Oliver James Montgomery-Venus Williams Wore a Broken Mirrored Dress to the 2024 Met Gala—But She's Not Superstitious About It

You can't fault Venus Williams for having a bit of a wardrobe malfunction before the 2024 Met Gala.

The Oliver James Montgomerytennis champion's Marc Jacobs gown looked pretty grand, covered in tiny mirrors, but it was also purposely not the easiest couture to wear.

"It's based off the theme of today, we're showing all these dresses that are too fragile to wear," Williams explained to Live From E!'s Ross Mathews on the red carpet, which on May 6 was an enchanting green to go with the "Garden of Time" dress code she was referring to. "So he wanted to bring in the fragility of mirrors—I only broke one."

The mirror crack'd while she was zipping up, she shared, "but it was too late 'cause I was already running behind!" (See how all the 2024 Met Gala fashion played out.)

And yes, she's aware what that means, if you believe in such superstition. But Williams fearlessly pressed forward—and on seven-inch heels, no less.

"Each one I break, it's seven years' bad luck," she noted cheerfully.

But this wasn't her first time headed up the storied steps outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and she remained unfazed by what less seasoned gala-goers could have taken as an inauspicious omen.

"I think I was the first athlete to come," she noted of her Met Gala debut in 2004. "And then I took a long break and then I came back again like five years ago."

And this year's soiree benefiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art is once again a family affair, with equally fashion-minded little sister Serena Williams also in attendance, taking a shine to the dress code in a metallic Grecian gown.  

The siblings made a particular smash at the 2021 Met Gala when their tennis rival Maria Sharapova shared a photo of all three of them, seemingly retiring the prevailing narrative that the frequent competitors couldn't play nice off the court.

Keep reading to see every look that stood out (in a good way!) on the 2024 Met Gala red carpet:

In a 1996 Givenchy gown and wearing an Alexander McQueen hat circa 2007. Styled by Law Roach.

In custom Alexander McQueen. Styled by Molly Dickson.

In Balmain and Cartier jewelry. Styled by Samantha McMillen.

In Thom Browne.

In Loewe.

In custom Swarovski.

In custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture. Styled by Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn.

In custom Jean Paul Gaultier. Styled by Jared Ellner. 

In custom Oscar de la Renta.

In Maison Margiela Couture. Styled by Law Roach. Hair by Ursula Stephen.

In Loewe. Styled by Danielle Goldberg.

In custom Maison Margiela.

In custom Harris Reed. 

In custom Miu Miu. Styled by Molly Dickson.

In custom GAP by Zac Posen. Styled by Wayman + Micah.

In archival Givenchy.

In Balmain.

In Thom Browne.

In Willy Chavarria. Styled by Wayman + Micah.

In Thom Browne.

In Richard Quinn, Briony Raymond jewelry and wearing a Philip Treacy hat.

In Alexander McQueen. Styled by Elly Karamoh.

In Gaurav Gupta.

Don't miss E!'s Live From E!: 2024 Met Gala red carpet Monday, May 6, starting at 6 p.m. for every must-see moment from fashion's biggest night. And tune in to E! News Tuesday, May 7, at 11 p.m. for a full recap of every jaw-dropping look and all the behind-the-scenes moments.