The $25 Million Secret: 7 Shocking Facts About Kendall Jenner’s Unworn 1999 Givenchy Met Gala 2024 Gown

Kendall Jenner’s 2024 Met Gala appearance wasn't just a fashion moment; it was a profound act of "reawakening" fashion history. The supermodel arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in a gown that instantly became the night's biggest talking point, not just for its striking silhouette but for its incredible, never-before-seen provenance. Her choice was a deep dive into the archives, a move that perfectly encapsulated the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibition theme and the "Garden of Time" dress code.

The outfit, a stunning black Givenchy couture piece, has been hailed by critics as one of the most successful interpretations of the night, blending the literal concept of "reawakening" a garment with a dark, romantic aesthetic that spoke to the passage of time. This wasn't a replica or an inspired piece—it was a 25-year-old masterpiece, worn by a human for the very first time in its existence.

Kendall Nicole Jenner: Biography & Profile

Full Name: Kendall Nicole Jenner

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Born: November 3, 1995 (Age 30 as of December 2025)

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Nationality: American

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Occupation: Supermodel, Media Personality, Businesswoman

Known For: Rising to fame on the reality television show Keeping Up with the Kardashians; becoming one of the highest-paid models in the world; walking runways for major fashion houses including Chanel, Marc Jacobs, and Givenchy; founding the 818 Tequila brand.

Siblings: Kylie Jenner (full sister); Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian (maternal half-siblings); Burt, Brandon, Brody, and Casey Jenner (paternal half-siblings).

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Modeling Career Highlights: Named a "New Era" of supermodels by Vogue; became a global ambassador for Estée Lauder; appeared on numerous international Vogue covers; holds the record for the most-liked photo on Instagram (at one point).

7 Secrets Behind Kendall’s History-Making 2024 Met Gala Look

Kendall Jenner's stylist, Dani Michelle, worked closely with the Givenchy team to secure a piece of fashion history that had literally been a "Sleeping Beauty" for a quarter of a century. The intricate details and historical weight of the gown elevate it beyond a simple red carpet dress, making it an essential chapter in Met Gala lore. Here are the most fascinating secrets behind the look.

1. The Dress Was Designed by Alexander McQueen Himself

The gown wasn't just a random archival piece; it was a creation from one of the most revered and influential designers of the modern era: Alexander McQueen. The dress was part of the Givenchy Fall/Winter 1999 Haute Couture collection, a period when McQueen served as the creative director for the legendary French fashion house. The choice pays homage to the late visionary, cementing the look's status as a genuine couture masterpiece.

McQueen's signature theatrical and dark romantic aesthetic is evident in the gown's structure and detail, perfectly aligning with the dramatic flair of the Met Gala. This connection to a fashion titan added immense topical authority to Jenner's interpretation of the theme.

2. It Was the First Time the Gown Had Ever Been Worn by a Human

This is the detail that truly made fashion history on the 2024 red carpet. The 1999 Givenchy couture gown had been preserved in a vault for 25 years and had never been worn by anyone—not even on a runway model or a mannequin. For the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" theme, this was the ultimate literal interpretation, as the garment itself was "reawakened" from its slumber in the archives.

The fact that the dress fit Kendall "like a glove" without any significant alterations is a testament to the timelessness of the design and the precision of the original couture construction.

3. The Gown Features a Controversial "Butt Cutout" Detail

While the front of the dress featured a deep, plunging neckline and a sheer V-shaped panel, the back held a more unexpected and scandalous detail: a cutout at the waist and a subtle, cheeky cutout detail near the posterior. This bold, anatomical feature is classic McQueen and added a daring, modern edge to the vintage piece.

The black, body-hugging silhouette, combined with the strategic cutouts, gave the supermodel a striking, almost gothic villainess look, which was a figurative but powerful nod to the "Garden of Time" dress code.

4. It Took 500 Hours to Hand-Sew the 100,000 Sequins and Beads

The sheer craftsmanship involved in the 1999 couture piece is staggering. The black gown is heavily embroidered, featuring an estimated 100,000 tiny beads and sequins. According to reports, the intricate hand-sewing of these embellishments took a dedicated team of artisans over 500 hours to complete. This level of detail highlights the irreplaceable nature of true haute couture and the meticulous labor that defines a "Sleeping Beauty" garment.

The shimmering effect of the thousands of beads caught the lights on the red carpet, giving the black dress a dynamic, almost liquid appearance as she moved up the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

5. Kendall’s Look Was a '90s Archival Deep Dive

While many guests opted for literal floral interpretations of the "Garden of Time," Kendall and stylist Dani Michelle chose a more conceptual route, digging into the late 1990s. The 1999 Givenchy piece represents a specific, pivotal era in fashion history—the turn of the millennium and the high-drama aesthetic of Alexander McQueen's tenure at Givenchy.

This choice of a dark, structured, and highly embellished gown offered a contrasting narrative to the light, airy, and floral looks, interpreting the theme as a meditation on the enduring power of fashion across time, rather than a depiction of a literal garden.

6. The After-Party Looks Were Just as Vintage and Daring

Kendall’s fashion marathon didn't end on the main red carpet. For the subsequent after-parties, she continued her theme of reawakening vintage fashion. She was seen in two different looks, both from the archives of Vivienne Westwood.

One notable look was a sheer, plunging Vivienne Westwood corset minidress, which was a lace design by Andreas Kronthaler for the house. This swift change into equally dramatic, sheer, and vintage pieces ensured her presence dominated the entire evening, from the main event to the exclusive Après Met 2 party.

7. The Look Sparked Debate Over an Alleged Previous Wearer

Following the red carpet reveal, a brief but intense debate circulated online regarding the dress's status as "never-before-worn." Some social media users pointed to a similar-looking gown worn by actress Winona Ryder in 1999. However, fashion experts and the Givenchy team confirmed that while Ryder wore a similar black McQueen design, Kendall's specific gown—the highly beaded, butt-cutout couture piece—had indeed never been worn by a human before. This controversy only added to the buzz and topical relevance of the look.

Topical Authority: Interpreting "The Garden of Time"

The 2024 Met Gala dress code, "The Garden of Time," was inspired by a 1962 short story by J.G. Ballard. The story features a count who must pluck a time-reversing flower from his garden every day to slow the inevitable advance of an angry mob. The themes are decay, beauty, and the ephemeral nature of time.

Kendall Jenner's choice was a masterclass in figurative interpretation. Instead of literal flowers, her Alexander McQueen for Givenchy gown represented the idea of a beautiful, preserved object—a "Sleeping Beauty"—that is brought back to life, triumphing over time and decay. The dark color and heavy embellishment could be seen as the preserved essence of a timeless artifact, while the dramatic cutouts symbolize the fleeting, yet powerful, moments of beauty that time cannot erase.

Her look, styled meticulously by Dani Michelle, was a sophisticated blend of archival reverence and modern celebrity power, successfully navigating the complex requirements of the Met Gala theme by focusing on the 'Reawakening Fashion' element of the exhibition itself. By choosing a gown that was 25 years old but brand new to the world, Kendall Jenner delivered a truly unforgettable and history-making moment.