Jennifer Garner made her Met Gala debut in 2007, accompanied by the legendary designer Valentino Garavani, and hasn’t returned since.

Together, they captivated onlookers with Garner adorned in a “magical” cardinal red Valentino strapless gown, exuding elegance and sophistication. The theme of the night, “Poiret: King of Fashion,” set the stage for a showcase of sleek floor-length dresses, metallic ensembles, and voluminous gowns, all adhering to the event’s sartorial directives.

Reflecting on her experience, Garner recently revealed her decision to eschew subsequent Met Galas in a makeup tutorial for Vogue. “I went to the Met ball exactly one time, um, I found it a little bit scary, so I haven’t been back,” she confessed, shedding light on her absence from subsequent editions of the illustrious event. Despite the irresistible allure of the fashion-forward affair, Garner’s initial foray left an indelible impression, both for its enchanting ambiance and the esteemed company she kept.

While Garner’s absence may leave fashion aficionados longing for her return to the Met Gala’s hallowed halls, her decision to prioritize comfort and personal well-being, a testament to her self-care, speaks volumes. Her inaugural appearance, marked by the ethereal beauty of her Valentino creation and the esteemed presence of its creator, remains a cherished memory in the annals of Met Gala history.

Despite her mixed feelings about her Gala experience, the actress couldn’t help but admire her stunning attire. In 2018, more than a decade after her initial wearing of the gown, Garner gave it a heartfelt shoutout on Instagram.

Accompanying a chic throwback picture of herself donning the vibrant red, strapless ensemble, Garner divulged her candid thoughts on the outfit. “You will never appreciate using the bathroom alone until you’ve been sewn into a dress,” she humorously remarked.

The 2024 Met Gala’s theme — “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” — is a nod to fashion history. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition theme — curated and organized by The Costume Institute — will feature 250 items from its permanent collection displayed in a new, innovative way.

On Thursday, a source told ET that Ben Affleck has been “actively involved” with his 52-year-old former spouse as she grieves the recent death of her father and “is supportive across the board.”

“He has been checking in on her and making sure she knows he is there for her since her dad’s passing. It was the kids’ grandfather and Ben and him always got along,” the source added. “He considered him family and always will.”

Garner shared the news that her father, William Garner, “passed peacefully” at the age of 85 last month.

The source also told ET that “beyond dealing with this loss,” Garner has been “in a happy place” as she and Affleck continue co-parenting their children, Violet, 17, Seraphina, 13, and Samuel, 11.

“Jennifer is in a very happy place and gets along with Ben and Jen[nifer Lopez]. Jennifer and Jen have gotten closer, which is nice for both of them. Jennifer Garner and John Miller are doing well and they have talked about escalating their relationship to the next level,” the source added of Garner and Affleck’s respective partners.

The actress has been quietly dating John Miller since 2018 while Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, 54, rekindled their romance in 2021 and got married in Las Vegas on July 16 — three months following their engagement.

Entertainment Tonight is on the iconic Met Gala red carpet, so keep checking back with ETonline for more coverage from fashion’s biggest night, including all of the jaw-dropping red carpet looks.

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