Books By Style

Every year since 1948, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has held a fundraiser for their costume institute, regarded as one of the most prestigious fashion events of the year. Organized by Anna Wintour and Vogue, the Met Gala is considered “fashion’s biggest night,” and only the most influential stylish celebrities and public figures get invited. Held the first Monday in May, this year’s theme was “The Garden of Time,” meant to honor historical fashion pieces that can never worn again. This year’s attendees pulled inspiration from fashion archival pieces, like Lana Del Rey’s custom Alexander McQueen gown inspired by the brand’s previous collection. 

This year, Lana Del Rey attended the Met Gala for the first time since 2018. She looked breathtaking in her typical dark, ethereal aesthetic. The singer took inspiration from nature and Alexander McQueen’s 2006 fall collection. The look, which features bronze hawthorn branches, was custom-designed by Alexander McQueen’s Seán McGirr. He added a dramatic headpiece with hawthorn branches draped in tulle to make the singer look mystical. Lana looked stunning for her third Met Gala appearance, like a witch or goddess that descended from the forest to grace us with her beauty and magic. 

TThe gown took elements from the natural world and turned them into beautiful fashion pieces that made Lana look like a nature Queen. It would be the perfect dress for an earthy witch or goddess of nature, and Diana Bishop happens to be both. As a powerful witch, she has control over the natural elements, and as a weaver, she can embody the powers and spirit of the goddess of the hunt, Diana, otherwise known as Artemis. In the Alexander McQueen dress, no one could question Diana’s power over nature as she controls the branches to wrap around her body. 

When a young scholar who happens to be a witch discovers a manuscript about the history of magical creatures, she becomes the epicenter of a centuries-long species war. While researching the manuscript, she falls in love with a powerful vampire despite interracial relationships being banned. With nearly the entire magical community chasing them through time, the two are in a race to save their future and the future of magic. 

Fans of Lana Del Rey’s Met Gala gown may like the Jovani beaded gown in similar colors from Couture Candy. Fans of the natural elements and beige color may like the mermaid dress with floral appliqués from Stacees. Fans who like the dramatic flair from the Alexander McQueen gown may like the Bailee split sequin maxi dress from Mew Mews. Readers interested in supernatural romance, magic, historical fiction, fantasy, and time travel will love the All Souls series by Deborah Harkness. Interested readers can buy the series in bookstores and online.