The first Monday in May is just around the corner, promising an evening teeming with megastars like Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, and Bad Bunny. All the excitement on New York City’s 5th Avenue can mean only one thing: it’s the Met Gala, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual charity event celebrating and fundraising for its renowned Costume Institute.
Every year, the gala theme takes its cue from the latest costume exhibition. Sometimes it's literal, like last year’s "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," while other times it's left open-ended. Right now, we’re dealing with the latter: "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" — either way, it lends itself to beautiful outfits that interpret modern trends. And don't forget, we love a good fashion-inspired interior design trend here at Livingetc, too.
250 exquisite pieces plucked from over 400 years of fashion history are posed to be featured — some too delicate to wear, hence ‘reawakened’ through the exhibition’s display. Expect a parade of ethereal beauty by iconic designers like Elsa Schiaparelli, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and Hubert de Givenchy, all telling a story — a short story, in fact, titled The Garden of Time. It's a tale written back in 1962 by English author J.G. Ballard, which dives into the cyclical nature of creation and destruction in the natural world.
The book’s title, and corresponding gala dress code, hint at the frustratingly beautiful essence of nature, yes — but also fashion: the transience of trends, the exhibition’s glamorous but unwearable garments, and the eventual degradation of beauty.
The concept is a tad ominous, but ultimately optimistic: Mother Nature builds up to break down and build up again. And while a garden might seem more tranquil and uneventful than, say, volcanic regions or the California coast, if you’ve ever watched films like Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, you know there's plenty of fashion-forward mischief to be had in the foliage. So, expect attire to be more than just straw hats and chemises. Think florals, botanicals, and idyllic nature scenes inspired by the natural world — just with an edge.
What that edge exactly is will be left for interpretation. Fortunately, fashion forecasts are kind of my thing. Last year, I dissected the Met Gala styles professionally, and now I’m bringing that expertise home (literally) because, let’s face it: our interiors deserve to be on theme, too.
So, without further ado, here's how I'd style a home in honor of this year’s "Sleeping Beauties" theme. Rise and shine, princesses — it’s Ball time!
Met Gala 2024 Decor: "Sleeping Beauties"
Price: $38
These taper candles hit the mark with their delightful sweetness. Handcrafted in Mexico, their intricate floral details make them tempting as decorative pieces, almost too beautiful to burn.
Price: $39.50
A nod to the natural cycle of decay and renewal, these ceramic vases boast a charmingly weathered surface, while the soft baby blue hue adds a fresh touch.
From: $58
Channeling the enchantment of Beauty and the Beast, this glass cloche invites you to showcase your favorite flowers or foliage, adding to the theme of delicate beauty.
Price: $2,699
This Pottery Barn dresser feels storied with its cheerful demeanor and lived-in look. It's seen some things, and it's ready to share its tales.
Price: $795
Perfectly in line with the theme, this BR Home chandelier drips with cascades of ink-black beads, exuding grandeur, whimsy, and ominous elegance.
Price: $448
Add natural charm to any room with this tree motif table, adorned with intricate garden details of birds and berries in gleaming hand-polished brass.
Price: $128
Few things lend as much storybook charm as a birdcage. With its antiqued finish and elegant details, it’s reminiscent of a bygone era. Would look particularly charming filled with similarly aged objects or dried flowers.
Price: $399
The heavily antiqued glass of this Pottery Barn mirror offers a rustic romance, with reflections filtered to create a unique interpretation of nature's breakdown.
Price: $175
Symbolic of serene ponds and floral gardens, I’ve opted for a swan motif porcelain salt cellar. It feels quite mysterious in its black hue, lending a captivating edge to any table setting.
Price: $190
Much like the Institute’s archival clothing, this mini candelabra steals the spotlight with its vintage appeal. It boasts an impressive eleven candle spikes, perfect for gracing a side table with old-world charm.
Price: $55
This serene painterly scene captures the beauty of nature at its finest, evoking the essence of spring while maintaining timeless appeal throughout the year.
Price: $149
Beautiful but dangerous, this snake motif table lamp strikes a balance between elegance and decay, perfectly aligned with our garden-inspired theme.
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