Florals, vintage and a hummingbird turn out for New York's Met Gala
From Bad Bunny's Tudor-inspired hat and shoes resembling cloven hooves to the hummingbird perched delicately on Zendaya's neck, the hosts set the tone at fashion's biggest night -- the annual Met Gala in New York.
Florals, animals and vintage couture abounded at the so-called Oscars of the East Coast, a mammoth fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.
The extravaganza's dress code this year is "The Garden of Time" -- which draws inspiration from the 1962 short story of the same name, written by English writer J.G. Ballard.
In essence, it is about the ephemeral nature of beauty -- perhaps a weighty theme to press on the luminaries attending this year's gala.
For sheer drama, co-host Zendaya dominated the green and cream carpet in her first appearance at the Met Gala since 2019.
The 27-year-old star made a highly-anticipated appearance early on wreathed in jewel-toned lame, organza and satin designed by John Galliano, with vines crawling up her duchess corset and arms -- and what appeared to be a hummingbird nestled into her neck.
Hours later she made a surprise second appearance -- this time in dramatic, Mexican Gothic-inspired black, her two outfits bookending the fashion parade and underscoring the transience of beauty.
Most attendees chose to evoke awakenings and life -- and perhaps defied the theme by demonstrating the immortality of fashion through the centuries, with many 17th and 18th century flourishes.
Some -- such as singer Lana del Rey -- emphasised decay, with stark sculptural twigs rising from her gown to hold a veil of tulle like a canopy over her head.
But what exactly goes on inside is an enduring mystery.
Read more on FRANCE 24 English
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