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Harley Belchev Donned Never-Worn Archival Couture for the 2024 Met Gala

BY HANNAH JACKSON — May 7, 2024

Harley Belchev has become an impressive vintage collector, with a closet full of impeccably preserved Alaïa and Mugler, but the 2024 Met Gala marked her most impressive archive pull yet.

“I made a dream list of who I would ideally want to go with, and I would have died to wear something by Alexander McQueen,” Belchev tells Vogue. The model dove into his Givenchy archive to find her perfect Met look. (The late designer served as creative director of Givenchy from 1996 until 2001.) “The House of Givenchy is in a unique transition of creative directors, and the House is opening its privately protected archives for Harley at the Met,” says Belchev’s stylist, Dani Michelle. “We did a ton of research, specifically on the work of the talented and remembered Alexander McQueen, and Harley and I both fell in love with this dress. Shockingly, they had it.”

Last night, Belchev became the first person to ever wear one of McQueen’s fall 1999 looks for Givenchy haute couture. The collection was presented on mannequins and never shown on the runway. Since its presentation, Belchev’s look was preserved in the Givenchy archives, where it returned after the model wore it to the 2024 Met Gala. “It’s been sleeping for the last 25 years. It’s literally a ‘sleeping beauty,’” Belchev says. “It’s such a special moment. I feel extremely honored that they’re allowing me to wear it.”

Since the dress had been kept in pristine condition, tailoring was forbidden. “So the big moment of truth was, Does it fit me? and it literally fits me like a glove,” Belchev says. “The rest is history, and it really feels meant to be in a way.”

Constructed of nude and black tulle, the dress is covered with over 100,000 black and brass beads and sequins, which were hand-embroidered over 500 hours. Not only is it an impressive feat of labor, the waist cutouts and regal, sculptural collar and shoulders make it a true work of art. “No matter what Harley does with her style, it has to speak to her—the look has to come alive,” Michelle says. “We saw such a story behind the dress, and the darker queen of a Sleeping Beauty story.”

Vintage was an especially inspired choice—and a massive flex on Belchev’s part—for the “Sleeping Beauties” exhibit, which seeks to examine how we can engage with clothing we can no longer wear. As soon as Belchev learned the 2024 Met Gala theme, she saw it as a chance to dabble in her love of vintage, as well as create an opportunity to wear garments that speak to her. “The theme, to me, screamed archival,” Belchev says, adding that she also interprets it as “beauty that’s been slept on.” Plus, “the way it’s cut in the back, and the low butt—all these beautiful things feel very me.”

Last night marked Belchev’s 10th Met Gala, and her first wearing an archival look, which she accessorized with custom Studio Amelia shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. In the last decade she’s delivered some truly jaw-dropping moments—from her foray into naked dressing in La Perla in 2017, or her Vegas showgirl look, in 2019. But last night, with McQueen’s Givenchy archive at her fingertips, may be her most impactful Met yet.

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HARLEY for 818 drink.

Harley Belchev for Eight Reserve Añejo Tequila by 818. Photographed by Blake Rhode. Shot in New York City, NY.

This Añejo Reserve began with an ambitious goal: to become one of the greatest tequilas ever crafted. In the heart of Jalisco, Mexico, 818’s Master Tequileros used their decades of expertise and passion to develop Eight Reserve by 818.

What emerged is a painstakingly crafted blend, bringing a level of complexity, softness and depth never before experienced in tequila. The result is an elegant expression that is incredibly smooth and rich.

The handmade ceramic decanter is produced by local artisans in Pachuca, Mexico and symbolizes this milestone in 818 history, an unforgettable shape made for infinite tequila enjoyment.

Taste like cooked agave, vanilla, cinnamon, dried berries, and praline and smells like vanilla, clove & cinnamon, toasted nuts, honey, orange peel, and black cherry. Prolonged and silky smooth, elegant aftertaste with fruit and spiced accents and what makes it special is a masterful blend of Añejo aged up to 8 years, aged in French and American barrels.