Asian Celebrities at the 2024 Met Gala
We shall call them the slaysians.
Greta Lee. Photo: George Eyres via Loewe Instagram.
Monday, May 6th, 2024 (aka the first Monday in May) marked the biggest night in fashion: the Met Gala, and our fave Asian celebs were among the best dressed of the night.
Every year, the gala, which fundraises in support of the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute, brings out some of the biggest names in fashion, Hollywood and beyond, for an exciting evening of glamour and style.
While this year’s Costume Institute exhibit is “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” the theme of the gala was “The Garden of Time,” based on a short story of the same title written by J.G. Ballard in 1962.
According to Vogue, “The Garden of Time” tells the story of “Count Axel and his wife, the countess, in their utopia of leisure, art, and beauty; they live in a villa with a terrace that overlooks a garden of crystalline flowers with translucent leaves, gleaming glass-like stems, and crystals at the heart of every bloom. Though, as in all of Ballard’s work (Ballardian, per contemporary dictionaries, has come to represent dystopian modernity, bleak artificial landscapes, and the psychological effects of technological, social, or environmental developments), there is a dystopian element to their paradise; holding onto it is like trying to keep every grain of a fistful of sand intact in your palm.”
Below, the Asians celebrities who slayed the red carpet.
1. Greta Lee in custom Loewe
Greta + Loewe = match made in heaven. Though we do wonder how the Past Lives star managed to eat in this dress!
2. Awkwafina in H&M
A more ethereal look than we’re used to for the Quiz Lady star, and we’re loving it.
3. Alia Bhatt in custom Sabyasachi
Sensational. A perfect homage to both the theme and Bhatt’s culture. And we cannot get over that 23-foot train!
YOOOO THE FUCKIN SARI #MetGala pic.twitter.com/hQcf4WAwBP
— 🌸carriecmoney.bsky.social🌸 (@carriecmoney) May 6, 2024
4. Mindy Kaling in Gaurav Gupta
A sculptural masterpiece meant to embody “The Melting Flower of Time.” But the real show-stopper was the back of the gown.
The back of Mindy Kaling’s dress is literal art. Whoa. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/8KB3AObkVM
— Caleigh Miller (@CaleighAMiller) May 6, 2024
5. Michelle Yeoh in custom Balenciaga couture
An interesting choice from mother is all we’ll say.
6. Jennie in custom Alaia
Cute!
7. Laufey in Atelier Prabal Gurung
An absolutely exquisite, dreamy gown that perfectly suits the Icelandic Chinese singer. But the most special part? The embroidery on the veil which featured the Bach violin fugue Laufey’s mother played every day as a “little piece of my family to have with me on the carpet.” (Note: the story of “The Garden of Time” mentions a Bach fugue being played in the distance, so this is especially fitting).
Bach’s Fugue stitched on the veil 🎶👰🏻 pic.twitter.com/Tqj1aFtwdz
— Laufey Updates (@LaufeyUpdates) May 7, 2024
8. Tyla in Balmain Atelier
Perhaps one of the most show-stopping gowns on this year’s Met Gala red carpet was Tyla’s “Sands of Time” dress, featuring actual sand. The hourglass ‘purse’ is also a fun touch!
9. Ambika Mod in custom Loewe
The One Day star’s Met Gala gown featured a 3D digital print of the 1951 “Petal” ball gown by the influential mid-century designer Charles James.
10. Simone Ashley in Atelier Prabal Gurung
Love this stunning midnight hue on the Bridgerton star.
11. Mona Patel in Iris Van Herpen
The dress that caused quite the commotion on X (Twitter) and catapulted Indian entrepreneur Mona Patel to instant fashion stardom.
12. Steven Yeun in Thom Browne
Proof that a black suit doesn’t have to be boring—if you look closely, you’ll notice black roses and ravens on the suit jacket and trousers. Also love the umbrella with the gold raven handle!
13. Stray Kids in Tommy Hilfiger
Stray Kids made Met Gala history as the first K-pop group to attend the event. For their Met debut, they donned Tommy Hilfiger.
14. Charli XCX in Marni
Playing on the “time” piece, Charli XCX’s Met Gala gown featured a patchwork of T-shirts from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.
