Podcast Summary: All Of It – Recapping the 2024 Met Gala

Host: Tiffany Hansen (in for Alison Stewart)
Guest: Vanessa Friedman, Chief Fashion Critic, New York Times
Date: May 7, 2024
Main Theme:
An engaging breakdown of the 2024 Met Gala, exploring its theme (“The Garden of Time”), notable fashion moments, the evolution of red carpet styles, and what the event represents in culture and fashion.

Overview

This episode recaps the 2024 Met Gala, focusing on how attendees interpreted the “Garden of Time” theme, standout red carpet moments, memorable looks from both women and men, and reflections on the changing culture of the event. Vanessa Friedman offers expert commentary on the intention, impact, and spectacle of the evening, fielding questions from listeners and engaging in witty, insightful discussion with host Tiffany Hansen.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The 2024 Met Gala Theme: “The Garden of Time”

• Expectations and Interpretations
  • Vanessa Friedman anticipated “a lot of florals” and hoped for vintage interpretations reflecting the passage of time, inspired by the J.G. Ballard short story behind the theme, but saw that only a few guests really followed this concept deeply.

    “I was expecting a lot of florals and that did in fact turn out to be the case. I was hoping for a lot of vintage inspired by the idea of time. That turned out to be not so much the case.” — Vanessa Friedman [03:04]

2. Who 'Understood the Assignment’?

• Bad Bunny (co-chair, Maison Margiela):
  • His look mimicked the aristocratic count from Ballard’s story, carrying black roses and donning a count-like presence.
• Tyla (Balmain):
  • Her dress symbolized the sand in an hourglass—“a very imaginative interpretation of the theme.”
• Zendaya (co-chair):
  • Notably executed the time/vintage brief with two dramatic looks:
    • First: Maison Margiela couture by John Galliano (aquatic, fantastical, “tinged with another world”).
    • Second: Givenchy couture dress from 1996 (by Galliano, the same year Zendaya was born), hitting the theme’s ‘time’ element precisely.
    • Vanessa praises Zendaya’s creative partnership with stylist Law Roach.

    “She absolutely did [understand the vintage assignment]… they’ve been, you know, always, I think, extremely creative.” — Vanessa Friedman [06:07]

3. Red Carpet Evolution: More Restrained or Just Different?

• Past v. Present:
  • Compared to previous extravaganzas—like Rihanna as the Pope or Katy Perry as a chandelier—this year offered more ‘restrained’ looks, though ‘restraint’ is relative.

    “I think restraint is a very funny word to use in terms of the Met Gala, which usually feels like the most unrestrained evening of the year…” — Vanessa Friedman [08:48]

  • The shift was seen as a possible, needed ‘reset’ after years of outsized, meme-worthy costumes.

4. The ‘Naked’ Trend and Meme Culture

• Despite a toned-down atmosphere, “naked” looks persisted:
  • Notable examples: Rita Ora (Marnie necklace and bodysuit), Doja Cat (wet T-shirt dress), Greta Lee (sheer lace Loewe), Elle Fanning (Balmain saran wrap look).
• Vanessa notes, “There is a certain amount of meme baiting that happens at the Met.” [10:08]

5. Spotlight on Designers and Fabrication

• Harris Reed and Demi Moore:
  • Demi’s look featured “repurposed vintage wallpaper,” cleverly melding florals and vintage themes. Both she and designer Harris Reed walked the carpet together—an unusual occurrence.

    “Demi was actually wearing a look that started with vintage repurposed vintage wallpaper… He [Harris Reed] was definitely trying to touch on both the idea of vintage and the idea of florals.” — Vanessa Friedman [10:58]

6. Menswear Moments

• Standout Men’s Looks:
  • Lil Nas X (Luar), Colman Domingo (Willy Chavaria) — “definitely made a statement.”
  • Meanwhile, some men (Donald Glover, Chris Hemsworth) opted for more relaxed, pared-back styles (e.g., unbuttoned shirts, ivory tuxes).
• Jeremy Strong (Succession):
  • Wore Loro Piana—“the epitome of stealth wealth”—continuing the brand’s association with his character on Succession.

    “He apparently was still flying the flag.” — Vanessa Friedman [12:13]

7. Met Gala Mechanics and Social Rituals

• Who Pays to Attend?
  • Celebrities usually attend as guests of fashion brands (who buy tables); however, they’re free to donate as individuals.

    “When celebrities attend the Met, they attend as guests of a brand... the brand has bought the table and they are sitting at the table. They are free to donate...and I think many of them do because this year, we just learned the gala brought in a record $26 million.” — Vanessa Friedman [12:56]

• Red Carpet Logistics:
  • Guests sometimes change out of oversized, elaborate costumes for comfort or after-parties, but there’s “a lot of commitment to a look that happens at the Met.”
  • Once inside, no social media or reporting is allowed—mystique remains part of the tradition.

    “Once people go into the dinner, there is no social media and there is no reporting. So what goes on in the dinner stays in the dinner.” — Vanessa Friedman [14:20]

8. The New Cultural Icons

• Zendaya as the New Rihanna?
  • Rihanna missed the event due to illness, spurring discussion about the evolving roster of Met Gala icons. Vanessa acknowledges Zendaya’s growing status as a “culture shaper.”

    “…I think there’s no question that Zendaya is becoming one of those culture shapers.” — Vanessa Friedman [15:12]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Theme Interpretation:

  “I was hoping for a lot of vintage inspired by the idea of time. That turned out to be not so much the case.” — Vanessa Friedman [03:04]

• Zendaya’s Style:

  “She absolutely did [understand the vintage assignment].” — Vanessa Friedman [06:07]

• On Restraint:

  “I think restraint is a very funny word to use in terms of the Met Gala…” — Vanessa Friedman [08:48]

• On ‘Naked’ Looks:

  “There is a certain amount of meme baiting that happens at the Met.” — Vanessa Friedman [10:08]

• On Event Mystique:

  “…there is no social media and there is no reporting. So what goes on in the dinner stays in the dinner.” — Vanessa Friedman [14:20]

• On Zendaya’s Cultural Status:

  “I think there’s no question that Zendaya is becoming one of those culture shapers.” — Vanessa Friedman [15:12]

Key Timestamps

• [02:04] Introduction & Purpose of the Met Gala
• [03:04] Expectations versus reality of the “Garden of Time” theme
• [04:46] Zendaya’s double red carpet moment
• [06:25] Law Roach and Zendaya’s fashion partnership
• [07:04] Discussion of Kim Kardashian’s corseting and the return of extreme shaping
• [08:48] The evolution and partial ‘reset’ in Gala style
• [09:51] Persistence of ‘naked’ looks despite changing trends
• [10:58] Harris Reed and Demi Moore’s collaborative appearance
• [11:39] Men’s fashion highlights
• [12:56] Fundraising mechanics and who pays
• [13:31] Social rituals and the mystique of post-red carpet events
• [14:52] Zendaya’s new pop culture standing in the wake of Rihanna’s absence

Conclusion

The episode offers a spirited, expert-led examination of the 2024 Met Gala’s shifting fashion landscape, the creative successes (and excesses) of the night, and cultural undercurrents shaping one of the world’s most famous red carpets. Vanessa Friedman’s insider analysis, paired with listener questions and host commentary, makes this recap vivid and accessible even for those who missed the event itself.