What is Met Gala? From History to Purpose, All You Need To Know About Biggest Night in Fashion

Every year on the first Monday in May, fashion enthusiasts look forward to the Met Gala. In a short while, stars will assemble at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where they’ll showcase their most stylish attire. These outfits, meticulously designed and tailored, are sure to impress as they celebrate the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition with the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”. The dress code for this grand event is simply titled – “Tailored for You”.

Prepare yourself for fashion’s most significant event on May 5! Familiarize yourself with the background, importance, intent, and other details of the Met Gala before you attend.

History of Met Gala

The event widely recognized as the Met Ball or Met Gala is actually titled the Costume Institute Benefit. This is a charitable function held to support the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Originating in 1948 under the initiative of publicist Eleanor Lambert, it initially started as an annual midnight dinner, famously known as “the Party of the Year.” The cost for the inaugural gala was only $50, but this price quickly doubled within a few years. Nowadays, a single ticket to attend the gala goes for an impressive $75,000, while a table is priced at an even more substantial $350,000.

1972 saw Diana Vreeland, previously the chief editor at Vogue, take on a special advisory role at the Costume Institute. Her influence significantly elevated the gala’s grandeur, introducing numerous modifications to the event.

Vreeland proposed a concept where the event’s theme would correspond with that of the exhibition, and she also opted to enhance the decor with a lavish flair. Under her leadership, the Met Gala started captivating Hollywood stars and renowned designers from around the world, thereby pulling in massive crowds to the exhibitions.

In 1995, Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of American Vogue at the time, joined the committee overseeing the gala. Under her guidance, the gala transformed into one of the most elite and coveted events in the world of fashion. With her significant impact, the event garnered global acclaim and came to be known as the “night of ultimate fashion glory.

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At the gala, it’s Wintour who manages the attendees list, and only with her consent can individuals gain entry. Designers typically invite popular personalities to showcase their designs on the red carpet. Each year, four celebrities join forces with Wintour as hosts. Once inside, spectators are also treated to live performances by some of the most renowned musicians.

Last year, the Met Gala garnered approximately $26 million towards the Costume Institute, which subsequently uses these funds to procure fresh artwork for its museum collection.

About Met Gala 2025

For this year’s Met Gala, the roles of co-chairs are taken by Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour. LeBron James is assigned the position of a special advisor or representative.

Vogue is planning to broadcast the Met Gala across several platforms like YouTube, and it kicks off at 3 PM Pacific Standard Time.

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2025-05-03 13:07