Zendaya, Gigi Hadid on the theme, Cardi B makes an impression

NEW YORK – The Met Gala was in full bloom on Monday. The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, lined with white roses and greenery to match the colors of the tapestry itself, came to life during fashion’s biggest night.

Stars took the gala’s “The Garden of Time” dress code to heart at the invitation-only event, creating floral bliss at the annual Met Ball, which doubles as a fundraising dinner for the latest exhibition at the Costume Institute of the museum, featuring fragile and precious garments for the 2024 theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”

From Zendaya’s two looks and Usher’s ‘romantic’ look to Lana Del Rey’s ethereal ensemble and all the things you didn’t see, USA TODAY has an insider’s look at the highlights from before, during and after the Met Gala .

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The stars were seen at the 2024 Met Gala. USA TODAY’s Anika Reed had a front row seat to the action and chatted with Usher about his look.

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Zendaya opens – and closes – the Met Gala red carpet with multiple looks

The evening belonged to Zendaya, who hasn’t been seen on the steps of the Met since 2019’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion.”

After the sartorial look of her “Dune 2” and “Challengers” press tours, all eyes were on Zendaya as one of the evening’s co-chairs.

“Hopefully at the Met, since I’ve been away for so many years, maybe this time I won’t be as stressed,” Zendaya told USA TODAY ahead of the 2024 event.

If she was stressed, she showed it in not one but two stunning looks to help open and wrap the Met Gala carpet. Joined by celebrity stylist and self-proclaimed “Image Architect” Law Roach, Zendaya posed for her life in a deep blue and forest green dress from Maison Margiela by John Galliano, topped with a feathered hat that matched the peacock sensibility of the look.

There was a murmur as shouts and fanfare erupted from the underside of the carpet: who could it be? Zendaya, of course, again in a more dramatic silhouette for her flowing black Victorian-Ggevenchy dress by John Galliano and a bouquet of roses as a headpiece. Although she didn’t stop for interviews, Zendaya smiled shyly before heading back into the party.

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Usher, Gigi Hadid, Mindy Kaling: Met Gala ‘Garden in Time’ dress code gets a rose

Fans lined up for hours on Fifth Avenue to get a glimpse of the handmade designs and star power that USA TODAY got to see up close — and talk to the celebrities about.

Gigi Hadid told us about the interpretation of the theme in her Thom Browne dress: “There’s a lot, but there are some beautiful flowers with 3D beads that look like the book,” she said, referring to the short story of the same name JG Ballard from 1962 that inspired the book. the theme of the evening. “Well, that’s glass, but you know what.”

For a soulful singer like Usher, romance is key.

“Alexander McQueen, it’s unique. (The brand’s creative director) Seán McGirr and I decided to put this amazing thing together. Exotic, romantic, but still within the garden theme,” he told USA TODAY.

“There are all different types of gardens. Some get a bit dark, but you have to enjoy it, right?” he said with a wink and a devilish grin.

Mindy Kaling took the evening’s theme literally, wearing a flowing light brown Gaurav Gupta dress, with a large swirling floral detail on the back.

NFL player Stefon Diggs, one of many celebrities dressed by H&M, said: “They put together a great look, so I’m very happy.”

“It’s an honor to go to the Met Gala,” said Diggs. “And then to be around such great people, some of the best people in the world, some of the best people at whatever they do.”

The wide receiver was recently traded to the Houston Texans and said his new state is “great. The roads are a little crazy! But I’m getting used to it. The weather is great, the people are great; I’m excited about this years.”

Tyla gets help in her sand dress from Balmain

South African singer Tyla traded ‘Water’ for the sands of time with her sculpted Balmain dress and matching hourglass bag, complete with real sand. A small group of helpers had to physically hoist the 22-year-old and her flowing train up the last few steps of the carpet while gently holding them.

Kim Kardashian and Lana Del Rey share a Met Gala moment

Lana Del Rey Channeled a Glowing Forest Fairy Nymph for Her Met Gala Moment, and She Didn’t Have to ramify too far to find a friend who shares an embrace with Kim Kardashian.

“First of all we had to make it McQueen, so the shape is McQueen. And we would never make butterflies, not for this,” Del Rey told USA TODAY alongside McGirr, who said, “We were inspired by this idea of Mother Nature… everything is hand embroidered.”

Kardashian, wearing a bluish silver floral Maison Margiela dress by John Galliano, chatted animatedly with Del Rey through the veil of her tricky ensemble.

Kardashian’s sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner and mother Kris Jenner, along with boyfriend Corey Gamble, made it a family affair, although they all walked the carpet separately.

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Brie Larson and Ariana Grande, Donald Glover and Colman Domingo reunite

More reunions and special guests marked the evening.

Two of fashion’s most daring and exciting men found their way together: Donald Glover and Colman Domingo shook hands, chatted and posed together. Teyana Taylor and Jon Batiste crawled over each other and shared a hug.

Jeff Goldblum served as a hot-ticket invite, stirring up excitement from Ariana Grande and Queen Latifah, among others. Grande, who arrived to chants from the crowd with “Wicked” co-star Cynthia Erivo, also received adoration and a big hug from girlfriend Brie Larson: “I saw you and (you) look like an angel!”

Espresso singer Sabrina Carpenter and Saltburn star Barry Keoghan found each other at the top of the stairs, holding hands.

Lea Michele glided up the stairs in a teal blue Rodarte dress with a special guest: her baby bump, which she cradled as she posed for photos.

Sarah Jessica Parker, who paired her pearls and fascinator with a sparkling silver and nude Richard Quinn dress, arrived with good friend and ‘Bravo’ extraordinaire Andy Cohen. The two chatted and laughed as they climbed the stairs, and Cohen joked to reporters that Parker would “take over Che Diaz’s role” in “And Just Like That.”

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Celebrities attended afterparties, including Cardi B and Offset

The Mark Hotel served as a new red carpet for the celebrity visitors, who returned from the carpet to screams from fans hoping for a glimpse. It was an excellent place for star-spotting – and for caviar and after-hours drinks with The Macallan. Rosalía, Zoe Saldaña, Doja Cat, Cardi B and more made their way through the hotel entrance, right next to the Macallan afterparty, where designer Edvin Thompson of Theophilio and Albert Ayal of Up Next Designer were spotted in the intimate room.

At an after-hours party with Revolve that stretched into the wee hours, Cardi B and Offset arrived at Midtown hotspot Silencio shortly after 2 a.m. Cardi B opted for a red, figure-hugging dress and a dazzling diamond necklace, a far cry from the lavish, dramatic dress she wore on the carpet (which the train took a team of people to carry through the Mark).

Contributions: Patrick Ryan