THE 2024 MET GALA provided aspirational and inspirational looks as well as awe-inspiring historical references. The dress code for the event was based on the title of a short story by J.G. Ballard called “The Garden of Time.” It gave us looks that ranged from fantastical to floral, as well as some that harked back to the past, referencing the Costume Institute’s theme, “Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion.”
Both Amanda Seyfried and Michelle Williams chose to wear stunning headpieces for the event.
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Let’s start with Seyfried and her Chaumet diamond tiara, which topped her silver hair paint with swirling leaves and vines. Combined with her Prada silver gown with pink florets, the look was enchanting. Chaumet is a house that dates back to 1780 and built its early reputation catering to the aristocracy in France, which included Marie Antoinette, Empress Joséphine and Emperor Napoleon. It went through a few changes in the mid-19th century, and then in 1885, Joseph Chaumet joined the company and the named changed to Chaumet. The company was known for its naturalistic themes throughout the Belle Epoque and Art Nouveau periods and also produced many famous tiaras that have been the subjects of jewelry books. The company, which was acquired in 1999 by the LVMH group, continues producing elegant and desirable designs; archival influences can often be seen in their more recent designs. The tiara Seyfried wore was in keeping with the house’s aesthetic and also might provide inspiration for a new generation of collectors.
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Michelle Williams wore a fringe necklace on her head that is a reproduction of one that Chanel designed in 1932 and was styled the same way during that time. It was part of the only fine jewelry collection that Coco Chanel ever designed herself. The history goes something like this: Coco Chanel was approached by De Beers. Economic depression had hit the diamond business worldwide, and to help relaunch diamonds, De Beers asked Chanel to develop and show a collection of diamond jewelry. She created a collection primarily inspired by the constellations, which was shown for two weeks in November of 1932 in a private setting. The collection was called ‘Bijoux de Diamants’. Pieces were set with a minimal amount of metal showing so the diamonds sparkled and shone with each movement. The styles ranged from large starbursts to shooting stars to delicate fringes (such as in the necklace Williams wore on her head), as well as Art Deco-inspired motifs. The house of Chanel didn’t launch its own fine jewelry collection again until 1993.
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