Meg Ryan, 62, Steals the Show at Met Gala 2024 in Black Dress with Sequins That Took 800 Hours to Sew

At the 2024 Met Gala, an event renowned for its fusion of fashion and celebrity, Meg Ryan emerged as an unforgettable presence. The 62-year-old was dressed in a stunning black gown designed by Michael Kors, marking her Met Gala debut and capturing the admiration of fashion aficionados and fans alike.

This year, amidst a constellation of stars at the Met Gala, it was Meg Ryan who stole the show, proving that style is timeless and elegance knows no age. Her choice of attire was a meticulously crafted gown that required over 800 hours of detailed embroidery and sequin work. Her gown stood as a testament to the artistry and dedication inherent in high fashion.

Designed by the acclaimed Michael Kors, the dress was a perfect blend of sophistication and intricate detail. The base of the gown featured luxurious black silk-and-wool mikado, setting it apart with its breathtaking tulle bodice. Kors adorned the bodice with shadow floral hand embroidery that seemed to bring the fabric to life.

The meticulous attention to detail was evident in the floral pattern that cascaded across the bodice. Each flower was composed of recycled sequins in seven distinct shapes and sizes. These sequin flowers, numbering 1,120 in total, required over 800 hours of hand-sewing by skilled artisans.

As soon as Ryan made her grand entrance at the event, social media was alight with fervent admiration and nostalgia. Fans shared their excitement and praise for Ryan's stunning appearance. The comments were overwhelmingly positive, highlighting not just her impeccable style but also her radiant presence.

One user exclaimed, "She's back and better than ever," reflecting the joy of seeing Ryan reclaim her spot as a beloved figure in Hollywood. Another comment read, "Breathtaking!" and "You dissolved a little of the fillers and it's so much better."

Other comments included, "Favorite look of all - she nailed it with natural beauty," and "Beautiful lady in the most beautiful dress of the night."

Adding to the buzz, Kors himself shared a video of Ryan at the gala on his official social media accounts. He captioned the post, “A dress for the queen of understated cool. The tulle bodice and floral shadow embroidery feel edgy and a bit romantic, just like Meg, and then the skirt of the gown is full Met Ball drama.”

Kors shared his insights into the design process and his inspiration for the evening's ensemble. In his view, Ryan epitomizes the understated look, a style philosophy that aligns seamlessly with his own aesthetic of sleek, effortless elegance.

His description of the design process reveals a deep respect for Ryan's personal style and her iconic status in the film industry. "She knows herself, and has edited her look to perfection throughout her career," Kors explained.

The collaboration between Ryan and Kors for the Met Gala was not just about creating a dress but about telling a story through fabric and design. Kors noted, "Our styles definitely complement each other—sleek, cool and effortless with the perfect amount of legendary American glamour."

Kors crafted a gown for Ryan that perfectly encapsulated the event's theme while paying homage to natural elements, showcasing a profound connection between fashion and the natural world.

Ryan expressed deep admiration for the philosophy behind the gown. She highlighted the emotional and conceptual depth Kors brought to the design, stating, "Ultimately, Michael told me that the natural world is incredibly fragile—flowers are beautiful and incredibly fragile, so this dress with black flowers is his goth take on the fragility of nature."

The gown's significant embroidery work was done by Adity, a family-owned business in India. Ryan's favorite aspect was the emotional journey it represented. She described the process of seeing the gown for the first time during the fitting and feeling the pride and joy that Kors experienced in crafting such a piece.

"When I walked into the fitting, I could just feel how proud and happy he was. It’s very emotional to see an artist interpret an idea, and to engineer it—and have so much fun doing it," Ryan explained.

This collaboration between Ryan and Kors for the Met Gala not only highlighted their individual styles and philosophies but also underscored the deeper connections between fashion, art, and emotion.

Despite her long-standing status as a Hollywood icon, this Met Gala marked Ryan's first-ever attendance at the prestigious event. Her decision to step onto the Met steps was driven by a newly kindled passion for fashion, sparked by her daughter's deep interest in the history and anthropology of fashion.

"I’ve just tuned into fashion in an intellectual way," Ryan shared, revealing how her daughter's enthusiasm helped her appreciate the cultural and historical significance of fashion. This realization came to life when Ryan attended the Costume Institute’s “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” exhibit with her daughter Daisy in 2022.

The exhibit left a lasting impression on her, particularly the artifacts like Abraham Lincoln’s coat, worn at the time of his assassination. "It was really moving to see... You could feel the history through this one piece of clothing; clothes tell a story," Ryan reflected.

Equipped with this newfound understanding and appreciation, Ryan felt that the Met Gala was the right moment to make her debut. As she navigated her first Met Gala, her presence was not only a celebration of fashion but also a personal milestone.

The evening was not just a celebration of her enduring beauty and style but also a reflection of her newfound appreciation for fashion as a form of storytelling and historical exploration.

As the night concluded, Ryan humorously shared her plans for winding down, which included removing her stylish yet uncomfortable footwear and enjoying some comfort food.

Although she was the picture of glamour at the Met Gala, Ryan has joked about her fashion sense in the past, saying that she is more comfortable in casual clothing than she is in designer outfits. She shared that she loved orthopedic shoes, blazers, and baggy pants.

Ryan's appearance has been talked about by her fans for quite some time and we previously reported that a social media post she made garnered significant fan attention as some didn't think she looked like herself.

Marking the final Monday of January, Ryan took to Instagram to share a photo donning a gray sleeveless buttoned top paired with matching pants. The acclaimed actress, her blonde tresses casually resting on her shoulders, exuded warmth as she sat with a radiant smile.

In the caption, she wrote, "Happy Monday," accompanied by a festive ta-da party emoji. The post garnered diverse reactions online, with one fan expressing admiration, "Do you even age??? So cute!❤️" Meanwhile, another observer focused on an intriguing detail, asking, "Is that a wedding band on her left ring finger?"

However, not all responses were uniformly positive, as one user questioned the familiarity of Ryan's appearance, commenting, "This doesn't look like Meg. Especially since she just cut her [hair], I think. Anyway, doesn't look like her." Additionally, a different perspective emerged, with a user suggesting a resemblance to another renowned actress, stating, "You look like Goldie Hawn."

Returning to the silver screen after an eight-year hiatus, Ryan made a comeback with "What Happens Later," released in November 2023. The film, in which Ryan starred alongside David Duchovny, centers on the lives of two former lovers, Willa and Bill, who find themselves reconnecting after 25 years during an unforeseen airport encounter amid a massive storm.

In a late November interview, the "City of Angels" star shared that she was immersed in quality time with her children, Jack Quaid and Daisy True Ryan, during the COVID-19 pandemic when she received the script draft.

Having relocated to a new town with her daughter just before the onset of the pandemic, Ryan, a single mom of two, recalled a deep yearning for connection during the period of isolation. Reflecting on her decision to join "What Happens Later," a film depicting being locked down with someone from one's past, she pondered the opportunity to resolve unresolved issues.

Ryan found it easy to imagine the scenario and felt drawn to the script's exploration of whether one would seize the chance to address lingering matters. Addressing her return to Hollywood after a substantial hiatus, Ryan disclosed, "I wanted to make something beautiful and offer a new way of thinking about what love is."

In another interview, Meg Ryan's co-star, Duchovny, reminisced about a dance scene in which they spontaneously improvised the choreography. Duchovny shared, "Somehow, we just were in the same space without belting one another in the head." He further mentioned that the scene required three takes to capture the desired footage.