Published: 15:36, May 7, 2024 | Updated: 15:40, May 7, 2024
Grape-accented Zendaya leads garden-themed looks at Met Gala
By Reuters

US actress Zendaya arrives for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)

NEW YORK - Zendaya wore a dark blue gown adorned with grape clusters and Lana Del Rey donned a dramatic headpiece with tree branches, two of the eye-catching looks at this year's garden-themed Met Gala on Monday.

Stars were told to dress in Garden of Time attire for the invite-only event, known for its A-list celebrities and extravagant outfits. Attendees walked a white and green carpet surrounded by lush foliage and white flowers up the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A high-profile annual event, the Met Gala is a benefit for the New York museum and marks the opening of its Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit

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Film and TV star Zendaya, a host of this year's event, sported heavy eyeliner and a blue lamé and organza bias-cut dress worn over a duchess satin corset. Designed by John Galliano, the gown featured clusters of grapes on a hip and arm, a large ruffle on one side and a blue hummingbird on a shoulder.

Zendaya later changed into a black Givenchy gown and large floral Alexander McQueen hat.

Del Rey, the Grammy-nominated singer, stood out in a beige, corseted Alexander McQueen gown and a headpiece with natural hawthorn branches. The branches were draped with sheer tulle that fell below her face.

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 Colombian singer Shakira arrives for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York. (PHOTO /AFP)

A high-profile annual event, the Met Gala is a benefit for the New York museum and marks the opening of its Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit.

This year's exhibit, called Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, will feature rare items that have been dormant in the Costume Institute's permanent collection, including designs so fragile that they will be displayed only through animation and projections.

Jennifer Lopez, another Met Gala host, wore a beaded, see-through Schiaparelli gown and a butterfly-shaped necklace.

US singer and actress Jennifer Lopez arrives for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)

Singer Rita Ora arrived in strings of long, colorful beads that swung as she walked and revealed a skintight, nude-colored bodysuit underneath. She was accompanied by her husband, film director Taika Waititi.

Many attendees chose a floral look. Queen Latifah sported a black dress and jacket with large, orange bird of paradise accents. Demi Moore wore a black structured gown made out of vintage wallpaper that featured pink and white flowers.

Ariana Grande sparkled in an ivory gown with a mother-of-pearl bodice and posed with Cynthia Erivo, her co-star in an upcoming film adaptation of Broadway musical "Wicked." Erivo wore a two-piece black outfit covered in pink petals.

US socialite Kim Kardashian arrives for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)

Among the men, musician Lil Nas X donned an ivory suit and jacket with 56,000 hand-placed Swarovski crystals arranged in large, gleaming swaths. The eight members of K-Pop boy band Stray Kids also walked the carpet, wearing custom Tommy Hilfiger suits in the designer's trademark red, white and blue palette.

US singer Ariana Grande arrives for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)
Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh arrives for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)
US singer Lana Del Rey arrives for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)
Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki arrives for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York.  (PHOTO / AFP)
 US actress Demi Moore (left) and US-British fashion designer Harris Reed arrive for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)
 US rapper Lil Nas X arrives for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York. The Gala raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. (PHOTO / AFP)
US rapper Nicki Minaj arrives for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)
British race car driver Lewis Hamilton arrives for the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York. (PHOTO /AFP)