Sleeping Beauties at The MET
📍 Upper East Side, NYC
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Dress || Heels || Similar Handbag || Earrings || Lip Color
Each May, any self-described fashion lover will have their attention on the Metropolitan Museum of Art to watch the red carpet for the annual MET Gala. The Gala is dedicated as the kickoff event for the Costume Institute’s latest exhibit. This season’s collection, called Sleeping Beauties, is a multi-sensory masterpiece. Using the uniting theme of Nature, the exhibit attempts to reawaken pieces that can never be worn again because of their status as a work of art. Between three groups (Earth, Air, and Water), over 220 garments and accessories are on display.
On our most recent trip to the city, we took advantage of our MET Member hours and viewed the exhibit without the crowds. It allowed us to view the collection at our leisure, savoring every stunning piece. If you can’t visit the exhibit before it closes in September, I wanted to give you a chance to see a few of my favorite pieces.
Dior Favorites
I’ve long known that I have a deep love for Christian Dior, particularly anything from the ‘New Look’ era of the 1940s. Now, imagine my sheer delight to find an entire gallery dedicated to Dior’s Garden right in the heart of the exhibit. One piece that I wish I could wear right out of the museum was the stunning black cocktail dress from the 2013/2014 winter and autumn collection (Above-Top Right). A strapless LBD seems simple enough, the intricate and monochromatic details took my breath away. A combination of silk overlaid with black leather flowers and black glass seed beads makes this a beautifully understated piece.
Floral and Fauna
As you walk along the exhibit, you’ll instantly see the running theme of Nature embedded throughout. From flowers to birds and even bugs, Mother Nature has long inspired the fashion world. While I knew I would love the florals and ocean life motifs, the biggest surprise was how much I loved the insect galleries. Bugs are not it for me, but you cannot deny how beautiful they can be when looked at with a discerning eye. A particular dress that made me stop in my tracks was a white silk dress from Dauphinette (Above-Bottom Right). Although impossibly fragile, the dozens of beetle brooches almost made it look like a suit armor. In fact, many of the pieces from this part of this exhibit, with their iridescent patterns, toe the line between whimsical and melancholy.
The Grand Finale
The final gallery is appropriately titled “The Mermaid Bride”. A wedding ensemble (Above-Bottom Left) created by Callot Soeurs in 1930 serves as the focal point. Mind you, that was at the very onset of the Great Depression. Still, that didn’t stop socialite Natalie Potter from donning her dream gown on her wedding day. To bring this gallery into the 21st century, scan the QR code to a chat with Natalie Potter herself. Ask away about her wedding day and get to know her through the power of AI.
This post is honestly just scratching the surface, if that, of all that Sleeping Beauties can offer. It is truly a stunning display of craftsmanship and imagination that is often critical to the fashion world. While the MET Museum calls visitors from around the world for countless reasons, this exhibit alone is worth a visit. Take as much time as you can in each gallery, and don’t be surprised if you need to make a second visit. I just might see you there!
Love from NYC,
Katie
Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England.