Fashion’s biggest event, the Met Gala, is set to return to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. This prestigious event brings together fashion designers, art enthusiasts and celebrities from around the world under one roof and millions of people watch the event on the red carpet. As part of the celebration, few high-profile individuals are given the opportunity to co-chair, who oversees the guest list, menus and decoration. This year, the spotlight is on Zendaya, who will co-chair alongside Jennifer Lopez. Over the years, JLo has worn some of the iconic dresses and her unforgettable Versace green jungle dress at the Grammys in 2000 continues to inspire fashion enthusiasts. Interestingly, even Zendaya seemed to be impressed by Lopez’s daring, deep-neckline dress.
At the recent red carpet event for her upcoming film The Challengers, the Spider-Man actress was asked about JLo’s iconic fashion and if there were any classic JLo looks that made her wow. Without hesitation, Zendaya said, “I think the one that always comes to mind is obviously the Versace, the iconic deep V.”
Jennifer Lopez wore the jungle dress to the 2000 Grammy Awards, designed by Donatella Versace. The dress quickly became one of the fashion industry’s most memorable outfits. Surprisingly, the dress made a glamorous return in 2019 when The Boy Next Door star made a surprise appearance at the Versace SS20 show during Milan Fashion Week. After a group of models walked the runway, the audience was treated to a video of Google searches for the original green dress. Then, Lopez made a grand entrance in her signature style and left audience members stunned.
Speaking about the Versace dress, Jennifer Lopez said in a previous interview with Vanity Fair: “The first time I wore it, I actually didn’t have another dress. Usually I have choices. It was a last minute thing that caused an unexpected sensation. The second time was very planned. It started at the Met Ball, Donatella said, “You know, this year is the 20th anniversary of the jungle dress,” and I said no and she said, “I think I’ll go all out a show about it. Do you want to come?’ And I said, ‘Sure. Call me. You know, it’s all about timing and schedules and all that.”
“Then she finally called and said, ‘I want you to walk the rest of the way and I want you to come in a dress.’ The same dress. We will make a new one for you. The second time I wore it and went out, it was such an empowering thing. Twenty years have passed and I think that for women, knowing that you can put on a dress 20 years later, it resonated,” added the singer.
The Met Gala is celebrated every year on the first Monday of May and this year it is scheduled to take place on May 6. The theme of this year’s event is “The Garden of Time,” inspired by the 1962 short story of the same name by author JG Ballard. In addition to Zendaya and Jennifer, the event will be co-chaired by Bad Bunny and Chris Hemsworth. Additionally, Jonathan Anderson, creative director of Loewe, and Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, were invited as honorary chairs.
first publication: April 17, 2024, 2:47 p.m. IST
