Greta Lee has had an incredible year in the spotlight, quickly becoming a favourite of fans and critics alike for her fresh approach to red carpet dressing. So much so that for her first ever stint at the 2024 Met Gala—an event famed for its spectacular fashion—the pressure was certainly on.
This year’s theme was ‘The Garden of Time,’ which celebrates the Costume Institute’s latest exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” where delicate garments from the archive that are too fragile to ever be worn again are put on display. The dress code pays homage to J.G. Ballard’s tale of the same name, which explores themes of mortality, nature and time. Not only did Lee nail the brief, but the actress looked stunning doing it in an ethereal custom look by Loewe.
As a Global Brand Ambassador for the Spanish fashion house, Lee has been working with creative director Jonathan Anderson throughout this year’s awards season, so it was no surprise when she turned to him for this pièce de résistance.
Inspired by the moulded jersey shield tops from Loewe’s Spring/Summer 2023 women’s ready-to-wear collection, the column dress was crafted in fine white chantilly silk lace. It was embroidered with 3D flowers and featured a dramatic high neckline that extended out around her shoulders. While many stuck to a floral motif, Lee’s look was a breath of fresh air amid the other more moody expressions of the theme.
Speaking to Vogue, Lee said that she was drawn to the dress because of its contrast between hard and soft. “It has this really hard architectural shape but made of this transparent lace,” she told the outlet. “There are these broody flowers on it, which just make it such an immersive experience.”
She didn’t let her glam take a backseat, either, debuting asymmetrical ‘micro bangs’ with a choppy mullet-style haircut—which was actually a wig hand-cut by her hairstylist Jenny Cho. Her makeup, done by Nina Park, embraced a soft blushing glow with minimalist skin and natural, fluffy brows. And of course, who didn’t notice those diamond bands on her fingers, courtesy of De Beers? Utter perfection.
