Decoding “The Garden of Time”: Who ACTUALLY Dressed on Theme at the Met Gala?

Written By Mathew So

The theme for this year's Met Gala, "The Garden of Time," is so much more than meets the eye. Inspired by J.G. Ballard's 1962 short story, it narrates the tale of Count Axel and his wife, residing in a utopian villa within a garden. Their idyllic and reclusive existence is threatened by an encroaching mob, which they hold off by plucking magical time-reversing flowers from their garden. Eventually, there are no more time flowers left, and the mob descends upon the villa, which succumbs to ruin. The existence of the once-dignified couple is reduced to a pair of statues, entangled in thorns, silently “gazing out over the grounds”.

Interpreting this story as a dress code proves more challenging that it initially appears, as many celebrities seem to opt for more obvious fashion choices. So let’s take a look at the top 5 outfits we believe best embody the essence of J.G. Ballard’s piece.

 

1. Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey’s custom Alexander McQueen ensemble stands at the top of our list of the evening's most on-theme outfits. Designed by Sean McGirr, it draws inspiration from a 2006 dress featured in the iconic collection "Widows of Culloden" by the Lee McQueen. The result evokes poignant imagery referencing the story's conclusion, with the statues of the count and countess ensnared amidst thorny foliage. Lana herself emerges as an embodiment of the countess, seemingly transformed into a statue amidst the branches and barbs.

 

2. Tyla

Styled by Katie Qian, Tyla undoubtedly commanded attention with one of the evening’s most viral looks. Making her debut at the Met Gala, the singer wore a custom Balmain gown encrusted with sand and a sand hourglass clutch. The avant garde creation draws inspiration from the phrase “sands of time”, offering a subtle nod to Ballard’s story, as the count and countess face the inevitability of their fates. Designed by Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing, the gown is a masterpiece in itself, molded directly onto Tyla’s frame. Adding to the spectacle, Rousteing personally hand cut the skirt and train once within the museum, transforming the gown into a midi dress. Simply put, wow!

 

3. Wisdom Kaye

Fashion influencer Wisdom Kaye is no stranger to avant garde style, and his Met Gala ensembled embraced the theme of desecration within “The Garden of Time”. Designed by Robert Wun, Kaye’s look featured a striking red tailcoat and matching hat. The inclusion of burnt-out or rotted holes in the fabric heightened the dramatic effect, infusing an element of horror, that alluded to the harrowing moments of the count’s demise. As the mob closed in on the precious villa, where "the doors had rotted from their hinges and the floors had fallen through," Kaye’s outfit resonated with haunting symbolism, serving as a reminder of decaying grandeur and the end of aristocracy.

 

4. Zendaya

Zendaya has undeniably cemented her status as a fashion icon over the years, and her appearance at the 2024 Met Gala was no exception. As co-host of the event, she made a memorable entrance by wearing two different outfits, and we, in particular, wanted to highlight her archival Givenchy look on our list. The melodramatic gown, originally designed by John Galliano in 1996 for Givenchy’s spring haute couture show, exuded drama and elegance. While Zendaya consistently gives "main character energy," this ensemble unmistakably channels one of the central characters in Ballard’s piece – the countess. Described as a woman in “an elaborate full-skirted dress” her face "serene and intelligent", Zendaya effortlessly embodied this persona. It was a captivating moment as the mysterious countess seemingly leaped from the pages of the story onto the steps of the Met.

 

5. Demi Moore

In J.G. Ballard’s story, the narrative is incomplete without the enchanting time flowers that the count and countess desperately use to hold back the mob. Demi Moore, adorned in Cartier high jewelry and a custom Harris Reed ensemble, embodied the essence of these blossoms. Ballard vividly described the time flowers with petals enclosing a “crystal heart,” their “diamond brilliance” dancing in the air. Moore's choice of the Chloris necklace and earrings set perfectly captures this imagery, featuring platinum and diamond-encrusted spirals with emerald centers, inspired by dandelion seeds carried away by the wind. Complementing her jewelry, Moore's sculptural Harris Reed ensemble was equally striking. Drawing inspiration from a look in Reed’s fall 2024 collection, the velvet gown featured silk panels adorned with large pink peonies. These floral motifs, starting in full bloom and gradually wilting as they descended Moore’s figure, echoed the cycle of nature and passage of time. Additionally, the thorns surrounding Moore’s look served as yet another nod to “The Garden of Time,” symbolizing the eventual desolation of the garden with only barren stems and barbed branches remaining.

 

About Us

garmentHERE also known as General Orient “GO” has proudly led the apparel export market. Our primary focus extends to the US, Canadian, and European markets, where we have collaborated with numerous high and medium-end brands, including Joie, BCBG, Vince, Elaine Kim, Brochu Walker, Daniel Buchler, Equipment, and many others. Over the span of a decade, our enduring partnerships have not only facilitated our growth but also cultivated lasting friendships with our clients. We prioritize quality, efficiency, and competitive pricing, ensuring your success!

Mathew So
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