The 2024 Met Gala red carpet was dominated by American designer Tommy Hilfiger, who created the most initial media buzz according to data analytics firms. His collaboration with K-pop group Stray Kids garnered over 40,000 online mentions in the past 15 hours. Following Hilfiger was Burberry, which dressed supermodel Naomi Campbell and actress Jodie Turner-Smith. Loewe, the Spanish brand sponsoring the gala, dressed 17 prominent guests, including Anna Wintour and Ariana Grande. Maison Margiela, led by John Galliano, was the fifth-most mentioned brand thanks to host Zendaya and co-chair Bad Bunny. Balmain and Thom Browne also made waves on the red carpet.
In previous years, luxury brands like Chanel, Versace, and Balenciaga have dominated the Met Gala. Chanel generated the highest media impact value in 2023, with Versace topping the charts in 2022. These brands have dressed celebrities like Dua Lipa, Nicole Kidman, and Blake Lively, creating significant buzz around the event. The Met Gala is known as the Oscars of the East Coast, where top designers vie for attention and visibility through celebrity endorsements and original, extravagant designs.
According to luxury expert Marilisa Barbieri, the red carpet at the Met Gala offers a pivotal platform for luxury brands to showcase their products to a global audience. A-list celebrities wearing designer creations at high-profile events like the Met Gala can amplify a brand’s visibility and generate buzz. This visibility can lead to actual business growth, as seen with Balenciaga after the 2021 Met Gala, where the brand received a significant boost in searches and rankings.
The Met Gala’s influence goes beyond just media buzz, as it can have a direct impact on a brand’s business success. Balenciaga experienced a spike in searches and rankings after styling high-profile stars like Rihanna and Kim Kardashian at the 2021 Met Gala. This led to a significant increase in brand exposure and recognition, ultimately positioning Balenciaga as one of the top fashion brands within its parent group, Kering.
Overall, the Met Gala continues to be a significant event for luxury brands, providing a valuable platform for showcasing their designs and reaching a global audience. Designers like Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, and Maison Margiela have successfully utilized the red carpet to generate buzz and increase their brand visibility. With the right celebrity endorsements and unique, extravagant designs, luxury brands can leverage the Met Gala to drive business growth and solidify their position in the fashion industry.
