Met Gala 2024 highlights: Zendaya, Gigi Hadid bloom in garden theme, plus what you didn't see

NEW YORK – The Met Gala was in full bloom on Monday. The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, lined with white roses and greenery to match the colors of the carpet itself, came to life for fashion's biggest night.

Stars took the gala's "The Garden of Time" dress code to heart at the invite-only event, creating floral bliss at the annual Met ball, which doubles as a fundraising dinner for the latest exhibit at the museum's Costume Institute, featuring fragile and treasured garments for its 2024 theme, "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion."

From Zendaya's two dresses and Usher's "romantic" look to Lana Del Rey's ethereal ensemble and all the things you didn't see, USA TODAY has an insider's view of the highlights from before, during and after the Met Gala.

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Zendaya opens – and closes – Met Gala red carpet with multiple looks

The night belonged to Zendaya, who hasn't been seen on the steps of the Met since 2019's "Camp: Notes on Fashion."

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Following the sartorial shine of her "Dune 2" and "Challengers" press tours, all eyes were on Zendaya as one of the co-chairs of the evening.

"Hopefully, with the Met, since I've been away for so many years, maybe this time around I won't be so stressed," Zendaya told USA TODAY ahead of the 2024 event.

If she was stressed, she didn't show it in not one but two stunning looks to help open and wrap up the Met Gala carpet. Along with celebrity stylist and self-proclaimed "Image Architect" Law Roach, Zendaya posed for her life in a deep blue and forest green Maison Margiela by John Galliano gown, topped with a plumed hat to match the peacock sensibilities of the look.

Murmurs rose as screams and fanfare erupted from the base of the carpet: Who could it be? Zendaya again, of course, in a more dramatic silhouette for her billowing black Victorian-style Givenchy dress by John Galliano and a bouquet of roses for headpiece. Though she didn't stop for interviews, Zendaya flashed a shy smile before heading back into the party.

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Usher, Gigi Hadid, Mindy Kaling: Met Gala 'Garden in Time' dress code gets a rose

Fans lined up for hours across Fifth Avenue to catch a glimpse of the hand-crafted designs and star power that USA TODAY got to see up close – and talk about with the celebs.

Gigi Hadid told us about her Thom Browne gown's interpretation of the theme: "There's a lot, but there's some beautiful, 3D beaded flowers that seem like the book," she said, referencing J.G. Ballard's 1962 short story of the same title that inspired the night's theme. "Well those are glass, but you know."

For a soulful singer like Usher, romance is key.

"Alexander McQueen, it's a one-of-one. (The brand's creative director) Seán McGirr and myself decided to put this amazing thing together. Exotic, romantic, but still within the garden theme," he told USA TODAY.

"There's all different types of gardens – some of them get a little dark, but you've got to have fun, right?" he said with a wink and a devilish grin.

Mindy Kaling took the theme of the night literally, wrapped in a flowing tan gown from Gaurav Gupta, with a large swirling flower detail on the back.

NFL player Stefon Diggs, one of the many celebs dressed by H&M, said "they put together an amazing look, so I'm very happy."

"It's an honor to go" to the Met Gala, Diggs said. "And then to be around such amazing people, some of the best people in the world, some of the best people at what they do as well."

The wide receiver was recently traded to the Houston Texans and said his new state is "amazing. Roads are a little crazy! But I'm getting used to them. The weather is amazing, the people are amazing; I'm excited for this year."

Tyla gets help in her Balmain sand dress

South African singer Tyla traded in "Water" for the sands of time with her sculpted Balmain gown and matching hourglass purse, complete with real sand. A small group of helpers had to physically hoist the 22-year-old and her flowing train up the last few stairs of the carpet as she delicately held onto them.

Kim Kardashian and Lana Del Rey share a Met Gala moment

Lana Del Rey channeled a glowing fairy nymph of the forest for her Met Gala moment, and she didn't have to branch out too far to find a friend, sharing an embrace with Kim Kardashian.

"Well, first of all, we needed to make it McQueen, so the shape is McQueen. And we would never do butterflies, not for this," Del Rey told USA TODAY alongside McGirr, who said, "We were inspired by this idea of Mother Nature … everything is hand-embroidered."

Kardashian, who wore a bluish silver floral Maison Margiela dress by John Galliano, talked animatedly with Del Rey through the veil of her thorny ensemble.

Kardashian's sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner and mom Kris Jenner alongside boyfriend Corey Gamble made it a family affair, though they all walked the carpet separately.

The Kardashians at the Met Gala:Check out the reality-TV family's 'Sleeping Beauties' looks

Brie Larson and Ariana Grande, Donald Glover and Colman Domingo reunite

More reunions and special guests marked the night.

Two of fashion's most daring and exciting men found their way to each other: Donald Glover and Colman Domingo shook hands, chatting it up and posing together. Teyana Taylor and Jon Batiste fawned over each other, sharing a hug.

Jeff Goldblum served as a hot-ticket invite, earning excitement from Ariana Grande and Queen Latifah, among others. Grande, who arrived to chants from the crowd with "Wicked" co-star Cynthia Erivo, also received adoration and a big hug from friend Brie Larson: "I saw you and (you) look like an angel!"

"Espresso" singer Sabrina Carpenter and "Saltburn" star Barry Keoghan found each other at the top of the stairs, holding hands.

Lea Michele glided up the stairs in a teal blue Rodarte gown with a special guest: her baby bump, which she cradled as she posed for photos.

Sarah Jessica Parker, who paired her pearls and fascinator with a sparkling silver and nude Richard Quinn dress, arrived with close friend and "Bravo" extraordinaire Andy Cohen. The two chatted and laughed as they ascended the stairs, and Cohen joked to reporters that Parker would be "taking over the role of Che Diaz" in "And Just Like That."

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Celebs hit afterparties, including Cardi B and Offset

The Mark Hotel served as another red carpet for the celebrity attendees, who returned from the carpet to screams from fans hoping for a glimpse. It was a prime spot for star spotting – and for after-hours caviar and drinks with The Macallan. Rosalía, Zoe Saldaña, Doja Cat, Cardi B and more made their way through the entrance of the hotel, right next to the Macallan afterparty, where designer Edvin Thompson of Theophilio and Albert Ayal of Up Next Designer were spotted in the intimate room.

At an after-hours party with Revolve that went into the wee hours of the morning, Cardi B and Offset arrived shortly after 2 a.m. at Midtown hotspot Silencio. Cardi B opted for a red, figuring-hugging dress and a blinding diamond necklace, a far cry from the cascading, dramatic gown she wore on the carpet (the train of which took a team of people to carry through the Mark).

Contributing: Patrick Ryan