With a dress code based around The Garden Of Time, a JG Ballard short story from 1962 and an overarching theme of Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion – a tribute to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition that showcases 250 vintage garments too fragile to be worn – the Met Gala returned more decadent and ethereal than ever last night (6 May). 

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour was joined by co-chairs Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny and Chris Hemsworth, while Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew were honorary chairs for the evening.

Here at Stylist, we collated the latest red carpet looks, as the attendees arrived, so sit back and enjoy this year’s Met Gala.

Zendaya served in this reawakening of an ocean blue and green gown by Maison Margiela’s John Galliano, styled by Law Roach. 

The actor is known for her inspirational dress choices and surprised everyone with an outfit change later in the night, as she rewalked the green carpet in a never-worn-before archival look by John Galliano for Givenchy that was released the year she was born. 

Wednesday star Gwendoline Christie was one of the first to arrive on the green carpet. She wore a gorgeous custom Maison Margiela red velvet gown with a black sheer cape. 

Chris Hemsworth, a co-chair of this year’s event, made his Met Gala debut in a cream Tom Ford suit. His wife, actor Elsa Pataky, stunned in a long-sleeve shimmery golden gown. 

The Dune actor brought the drama with this striking black oversized gown, which she removed to reveal a skin-tight sequin number underneath. 

J-Lo looked sensational as ever in a Schiaparelli dress with intricate silver leaf detail and a plunge neckline. 

Emma Chamberlain looked every bit the gothic goddess as she stepped out in a strapless Jean Paul Gaultier black dress with black ivy wrapped around her arms. 

Barbie director Greta Gerwig walked the green carpet in a custom outfit designed by Chemena Kamali.

Former Glee star Lea Michele emulated a modern-day princess in this aqua tulle gown by Rodarte. 

Sex Education actor Emma Mackey also wore a gorgeous nude Kamali number. 

Ayo Edebiri was in full bloom in this hand-painted Loewe gown designed by Jonathan Anderson that boasted vibrant 3D flowers. 

Gigi Hadid delivered a dose of old-school Hollywood in this custom Thom Browne white gown with a contrast edge and delicate yellow 3D roses. 

The Schitt’s Creek star looked as fashionable as ever in these statement Loewe floral trousers with a black sheer jacket. 

We adored One Day’s Ambika Mod Loewe gown. It contrasted contemporary elements with classic ones by including a black bodice.

Actor Mindy Kaling looked gorgeous in this billowing, voluminous dress from designer Gaurav Gupta.

Tyla leaned into the ‘time’ aspect of the dress code with this skin-tight sand-coloured number that represented the grains of sand in an hourglass. 

Challengers actor Josh O’Connor wore a custom Loewe suit by Jonathan Anderson, which was a twist on one Anderson designed for the fall 2024 menswear collection. 

Actor Rebecca Hall was a vision in this hand-painted Danielle Frankel dress that oozed romance with its delicate floral details. She paired it with floral gloves and colourful flowers painted onto her arms. 

Past Lives actor Greta Lee made her Met Gala debut in this sensational translucent white lace Loewe dress. 

And Just Like That star Sarah Jessica Parker was on the green carpet in a structured, sequinned birdcage gown by Richard Quinn. 

Jessica Biel brought a bright pop of colour to the carpet with this perfect pink gown. 

Kylie Minogue was the moment in this Diesel dress that details a sequin silhouette. 

There’s nothing we love more than co-ordinated couples and this monochrome matching moment from Hannah Bagshawe and Eddie Redmayne is divine. 

Ariana Grande looked every bit of her upcoming role in Wicked as Glinda the Good Witch in angelic custom Loewe by Jonathan Anderson. 

Wearing crisp, white Oscar de la Renta, Kris Jenner was the first of the Kardashian-Jenner family to arrive on the green carpet.     

Tom Ford looked chic and sharp in shades, a bow tie and a red velvet suit jacket. 

K-pop star Jennie Kim is always a favourite on the carpet. This year’s cut-out Alaïa dress in blue, designed by Pieter Mulier, didn’t disappoint. 

Penelope Cruz provided a fashion reawakening for Chanel, as this elegant gown is an amalgamation of designs from the 40s, 50s and the most recent Virginie Viard collection. 

We’re obsessed with Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s red hair and how it complemented her stunning navy denim gown by Zac Posen for Gap. 

Serena Williams was forever serving in this one-shoulder golden dress with black gloves and boots. 

Phoebe Dynevor brought some Bridgerton magic to the green carpet with this blush pink custom gown by Victoria Beckham.

Kendall Jenner graced the carpet in this gorgeous Givenchy dress by Alexander McQueen from the autumn 1999 collection. 

Sarah Paulson looked pretty in pink in this dainty Prada dress adorned with bows. 

Kim Kardashian has arrived in a custom silver Maison Margiela gown. 

Lil Nas X was clad in 50,000 Swarovski crystals in his custom outfit from Raul Lopez. 

Kylie Jenner opted for some quiet luxury with this strapless dress by Oscar de la Renta. 

Sydney Sweeney sported a jet black bob which matched with the floral details on her blue tulle Miu Miu gown. 

Michelle Williams sported a new pink pixie cut with her white, puff sleeve Prada dress. 

Rachel Zegler looked like a real-life Disney princess in a blue Dior ballgown. 

Mamma Mia actor Amanda Seyfried looked mesmerising in this metallic Prada gown with floral embellishments and a bright purple lip. 

Queen Latifah wore a custom black gathered coat over a floral black Thom Browne gown. 

Fresh off the release of her new album on Friday, Dua Lipa arrived wearing a custom Marc Jacobs gown composed of a low-rise lace skirt, bodice and gloves.

Taking the Garden Of Time brief seriously, Lizzo’s floral-infused dress, complete with petals, was designed by Paris-based label Weinsanto. 

Nicole Kidman recreated an iconic 1950s couture gown by Cristóbal Balenciaga in this monochrome look. 

Forever our favourite It girls, Sienna Miller and Zoe Saldana were sporting some boho chic on the carpet, wearing pieces from Chemena Kamali’s autumn 2024 collection. 

Lana del Rey wore a striking outfit inspired by the late Lee McQueen’s 2006 collection titled The Widows Of Culloden. Her outfit was designed by Seán McGirr. 

Laufey’s delicate pink princess gown was designed by Prabal Gurung. 

Killers Of The Flower Moon actor Lily Gladstone looked as elegant as ever in a black floor-length gown with gold embellishments and a sheer cape. 

Saltburn actor Barry Keoghan looked dapper in a velvet espresso-coloured Burberry suit with a top hat and ruffle neck tie. 

Cardi B’s black ball gown was one of the showstopper outfits of the night. 

We’re obsessed with Elle Fanning’s Balmain bodycon dress, designed by Oliver Rousteing, which turned her into a visionary water goddess. 

Camila Cabello looked gorgeous in this golden gown, which she paired with a real rose immersed in a block of ice as her clutch to create this final fairytale look. 

Michelle Yeoh looked incredible in this textured foil Balenciaga gown and her new bob haircut. 

Priscilla actor Cailee Spaeny wore a beautiful white gown with delicate silver flowers and pearls. 

Keke Palmer arrived wrapped in sequins in this glamorous gown and sported a high-rise pony tail. 

Brie Larson’s sleek and stylish Prada dress with a tulle silhouette was another delight to grace the carpet. 

Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey wore a white custom tuxedo by Jonathan Anderson, which was festooned with jewelled peonies to pay tribute to the theme. 

Demi Moore wore an eye-catching custom Harris Reed ensemble made from upcycled wallpaper. 

Harris Reed is known for his larger-than-life creations and his own custom outfit was one of the night’s showstoppers.

Demi Lovato wore an ethereal silver sequin gown designed by Prabal Gurung, which had over 500 hand-cut flowers. 

Taylor Russell made her Met Gala debut in a Loewe dress that boasted a high-neck corset and a circle skirt with a thigh split. 

Sebastian Stan’s chic all-black ensemble was finished with some floral decals on the edge of his long-line jacket. 

Another sweet co-ordinated couple, Gabrielle Union wore a mermaid-style green and purple dress from Michael Kors, while Dwayne Wade chose a lilac Versace suit. 

Quannah Chasinghorse is the belle of the ball in this lilac princess silhouette gown designed by H&M. 

Barbie star Hari Nef stunned in this pearl white, strapless gown, which was embellished with an enormous white bow on the back. 

Alia Bhatt is a vision in this feminine, floral sequin number. 

Naomi Campbell sported a shimmering aqua tassel dress from Burberry. 

Keeley Hawes and her husband, Succession’s Matthew MacFadyen, looked chic together. Hawes wore a Bardot, puff-sleeve floral black dress and MacFadyen opted for a navy velvet suit with black lapels. 

Elizabeth Debicki looked exquisite in a Dior dress that oozed elegance. 

Naomi Watts stunned in this black Balenciaga sequinned gown, which she paired with a black wrap and long white gloves. 

Doja Cat paid homage to the wet T-shirt look with this striking twist on the theme. 

Cara Delevingne offered some body armour glam with this Stella McCartney silver top and white ruched maxi skirt. 

Nicki Minaj encapsulated the floral theme perfectly with this custom Marni dress by Francesco Risso.

Pamela Anderson wore a custom Oscar de la Renta gown, designed by Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, which was made from almost 200 carats of diamonds. 

Lily James wore a pale pink Erdem gown for the Met Gala, which was delicately covered with black roses. 

Sabrina Carpenter sported a strapless Oscar de la Renta black and blue gown with a dramatic drop waist. 

Images: Getty