Gigi Hadid is known for effortlessly embracing themes, and she continues to do so at the 2024 Met Gala. This year’s theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” sees the supermodel joining forces with designer Thom Browne in The Garden of Time. Hadid’s ensemble for the event is undeniably Browne, featuring a white off-the-shoulder corset dress with exaggerated hips layered under a white silk moiré coat adorned with black duchesse satin tipping and 3D yellow roses. The meticulous attention to detail is evident, as the entire look was handcrafted by a team of more than 70 people over 13,500 hours. Following the Met Gala, the outfit will become a part of Browne’s permanent archive.

Browne expresses his admiration for Hadid, describing her as a talented individual who excels in everything she does. He wanted her look to embody the delicate beauty and intricate craftsmanship showcased in Andrew Bolton’s exhibit, blooming on the red carpet and within The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The outfit features thorn appliqués and a garden of yellow roses skillfully integrated into the design. The voluminous skirt of the outer layer alone required 8,500 hours of embroidery by a team of 40 people. The corset dress is also a testament to craftsmanship, with 20 artisans spending 5,000 hours hand-embroidering 2.8 million micro bugle beads onto it.

During her final fitting, Hadid had the opportunity to see and hold the 3D pieces of the outfit. She expresses her awe at the artistry involved, recognizing each individual rose as a work of art and acknowledging the incredible amount of time and effort put into the dress. Hadid feels honored to present the creation on behalf of the team and always walks the red carpet with that in mind, proud of their work.

Hadid’s stylist, Mimi Cuttrell, drew inspiration from garden statues enveloped in plants. She used visual tools like Pinterest to curate the perfect look, focusing on statues, structured stone columns, and garden elements such as vines and floral details. Cuttrell found inspiration in ancient Italian gardens, particularly the interplay of light and yellow tones against stone. This inspired the choice of yellow jewelry to complement Hadid’s ensemble.