H&M made its mark on the fashion world’s grandest evening, The Met Gala, on May 6th. Awkwafina, Adwoa Aboah, Paloma Elsesser, Quannah Chasinghorse, Hari Nef, and Stefon Diggs graced the red carpet adorned in exclusive H&M creations.
H&M’s internal design team, renowned for their exclusive collections like H&M Studio, crafted unique ensembles inspired by this year’s Costume Institute exhibition titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” and the Gala’s dress code, “The Garden of Time”. Delving into the archives dating back to the brand’s inception in 1947 as a quaint Swedish boutique, they drew inspiration from the optimism and femininity of late 1940s and 50s fashion. These archival treasures were reimagined into contemporary pieces, featuring dramatic embellishments and soft, romantic hues echoing the exhibition’s theme.
Included in this special collection are two pieces from H&M’s archives: a peach ruffle-trimmed maxi dress crafted from recycled polyester and a pale pink dress made from organic silk, viscose, and recycled polyester. These items, originally from H&M’s 2017 Conscious Exclusive collection, not only showcase fashion’s emotional bond with the natural world but also highlight the brand’s commitment to sustainability. They will be on display in the upcoming spring exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York from May 10 to September 2.
The Met Gala serves as a platform for H&M to showcase its prowess in custom-made fashion. This year’s theme provided an opportunity to create modern, bespoke designs inspired by the brand’s heritage, donned with grace and elegance by their esteemed guests.
Ann-Sofie Johansson, Head of Design Womenswear and Creative Advisor at H&M, expressed her excitement, stating, “The Met Gala is a cultural phenomenon, and a moment for H&M to show off what we can do in terms of custom-made fashion. This year’s theme allowed us to create modern, one-of-a-kind designs inspired by our company’s rich heritage, worn to stunning effect by our guests.”
Adwoa Aboah shared her sentiments, stating, “My Met Gala looks are always very instinctive – I love leaning into the theme, but I always want to feel completely like myself with the confidence to stand out from the rest. We created a look to mark a very special moment in my life.”
Among the standout ensembles, Awkwafina donned a custom gown inspired by an archival “Hennes” wedding dress, featuring a tulip skirt silhouette in luxurious cream silk-zibeline adorned with hand-embroidered daisy decorations. Paloma Elsesser opted for a custom two-piece ensemble, featuring a metallic bodice crafted using innovative 3D-printing techniques paired with a champagne-colored silk taffeta skirt. Quannah Chasinghorse showcased a forget-me-not blue gown reminiscent of a flower in bloom, paying homage to her Alaskan heritage. Adwoa Aboah exuded contemporary femininity in a fiery red two-piece ensemble, while Hari Nef exuded old-school opulence in a creamy taffeta column gown. Stefon Diggs epitomized relaxed tailoring in a midnight-blue crushed velvet suit, blending athleticism with elegance.
Each ensemble bespoke of H&M’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and timeless style, marking a memorable presence at the esteemed Met Gala.
