Stylist CL White Forecasts Fashion at Met Gala 2024

Brace yourselves because the first Monday in May is finally here!

As the countdown to the opening of the Met Gala red carpet winds down, we can’t help but wonder who will be dripped in style down to the nines with the biggest jaw-dropping entrance. We bet our favorite kings and queens will slay from head to toe, donned in ensembles celebrating this year’s theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”

Still, we’re not acting brand new over here. Undeniably, 2024 has already been flagged as a year of historic fashion highs, following iconic fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, and New York. Now, it’s the Met Gala’s turn to make a statement as all others bow down.

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As Anna Wintour and the Met Gala take over the Big Apple, the city is swarming with tastemakers and fashion risk-takers from around the globe. While we’re aware that our girl and walking muse, Zendaya, will be in attendance while serving as co-chair, our brains are fluttering in overdrive, calculating what celebrity will make the biggest statement. 

To take the conversation up a notch, we welcomed celebrity stylist CL White –whose clients include Issa Rae, Latto, and Lori Harvey– into the chat as he spilled his predictions on how he thinks the extravaganza might unfold.

See who he forecasts to garner the most attention and whose ensemble will be rated E for excellent.

Bet.com: This year’s theme is “Sleeping Beauties: Right Reawakening Fashion.” How do you think this theme will be envisioned, considering fabrics, prints, and silhouettes?

CL White: I really think that will give us a lot of green, Botanical Gardens, reds for roses, and a lot of flowers and florals. It’s going to be big for texture. Balmain just dropped that huge, beautiful, new collection with a beaded, floral vibe. I think we’re going to see a lot of that. There will be a lot of harvests in Laquan Smith. It’s going to be an ode to nature.

Bet.com: Acknowledging this year’s theme, do you think it’s time for fashion to be reawakened? 

CL White: No, I don’t. I think fashion changes all the time, but change is always fun. We’re always trying to reawaken because the trends are always changing. So you have to stay with the tea. You have to know what’s going on at all times. So, reawakening is just like putting a little bit more juice in it. I don’t feel like it’s dead. I feel like it’s just changing, so we just want to refresh.

Bet.com: Let’s talk trends. What styles do you think will dominate the carpet this year that will be worn by women?

CL White: Florals, but I think it will be interpreted in a different way. Instead of having floral prints everywhere, it will be a real statement. Someone’s going to pop up as one single huge rose, one single giant sunflower or a leaf. I feel like it’s gonna be real costumey with custom looks. I’m excited about this one. In the past year, people really didn’t get it, but I feel like you’re gonna get this. It’s gonna be fun.

Bet.com: How do you imagine men will bring this theme to light?

CL White: I think the men will come more out of their shells. They will give us a lot of fabric and detail. There will be more daring looks. I think it will open our eyes to looks that can be worn by men and women. 

Bet.com: What celebrity do you think will have the biggest wow moment on the carpet?

CL White: Rihanna and Beyoncé! I think RiRi is going to be wowed down. She has probably been getting her look together for six months, and I think Beyoncé is going to wow us for sure. You know, she might be in Dior or Loewe.

Bet.com: Queen Bee has been on her cow girl-ish in celebration of her latest album, “Cowboy Carter.” Would she incorporate some of that into her look for the Met Gala if she attends?

CL White: I think she’s gonna incorporate it down to the graphics and have a huge, custom cowboy hat. The look just might be in a brown era. She might pay a tribute to the garden and maybe like the dirt in the garden. I feel like she might be in Dior or Loewe for a fused, custom, wonderful moment.

Bet.com: What celebrity couple will cause the biggest stir on the carpet?

CL White: Rihanna and A$AP [Rocky]! They have done it before, and they do it all the time when they combine fashion with looks and poses. They’re going to wow us for sure.

Bet.com: Which designer do you think will have the most celebrities wearing their brand on the carpet?

CL White: Dior for sure, Jean Paul Gaultier and Harbison.

Bet.com: Zendaya will be the chair of the event this year. What are you anticipating from her and her longtime stylist, Law Roach?

CL White: Zendaya and Law are going to bring the heat. The 2019 look she did as Cinderella would have been a good tribute to this moment. Dust came out of the wand. It was incredible. I think they are going to bring the fire. I don’t know what she may wear, but I know it’s going to be custom and fit to the tee.

Bet.com: Along with Law Roach, what stylists do you presume will have unforgettable moments on the red carpet?

CL White: I love all my stylists, but Weyman + Micah are my big brothers. They’re going to dominate the Met Gala this year. I’m sure it is going to be incredible. 

Bet.com: Which Black celebrity do you hope will be nominated as one of the chairs for next year’s event?

CL White: Issa Rae. She is doing it! I love Issa’e energy. Her opinions are always non-biased; she’s straightforward, direct, and plain honest. And she serves her looks. So,, I would love to hear her input and have her sit on the chair.