The Met Gala has always been every fashion aficionado’s most awaited red carpet of the year. It was founded in 1948 by legendary publicist Eleanor Lambert and was initially a dinner thrown for New York’s elite. Today, it has evolved into a star-studded event with patrons gracing the red carpet in extravagant costumes. But there is more to the Met Gala than meets the eyes.
Here are the ins and outs of ‘Fashion’s Biggest Night Out’!
What is the Met Gala?
The Met Gala is a fundraising Gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. It marks the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit. It was started in the year 1948 and, back then, was a regular fundraiser. With time, this event has become the most spectacular night for the fashion industry.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Entrance Pavilion
(Photo via the Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Traditionally, the Met Gala is held every year on the first Monday of May. However, in 2020, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was resumed in September of 2021.
The theme for this year was “In America: An Anthology in Fashion”, a continuation of the previous year’s theme “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”. The dress code was “Gilded Glamour and White Tie.”
Who invites and who gets invited?
Since 1995, the guest list has been carefully curated by Anna Wintour, the Editor-in-Chief at Vogue. For the first time, all the members of the Kardashian- Jenner family were invited. The hosts were none other than Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Regina king. Tom Ford, Adam Mosseri, and Anna Wintour continued as honorary co-chairs. Sadly, many celebrities like Rihanna, Beyoncé, Zendaya, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, and Lewis Hamilton were missed at this year’s Gala.
What is Gilded Glamour?
The word ‘gilded’ literally means gold-covered. This year’s dress code directly stemmed from the Gilded Age. In U.S. History, the Gilded Age (1870 to 1900) was the period between the end of the Civil War and the start of World War I. It was a golden age for the country and was marked by rapid growth and prosperity.
Gilded Glamour Theme Interpretation
(Photo via Alison Cohen Rosa/HBO)
What happens inside the Met Gala?
Well, it’s a secret. The outside public is not privy to what takes place behind the glamorous doors of the Met. The closest we’ve gotten to the truth was when the heist in the movie ‘Oceans 8’ was set at the Gala.
All we know is that the event consists of a cocktail hour followed by a formal dinner. When the guests arrive, they walk the red carpet, bask in the light that flashes from the cameras, and flaunt their on-theme costumes on the famous steps of the Met.
The Met Gala has been dubbed, rightfully so, as “the Oscars of the Fashion World”. For one night, the biggest names in the entertainment industry come together and try their hand at interpreting fashion, all while raising funds for a good cause. This year gave us some standout iconic looks, thanks to stars like Blake Lively, Billie Eilish, Alicia Keys, Kim Kardashian, Lily Aldridge, Jessica Chastain, and more. And we can’t wait to see what next year’s Gala has in store for us!
Blake Lively in Versace
(Photo via Getty Images)
Authored By: Vedika Bajaj
Edited By: Akanksha Mallick