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Everything you need to know about the Met Gala

The Met Gala is an annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute. It was started by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert in 1948, it has since continued as a glamorous fashion event held on the first Monday of May every year in New York City. Each year, A-list celebrities are invited to attend the gala to showcase and celebrate the best of fashion.

Here's everything you need to know about this uber-fashionable annual event!

A Brief History of the Met Gala

  • 1948 — 1971: The Met Gala was started in 1948 by Eleanor Lambert to mark the opening of the newly founded Costume Institute’s exhibit. The first gala was hosted with a grant dinner with tickets for 50 dollars each. 
  • 1948 - 1971: NewYork city’s high society and the fashion industry’s members attended the Met Gala. During these years, the Met Gala was held at different venues in Manhattan City, such as the Waldorf Astoria, Central Park, and the Rainbow Room. 
  • 1972 - 1999: The Met Gala became a more global and glamorous affair when Diana Vreeland became a consultant at the Costume Institute. The event started to attract more famous attendees from all over the world. Did you know that Princess Diana attended the Met Gala in 1996?
  • 2000s: The Met Gala was not held in 2000 due to a canceled Chanel exhibit and 2002 following the tragic events of 9/11. In 2013, the event became one of the biggest fundraising nights in New York City, raising US$9 million. In 2022, the Met Gala raised $17.4 million. The event was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19.
    This year (2024), the Met Gala theme was “Sleeping Beauties”, where Alia Bhatt, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, and Zendaya turned heads.

The Costume Institute and the Met Gala

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute features a prestigious collection of over 33,000 fashion pieces. The collection spans seven centuries of fashion history. The main source of funding for the Costume Institute is its annual fundraising event Costume Institute Benefit, popularly known as Met Gala.

The theme of the Met Gala is based on the special exhibition that the Costume Institute hosts each year.  The Met Gala, powered by the Costume Institute and Vogue, brings together the worlds of fashion, art, and culture, highlighting the importance of fashion history and its place within the broader context of the arts.

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Met Gala 2024 Highlights

Met Gala Theme

Every year, a new theme is introduced for the Met Gala. Attendees creatively interpret the theme into their outfits and make heads turn. The theme for the 2024 Met Gala was “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”

Celebrities' Outfits

The notable celebrities from across the globe walked on the red carpet. Zendaya surprised with two outfit changes, Jennifer Lopez with her Schiaparelli Haute Couture dress, and Alia Bhatt in a Sabyasachi saree embraced the theme with floral designs.

Gala Performances

The Met Gala 2024 night wasn't only about the fashion game but also surprises. Ryan Reynolds with Hugh Jackman kept the cameras flashing. The record-breaking performance by Ariana Grande and her Wicked costar, Cynthia Erivo, was a surprise.

Record-breaking Donation

Not only is the Met Gala known for its fashion wonders but also its fundraising prowess. According to reports the 2024 Met Gala broke all the records. Celebrities donated more than $26 million!

Themes of the Met Gala Over The Years

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Heavenly Bodies - Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (2018)

This theme was the intersection of fashion and religion, inspired by the Vatican collection.

China - Through the Looking Glass (2015)

This theme was dedicated to Chinese art and fashion, showcasing the influence of Chinese fashion.

Punk - Chaos to Couture (2013)

This theme served as punk rock's rebellious spirit, featuring how DIY ethos and anti-establishment attitude have influenced fashion.

Manus x Machina — Fashion in an Age of Technology (2016)

This theme explored fashion and technology and showed how technology helped the fashion industry.

Camp - Notes on Fashion (2019)

This theme was inspired by theatrical fashion elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, and exaggeration.

Outfits That Made a Statement at the Met Gala

Rihanna's Guo Pei Robe (2015)

Rihanna's iconic yellow gown with a massive train stole the show in 2015.

Lady Gaga's Brandon Maxwell Pink Gown (2019)

A controversial yet unforgettable dress of Lady Gaga made a statement on the " Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme.

Zendaya in Cinderella Dress (2019)

Zendaya's Tommy Hilfiger Cinderella dress lit up into a sparkling blue dress with butterflies, just like in the fairytale.

Katy Perry's Chandelier Dress (2019)

Katy Perry's over-the-top Moschino chandelier dress turned heads at the Met Gala 2019.

Kim Kardashian's Marilyn Monroe Dress (2022)

Everyone was in awe when Kim wore Marilyn Monroe’s dress recreating the iconic "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress!

Cardi B's Blood Drip Dress (2018)

Thom Browne’s gown for Cardi, in a deep, oxblood red adorned with crystals, was a masterpiece.

Billy Porter's Sun God Ensemble (2019)

The dramatic entrance of men carrying Billy and Egyptian-inspired dramatic wings by The Blonds stunned everyone on the red carpet.

Priyanka Chopra’s Ethereal Ralph Lauren Ensemble (2018)

Priyanka stunned everyone on the red carpet in a deep ruby velvet gown with a regal and bejeweled hood.

Frequently asked questions about the Met Gala

Yes. The Met Gala is a fundraiser event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute.