Met Gala 2024 as it happened: Cardi B stops red carpet traffic, while Zendaya changes looks

Now that we’ve safely given up waiting for Rihanna to arrive or Zendaya to change into a third vintage outfit from designer John Galliano, it’s time to roll up the Met Gala 2024 red carpet.

The floral theme gave us plenty of striking looks, with very little fertiliser.

As expected, there were plenty of nude illusions, Kardashians and looks from event sponsor Loewe.

Now it’s time to sit back and see which trends take root away from the red carpet.

I’m already thinking of wearing a Lana Del Rey mosquito net to Australian Fashion Week on Monday.

Seeing who isn’t at the Met Gala is almost as big a deal as seeing who is.

A few no-shows stood out this year, one of the most shocking being Rihanna. She was largely expected to make an appearance, even if a late one (remember last year?), but The New York Times′ Jessica Testa, who was at the carpet, said publicists confirmed that rumours of the singer’s attendance were untrue. According to People, the singer came down with the flu shortly before the gala.

Blake Lively, along with her husband Ryan Reynolds, also didn’t appear. Lively has been praised for her incredible Met looks in the past, including the Atelier Versace gown with reversible train, which she wore when co-chairing the event in 2022. She’s been busy working on the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends with Us, so perhaps it was too difficult slotting the gala into her schedule.

Rumours had been swirling around whether Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce would strut the carpet this year, but this never eventuated. This is most likely because Swift is getting ready to kick off the European leg of her Eras Tour, which she will begin in Paris on May 9. She’s done plenty of whirlwind trips, but clearly decided to skip this one.

Other surprise no-shows included Jared Leto (who shocked crowds in his full Choupette cat costume last year), Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, Margot Robbie, and Timothee Chalamet, who has had a massive two years with Dune: Part 2 and Wonka.

Despite the fact that The Idea of You’s Nicholas Galitzine attended, his co-star Anne Hathaway did not. Similarly, Ben Affleck didn’t walk the carpet with his wife, Jennifer Lopez (we were all looking forward to some potentially grumpy pics of him). And Olivia Rodrigo wasn’t there either, perhaps too busy with her ongoing Guts world tour.

We were not graced with queen Beyonce’s presence – a shame since I bet she would have presented some kind of incredible garden-cowboy outfit – and Katy Perry was also a no-show despite a few people being fooled by an AI-generated image of the star on the carpet that circulated social media.

And finally, unlike last year, there was no cockroach on the carpet. I’m sure Anna Wintour was pleased about that.

Keep in mind, some celebrities may choose to slip into the museum through a back door to avoid the mass of flashing cameras. So, there’s a chance some of these people could be partying it up inside the Met as we speak.

From shimmering shadows to seemingly wet-look makeup (that somehow didn’t streak) some of the Met Gala’s beauty looks were almost as impressive as the fashion.

While I’d stop short of saying the Met Gala sets any trends - though perhaps pilling cardigans will be the sleeper consumer hit of the night, thanks to Kim Kardashian - there are a few common threads running through this year’s attendees.

‘Naked’ dressing

Kylie Minogue, Doja Cat (her second outfit, not the towel get-up she wore to depart the Mark Hotel) and Emily Ratajkowski take the prize for most sheer looks. Runner up: Rita Ora in her fringed Marni bodysuit.

The best naked dresses: Kylie Minogue, Emily Ratajkowski, Doja Cat - and runner-up Rita Ora. Credit: Getty; AP; Invision

Catsuits

Speaking of bodysuits, the Met Gala is the one red carpet of the year where a catsuit doesn’t even bat an eyelid. Models Anok Yai and Australian Adut Akech showed two different interpretations of the onesie.

Queens of the catsuit: Anok Yai and Australian Adut Akech.Credit: WireImage; Supplied

Statement jewels

Go big or go home is the mantra of the Met, and that extends to jewellery, with Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, and Demi Moore all sporting pieces that needed their own security detail, though in Moore’s case, the arrowheads on the shoulders of her Harris Reed gown should provide all the protection her jewels needed.

Going big: Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez and Demi MooreCredit: Getty; AP

From towel turbans to abundant bouquets, hats topped off this year’s most dramatic looks on the Met Gala red carpet. It’s a look so strong that Zendaya wore two hats, but not at the same time.

The red carpet for the Met Gala is so long that Zendaya has already changed out of her spectacular Maison Margiela dress into a second outfit.

Zendaya 2.0 at the 2024 Met Gala.Credit: Getty

The off-the-shoulder black gown with a substantial train and floral hat are both vintage creations by John Galliano, who was also responsible for Zendaya’s first look.

The Dune star is making the wait for Rihanna worthwhile with a second fashion history lesson, but we’re all keen for recess.

Zendaya’s two looks. Credit: Getty

Up until now, much of Sydney Sweeney’s signature look has been centred around her blonde hair – she’s the classic “girl next door” (albeit with a little more depth). But all that seems to have changed.

Goodbye blonde: Sydney Sweeney’s signature locks disappeared for the night. Credit: John Shearer/WireImage

The Anyone But You star debuted her jet-black bob at the Met Gala, creating a wonderful contrast with her powder-blue gown adorned with delicate flower detailing.

The new look is perhaps no surprise given her most recent role in the nunsploitation horror, Immaculate. But for anyone panicking about this apparent shift, worry not. We’re fairly certain it’s a wig, meaning Sweeney’s golden locks will likely return soon.

So, the celebrities have done their interviews, taken a million photos and made it up the Met steps without falling over. Where do they go now?

What happens inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art on gala day remains murky since no one is allowed to snap pics on their phones or post to social media while inside (though we all know that rule becomes a grey area in the museum’s bathrooms).

That being said, it’s largely reported that the invitees first walk through the special exhibition – in this case, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion – before making their way into the main room. If they know what’s good for them, they’ll refrain from touching the displays…

Once there, they presumably mingle with other guests while sipping on drinks, and find their carefully assigned seat (remember, everyone must sit in their Wintour-approved spot). A dinner follows, which is likely inspired by the theme of the evening. Last year, Vogue previewed the dinner, which was inspired by one of Karl Lagerfeld’s most famous gatherings, Paloma Picasso’s wedding reception.

This is often accompanied by a live performance of some kind. In the past, they’ve had Cher, Madonna, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Lizzo. Perhaps this year they’ll get a Wicked preview from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo? Or a new track from Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism album?

And, of course, it all ends with the famous Met Gala after parties. Brands, designers and celebrities often host their own festivities, with The Standard Hotel’s Boom Boom Room a common venue. This is yet another opportunity for A-listers to show off their wares, as many opt to change into something that’s perhaps a little more scandalous to party late into the night.

There have been some pretty cryptic interpretations of the theme so far, including singer Rita Ora and her husband, director Taika Waititi, who are both wearing Marni.

Taika Waititi and Rita Ora. Credit: AP

Ora’s body stocking ensemble with a multicoloured fringing is hard to decode. Maybe she’s hiding the themed part of the outfit under that curtain? Or perhaps her wet-look hair is meant to be a slow-drip irrigation system? Someone call our friends at ABC’s Gardening Australia for a clue.

As for Waititi, his all-brown leather suit screams just one thing: bark.

Bigger is always better for singer Cardi B who enlisted eight assistants to unfurl the gigantic tulle skirt of her black Met Gala gown on the red carpet.

Cardi B needed some help to make her big entrance. Credit: Invision

The scale of this dress is designed to be immortalised in memes, complete with a black turban rivalling Marge Simpson’s hairdo in height.

How the dress fits into the event’s garden theme is difficult to identify, unless it’s made of shade cloth.

That’s the shot. Credit: Invision