea x Paloma Vintage’s embroidered jeans, Des Phemmes’ sequin skirt, or Desigual's flower printed tee for a subtle touch.

Handbags - Au Naturel

While natural materials such as canvas, silk, and shearling are not new, they remain more significant than ever as drivers of sustainability. As designers continue to use these materials, their qualities are elevated through inventive designs. Case in point: Bottega Veneta's iconic sardine bag features a cotton canvas base and wooden handle, providing a unique twist on its classic design with gold hardware and intricate leather. Other options include Sandy Liang’s silk shoulder bag, or Stella McCartney’s innovative ‘mushroom leather’ purse.

Raffia, Raffia, Raffia

In 2023, the woven basket bag was seemingly a worldwide phenomenon featured in every major designer collection, from Jacquemus, Prada. Ranging from raffia, rattan, straw, and bamboo, we see unique variations of these plant-derived materials in 2024, along with new shapes and colors. Although seemingly similar, the textures of these materials vary drastically from more flexible basketweaves to rigid structures.

Land, Sea, and Sky Motif Accessories

Whether you decidedly want to stand out with Julietta’s chunky shell necklace, an Olympia Le-Tan tropical clutch, or Romualda Gran’s poppy printed bucket hat, or perhaps prefer to keep the earthy theme minimal—opt instead for Anita Berisha’s calla lily earrings, Magda Butrym’s leather bowler bag, or Dries Van Noten’s slim bird-printed scarf.

While earthy elements are naturally fitting for spring and summer, and even more so in light of this year’s Met Gala, their relevance transcends seasonality. Rooted in our very essence, our connection to the Earth remains unwavering, particularly as we strive for a more sustainable industry. Let us celebrate these elements in their various forms and iterations, and remember the importance and beauty of our natural world.

Article by Romi Bachar, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine

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