ften referred to as the pinnacle of fashion events, the upcoming iteration of The Costume Institute exhibition is set to take place at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York City, renowned as the fourth-largest art museum globally, starting tomorrow.

Like its predecessors, this year’s Met Gala maintains its tradition of incorporating a distinct theme and dress code. Entitled Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, it promises to offer a captivating exploration into the world of fashion.

The dress code is The Garden of Time, drawing inspiration from a 1962 short story by J.G. Ballard. Anna Wintour has taken to Vogue’s platform to ensure all invited guests grasp the essence of this dress code: whatever they select should encapsulate the concept of fleeting beauty. The dress code, steeped in poetic imagery, beckons attendees to translate the passage of time into sartorial expressions of ephemeral elegance.

Curated by Andrew Bolton and Wendy Yu, the fashion exhibitions will convey a creative vision, paying homage to the rich tapestry of fashion history through captivating and multi-dimensional displays.

Additionally, attendees will be treated to a sneak peak of Andrew Bolton’s new show, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, where Bolton reaffirms the notion that fashion transcends mere attire – it is indeed an art form.

Bolton further elaborates that the exhibition will honor nature’s beauty, drawing parallels to Christopher Nolan’s epic film, Dunkirk by presenting three distinct perspectives: Land, Sea, and Sky.

“It is very much an ode to nature and the emotional poetics of fashion,” said Bolton.

The Costume Institute exhibition will be hosted by Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Hemsworth, Bad Bunny, and Conde Nast chief content officer and Vogue global editorial director Anna Wintour.

The Met Gala 2024 exhibition will showcase 250 carefully selected pieces from the institute’s vast collection of 33,000 pieces, many of which are seldom displayed to the public before.

Unified by the themes of femininity and fragility, these curated selections feature iconic works by renowned designers such as Elsa Schiaparelli, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, and others.

Given the historical scope spanning 400 years, some exhibits are far too delicate to be worn, risking damage if attempted. For instance, a Charles Frederick Worth ball gown dating back to 1877. However, through an innovative fusion of fashion and technology, these priceless pieces will still be showcased. Utilizing techniques like video animation, AI (artificial intelligence), CGI (computer-generated imagery), and more, visitors will have the opportunity to experience them in a unique and immersive manner. As customary, fashion icons and Hollywood’s A-listers will gather for the event. However, there’s a strict adherence to the designated dress code, as any deviation could result in exclusion from future galas. This underscores the significance of fashion as the primary focus of the evening, distinguishing it from an ordinary Oscar after-party.

Speaking about the upcoming edition of the Met Gala, Max Hollein, The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s French director and CEO, said in a statement: “The Met’s innovative spring 2024 Costume Institute exhibition will push the boundaries of our imagination and invite us to experience the multisensory facets of a garment.”

He added: “Sleeping Beauties will heighten our engagement with these masterpieces of fashion by evoking how they feel, move, sound, smell, and interact when being worn, ultimately offering a deeper appreciation of the integrity, beauty, and artistic brilliance of the works on display.”

The Met Gala serves as a significant fundraiser, consistently generating eight figure donations. To maintain an atmosphere of exclusivity and privacy, guests are required to relinquish their phones upon arrival, ensuring no posts on social media platforms. In addition to the captivating fashion exhibits, the event features a lavish dinner and a high-profile performance, often headlined by esteemed artists such as Rihanna.

While the guest list remains elusive, the notable attendees confirmed for the 2024 edition include Gisele Bundchen, Killers of the Flower Moon star Lily Gladstone, The Bear star Ayo Edebiri, Rihanna, Olivia Rodrigo, Uma Thurman, Sarah Paulson, and Cara Delevingne.