The Met Gala Announces 'The Garden of Time' as This Year's Theme

The Garden of Time: A Ballardian Theme

The official dress code for this year's Met Gala has been announced, and it is 'The Garden of Time.' The theme is inspired by a 1962 short story written by British author J. G. Ballard. The story is set in a garden filled with translucent flowers that manipulate time. Ballard, known for his dystopian stories, often incorporated ecological apocalypse or rising technologies in his work.

The Costume Institute's exhibition for the event, titled 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,' will be showcased at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from May 10 to September 2. Approximately 250 items and garments from the Met's extensive archive will be featured, including delicate pieces that will be displayed flat in suspended glass coffins.

Nature and Fashion Combine

Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute's Wendy Yu Curator in Charge, described the exhibition as 'an ode to nature and the emotional poetics of fashion.' The show aims to activate a sensorial appreciation of fashion among its visitors.

This year's co-chairs for the Met Gala include Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth, alongside Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. While Zendaya will make her return to the event after several years, Hemsworth will be making his first appearance. Honorary chairs include Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.

From Karl Lagerfeld to 'The Garden of Time'

Compared to last year's commemorative theme honoring Karl Lagerfeld, this year's dress code takes on a more complex and conceptual nature. The Met Gala's themes have varied between straightforward retrospectives and more artful, subjective prompts throughout the years. Guests can expect a wide range of interpretations of 'The Garden of Time,' with references to the fictional flowers and a darker, gothic aesthetic.