Vintage Archival: Iconic Styles Repurposed for the Met Gala

The Met Gala, renowned for its charity focus and unique red carpet looks, has displayed many instances of sustainability over the years. Especially at the Met Gala 2024, with the dress code being 'The Garden of Time', and the exhibition themed 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion', the red carpet spotlighted on eco-friendly fashion, reviving numerous vintage archival pieces, and featuring repurposed vintage looks. Highlighted here are the sustainable creations and one-of-a-kind, upcycled vintage looks from the Gala.

2024 VINTAGE ARCHIVAL COLLECTION

The Met Gala 2024 has witnessed many vintage pieces this year. Demi Moore, the Hollywood actress, wore a beautiful gown made from an unexpected vintage material to the Met Gala 2024. It's a Harris Reed gown which was upcycled from a vintage archival wallpaper, said to be around 60 years old silk wallpaper. This repurposed gown is crafted from a silk vintage wallpaper adorned with over 11,000 hours of embroidery and hand-painted chiffon petals. Ivy Getty wore a Connor Ives piece repurposed from 300-year-old wall hangings said to be originating from China’s Qing Dynasty, the vintage fabric had beautiful embroidery. Continuing the trend of vintage pieces making a statement at the Met Gala 2024, Chloë Sevigny wore a gown in Dilara Fındıkoglu, wearing a gown repurposed from deconstructed Victorian-era fabrics, with the look transformed with vintage inspired makeup and hair as well as a complete vintage attire. In keeping the vintage tradition, there was Rachel Sennott who was seen wearing a Balenciaga gown which Vogue has mentioned as a vintage creation made from fabrics from the 30s and 50s.

(Image credit: Met Gala, Getty, Vogue: From Left to Right - Demi Moore, Ivy Getty, Chloë Sevigny and Rachel Sennott)

VINTAGE COUTURE

Zendaya, the popular Hollywood actress, graced the Met Gala 2024 red carpet not once, but twice, making a grand entrance each time. For her second look, she wore a vintage archival gown, termed the 'never-before-worn' Givenchy gown from the 1996 Givenchy Spring Couture collection. Not just Zendaya, but supermodel Kendall Jenner was also seen wearing a vintage Givenchy gown, also a never-worn piece from the archives. Jenner remarked that this dress has been said to be "sleeping" for 25 years, fittingly describing it as "literally a sleeping beauty" in line with the theme.

(Image credit: Met Gala, WWD/Getty, Vogue: Zendaya and Kendall Jenner)

Phoebe Dynevor, widely known for her role in the "Bridgerton" series, made an appearance at the Met Gala in a Victoria Beckham gown. Vogue reported that Dynevor was the first to showcase the Victoria Beckham brand at the gala. Her gown, crafted from archival vintage lace tulle fabric, was dyed to a subtle faded rose hue. Meanwhile, Hollywood actress Amanda Seyfried who wanted a sustainable dress, was seen wearing a repurposed gown from Prada's 2009 collection. The gown featured silver antique fabric, reflecting Seyfried's choice to wear sustainable fashion at the Met Gala 2024.

(Image credit: Met Gala, Getty, Elle, Vogue: Phoebe Dynevor and Amanda Seyfried)

Penelope Cruz graced the Met Gala 2024 in a custom Chanel dress in black, meticulously crafted from vintage Chanel couture gowns fabric from the 40s and 50s, exhibiting exquisite craftsmanship. In contrast to Cruz's black gown, Charli XCX, the UK singer, wore a striking all-white upcycled dress. Designed by Marni's Francesco Risso, this piece was a creative patchwork ensemble made entirely from old vintage white t-shirts, combining fabrics from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, creatively repurposed for the event.

(Image credit: Met Gala, Getty, Vogue: Penelope Cruz and Charli XCX)

2022 PRE-WORN AND VINTAGE

The 2022 Met Gala featured Nicolas Ghesquière presenting pre-worn Louis Vuitton ensembles with an approach towards circular fashion. Emma Stone notably re-wore her Louis Vuitton silk dress from her wedding afterparty, while Hoyeon Jung, Gemma Chan, and other brand ambassadors, almost 14 members, appeared in previously worn Louis Vuitton outfits, some of which included archival pieces. This showcase highlighted the brand's commitment to sustainability and fashion reuse.

(Image credit: Met Gala, Getty, Vogue: Nicolas Ghesquière Louis Vuitton Collection)

Events like the Met Gala play a pivotal role in highlighting sustainable fashion. By showcasing these garments at such occasions, they inspire both designers and attendees to consider the environmental impacts of their fashion choices. These high-profile gatherings celebrate style and also advocate for a more sustainable approach in the fashion industry, illuminating the path toward a greener future.