From Decadence to Decay: How Jordan Roth’s Bold Choice at the 2024 Met Gala Redefined Elegance






Why Jordan Roth Chose a ‘Decaying’ Valentino Look for the 2024 Met Gala

Why Jordan Roth Chose a ‘Decaying’ Valentino Look for the 2024 Met Gala

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Jordan Roth, known as one of the most theatrical guests at the Met Gala each year, made an unforgettable statement this time around with his avant-garde choice. Let’s delve into why he chose a “decaying” look inspired by Valentino’s couture house.

Understanding the Met Gala’s Garden of Time Theme

The 2024 Met Gala embraced an enchanting theme, “The Garden of Time,” inviting guests to celebrate nature’s ephemeral beauty through fashion. This provided the perfect canvas for Jordan Roth and stylist Michael Philouze to create a statement piece.

The Poetic Vision Behind the ‘Decaying’ Look

Roth’s choice was deeply symbolic, aiming to capture the life cycle of flowers—from blooming to withering—through his custom-made Valentino cape. Inspired by former creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli’s vision, this design wasn’t merely about aesthetics; it was a philosophical exploration.

Symbolism and Craftsmanship

  • Materials Used: The cape utilized over 20 meters of brown tulle and 120 meters of silk taffeta, handcrafted in 17 different colors to represent the diverse life stages of a flower.
  • Artisan Effort: With 1,800 hours invested into creating 3D roses and an additional 600 hours for the cape itself, the piece was a testament to dedication and artistry.

The Emotional Connection with Pierpaolo Piccioli

Roth’s choice of this particular design held personal significance as it represented the final couture creation by Piccioli. This connection added an extra layer of meaning, emphasizing themes of transition and closure.

Beauty Redefined

For Roth, wearing the cape was a transformative experience that redefined his perception of beauty—seeing it not just as visual splendor but also through its impermanence and emotional depth. He described feeling “whole and honest,” acknowledging the beauty in life’s inevitable cycles.

Exclusive Glimpses from Met Gala Night

Photos captured by renowned photographers like Mark Seliger, Alban Roger, James Vernon, and Ali Wonderly provide a glimpse into Roth’s journey—from the final fitting to his grand appearance at the gala.

Jordan Roth during his final fitting
Photo: Mark Seliger

Met Gala 2024 Red Carpet Highlights

The Met Gala was a spectacle of creativity and bold fashion choices. Alongside Jordan Roth, stars like Zendaya in vintage Givenchy also graced the red carpet.

Explore more about this year’s Met Gala through our comprehensive coverage: Met Museum Gala 2024.


This blog post provides an in-depth exploration of Jordan Roth’s choice for the Met Gala, highlighting its symbolism, craftsmanship, and emotional resonance. The structure is designed to engage readers with informative headers and subheaders, supported by bullet points and images for a visually appealing read.