When the Met Gala rolls around each year, fashion enthusiasts and celebrities alike anticipate the most extravagant, interpretative looks that pay homage to the evening's theme. For the 2024 Met Gala, the theme "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" invited attendees to draw inspiration from the idea of dormant beauty and the process of revival. Among the stars who delivered a jaw-dropping interpretation was supermodel Gigi Hadid, who graced the red carpet in a breathtaking Thom Browne creation that required a staggering 70-person team and over 13,500 hours of handcrafting.
The Masterpiece at the Met Gala 2024
Gigi Hadid's look was a stunning embodiment of the "Garden of Time" motif, as envisioned by designer Thom Browne. The ensemble consisted of a white off-the-shoulder corset dress with a flared hip section, layered under a white silk moiré coat trimmed with black Duchesse satin borders. The coat was meticulously adorned with three-dimensional yellow roses, giving the illusion of a blooming garden. Every element of the outfit was handcrafted, from the intricate embroidery to the delicate appliqués, making it not just a dress but a wearable work of art destined for Browne's permanent archive.
Behind the Scenes: A Labor of Love
The creation of Gigi Hadid's Met Gala look was a monumental effort involving multiple specialized teams. The outer coat alone required a 40-person team that spent more than 8,500 hours on embroidery. The result was a cascade of yellow roses with thorn appliqués, carefully placed to evoke a natural, organic feel. Meanwhile, the corset dress itself was a feat of precision craftsmanship: a team of 20 artisans dedicated 5,000 hours to hand-stitch 2.8 million micro pearls onto the fabric. The pearls shimmered under the lights, mimicking dew drops on petals.
Thom Browne commented on the process, saying, "It is always a privilege to watch Gigi come to life. I wanted her look to embody the fragility and the immense work seen in Andrew Bolton's exhibition, which blooms on the carpet and inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art." The designer's attention to detail and commitment to artisanal techniques paid off, resulting in a piece that perfectly married the exhibition theme with high fashion.
Gigi Hadid's Met Gala Legacy
Hadid has been a regular at the Met Gala since her first appearance in 2015. That year, under the theme "China: Through the Looking Glass," she wore a fiery red Diane von Furstenberg gown. Since then, she has consistently impressed with looks that balance creativity and adherence to the dress code. In 2018, she donned a voluminous burgundy puff coat by Versace; in 2019, a bird-like suit from Michael Kors Collection; and in 2021, she channeled Jessica Rabbit in a sleek Prada dress. Each appearance demonstrates her versatility and eagerness to collaborate with designers on boundary-pushing concepts.
Reflecting on her love for the Met Gala, Hadid said, "As someone who is part of the fashion industry, this is my favorite night of the year. It's like our prom. We can have fun and get a little crazy. We don't see it as a job, but as a way to create together and raise money for the Met to preserve artworks like this one. Every year I enjoy looking around and seeing how different creatives interpret the theme." Her enthusiasm highlights the unique spirit of the event, where fashion transcends commerce to become pure artistic expression.
The Stylist's Vision
Gigi Hadid's stylist, Mimi Cuttrell, revealed the inspiration behind the look. She said, "I work very visually, so Pinterest is the best tool to find images that help put together the perfect look. For Gigi, we focused on statues and structured stone pillars in a garden with vines and floral details. I was strongly inspired by references to old Italian gardens. I love how the light reflects beautiful yellow tones on stone—which also inspired me to choose yellow jewelry for her look." This artistic approach translated into the final ensemble, where the yellow roses and pearl embroidery mimicked the interplay of sunlight and stone.
The Art of Craftsmanship
The Met Gala 2024 served as a platform to celebrate the highest levels of craftsmanship. The Thom Browne piece for Hadid exemplifies a growing trend in fashion: the resurgence of handcrafting techniques in an age of fast fashion. Each micro pearl and each rose appliqué was placed by hand, requiring months of planning and execution. The sheer scale of the effort—70 people working 13,500 hours—translates to over a year and a half of continuous labor by a single person. This dedication to quality and artistry is rare, making Hadid's look a standout on a night known for excess and spectacle.
Hadid herself expressed awe at the creation. "At the final fitting, I finally got to see and touch the 3D appliqués," she said. "Just one rose from my outfit is already an artwork—and the many hours and work of the people who went into this dress are almost unfathomable. It is an honor for me to present this creation. I walk the carpet with that thought. I am very proud of this piece."
The Historical Context of the Met Gala
The Met Gala, formally known as the Costume Institute Benefit, has been a cornerstone of New York City's social and fashion calendar since 1948. Each year, the event raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute and marks the opening of its annual exhibition. The 2024 exhibition, "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," curated by Andrew Bolton, explores the concept of dormant garments and the processes that revive them—whether through conservation, reinterpretation, or imaginative styling. Gigi Hadid's Thom Browne dress perfectly encapsulated this theme, as it was both a sleeping beauty brought to life on the red carpet and a piece that will be preserved in Browne's archive for future generations to admire.
The craftsmanship behind Hadid's look also underscores a broader movement in fashion toward sustainability and lasting value. By investing thousands of hours into a single garment, Thom Browne demonstrates the antithesis of disposable fashion. Such pieces become heirlooms, treasures to be passed down and studied. This aligns with the Costume Institute's mission to collect and preserve iconic fashion, ensuring that the artistry of today becomes the inspiration of tomorrow.
Gigi Hadid's Role in Fashion
As one of the most recognizable supermodels of her generation, Gigi Hadid has consistently used her platform to highlight innovative design and cultural moments. Beyond her work on runways and campaigns, she has become a muse for designers ranging from Tommy Hilfiger to Chanel. Her annual Met Gala appearances are highly anticipated, as she often collaborates with designers known for their conceptual and theatrical approach. This year's partnership with Thom Browne was no exception, resulting in a look that will be remembered as one of the most labor-intensive and visually stunning in the Gala's history.
Hadid's Met Gala journey also reflects her personal growth as a fashion icon. From her first red carpet in 2015 to the intricately crafted ensemble of 2024, she has proven that she is not afraid to take risks and push boundaries. Her ability to interpret themes with authenticity and grace has earned her a place among the most stylish attendees year after year. The 2024 look, with its combination of historical references, botanical motifs, and painstaking handicraft, represents the pinnacle of her Met Gala evolution.
The Impact of Social Media and Visual Storytelling
The revealing of Gigi Hadid's Met Gala look was a major moment on social media, with images and videos shared across platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. The dress's intricate details were highlighted in close-up shots, allowing audiences to appreciate the micro pearls and 3D roses. Stylist Mimi Cuttrell's behind-the-scenes posts gave followers a glimpse into the creative process, further engaging fans and reinforcing the narrative of the ensemble as a collective masterpiece. In an era where fashion is increasingly consumed through screens, the Met Gala remains a rare occasion where tangible artistry takes center stage.
The use of Pinterest as a visual research tool by Cuttrell also illustrates how digital platforms influence high-fashion outcomes. By curating images of Italian gardens and stone statues, she was able to convey a specific mood to Thom Browne and his team, resulting in a cohesive vision that translated perfectly to the three-dimensional garment. This blend of digital inspiration and handcrafted execution is a hallmark of contemporary fashion design, bridging the gap between virtual mood boards and physical reality.
The legacy of Gigi Hadid's 2024 Met Gala look extends beyond one night. It will be archived by Thom Browne, studied by fashion students, and remembered by all who witnessed it. The dress serves as a testament to the power of collaboration, the beauty of slow fashion, and the enduring allure of the Met Gala as a showcase for the extraordinary.
Source: Vogue Germany News