The Met Gala is tonight. More than 450 guests will gather at the Metropolitan Museum of Art tonight to celebrate what is often earmarked as fashion’s most illustrious event.
With each year’s event centred around a specific theme, attendees are invited to dress in a way that interprets their understanding of the theme, which frequently results in showcases of artistic expression.
Although the Met Gala is widely recognised as a celebration of fashion, it was originally conceived as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute and still retains that function today.
In addition to this well-known fact, here are five intriguing facts about the Met Gala that you probably didn’t know:
What Would It Cost to Attend the Met Gala?
If you ever wondered how much it would cost attendees for an exclusive viewing of 250 curated items in the permanent collection of the Costume Institute, the answer is $75,000, according to the New York Times.
A single ticket for a seat at the 2024 Met Gala will cost $75,000, which is $25,000 more than last year. A table is also said to cost a minimum of $350,000.
Original Location of the Met Gala
Today, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has become almost synonymous with the Met Gala, but the annual event wasn’t always held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The event was held at venues such as Central Park and the Waldorf Astoria between its establishment in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert and 1971, when Diana Vreeland, former editor-in-chief at Vogue, became a consultant for the Met.
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art Closes Four Times in a Year
The Met Gala holds such a strong cultural significance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art that it is one of four days in the year when the museum is closed to the public. The other days are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day
No Selfie/Social Media Policy
One of the reasons why the Met Gala is one of the most renowned events globally is the air of mystery surrounding what happens during the event.
Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief at Vogue, who wields a strong influence over the event, and the organisers ensure this mystique is maintained through a strict “no social media/selfie” policy.
The Stories Behind Met Gala Themes
The Met Gala is renowned for its thematic galas and dresses tailored to each year’s theme. For instance, Doja Cat’s ‘Catwoman’ appearance at the 2023 Met Gala was a tribute to Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette.
Interestingly, the Met Gala didn’t always follow a theme. It wasn’t until Diana Vreeland became a special consultant for the Costume Institute in 1972 that themes became a staple of the event. The first of these themes, “The World of Balenciaga” in 1973 honoured the works of Cristobal Balenciaga who died a year before.
Since then, each gala has been centred around a unique theme, ranging from fashion movements and societal concepts to the works of individual designers. This year’s theme “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” will feature a curated selection of 250 items from its permanent collection, “many of which have rarely been seen in public before,” according to Vogue.
