Met Gala: The Dazzling Triumphs and Epic Fails of Fashion’s Biggest Night
Met Gala: The Dazzling Triumphs and Epic Fails of Fashion’s Biggest Night
On May 2nd, the fashion world eagerly anticipates the Met Gala, an event that has evolved into one of New York’s most significant charitable gatherings. Dubbed the “Fashion Oscar,” this gala captures public attention, and securing an invitation is a coveted honor for both stars and designers alike. Over the years, the Met Gala has raised approximately $200 million for the Costume Institute, with record-breaking sums like $15 million in 2019. The secret behind its popularity and the history of its development is explored in this article.
From Cocktail Dresses to Couture: The Humble Beginnings
The inaugural Met Gala took place over 70 years ago, in 1948. Fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert organized the gala dinner to raise funds for the newly established Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum. Known as the “godmother of American fashion,” Lambert founded the Council of Fashion Designers of America and New York Fashion Week. She introduced a ticket fee of $50, which included the rental of a dress from the museum’s collection.
In its early days, the Met Gala was a far cry from the extravagant event we know today. The dinner and exhibition themes were unrelated, and guests were not required to wear grandiose costumes—a traditional black tie sufficed. For many years, the event was held at various venues such as the Waldorf Astoria hotel, the Rainbow Room club, and even Central Park. It wasn’t until 1960 that the gala was first held in the Metropolitan Museum’s Great Hall.
Rising Stardom and Increasing Prices
Following her tenure at Vogue US, Diana Vreeland took charge of the Costume Institute’s gala as the event organizer. The legendary editor introduced numerous innovations, inviting not only the elite but also celebrities. Exhibitions began to focus on designers rather than historical costumes, and the Met Gala parties became themed events. The first thematic party, “The World of Balenciaga,” honored the iconic Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. Since then, guests have been required to adhere to a dress code, with their outfits reflecting a central theme—a tradition that continues to this day.
The 1974 Met Gala is considered a pivotal moment, as stars began to carefully select their outfits. For 28-year-old Cher, this gala marked her debut, where she wore a legendary sheer dress with white embroidery. In 2015, Kim Kardashian would later don a replica of this dress on the red carpet. Roberto Cavalli’s interpretation was among the top outfits of the evening, reviving the trend of bare beauty that began with the eccentric styles of the 1970s.
In 1979, two socialites, Nan Kempner and Pat Buckley, took over from Diana Vreeland. Under their leadership, the gala dinner was held in various parts of the museum, including the cafeteria. Tickets were now priced at $1,000.
From Intimate Dinner to Fashion’s Oscars: Memorable Balls
The arrival of the formidable Anna Wintour marked a significant turning point for the Met Gala. Until 1999, Anna co-chaired the event with Elizabeth Tilberis from Harper’s Bazaar, after which she took full control. Under Anna’s leadership, the guest list expanded so much that a red carpet became necessary. She also introduced the idea of inviting companies for additional funding, transforming the Met Gala from an intimate dinner into fashion’s Oscars.
1997: Versace
The murder of Gianni Versace on July 15, 1997, sent shockwaves through the fashion world. It was only fitting that the Costume Institute’s exhibition and the Met Gala were dedicated to his memory. All guests arrived in Versace: Madonna in a star-printed silk dress reminiscent of a toga, Salma Hayek in a daring black dress with bold cutouts, and Donatella Versace, despite the family tragedy, in a sexy gold bustier dress.
2006: Designers and Stars
Wintour also established the tradition of pairing designers with the stars they dress. In 2006, with the theme “Anglomania,” Sarah Jessica Parker walked the carpet with Alexander McQueen. Both were dressed in outfits featuring Scottish tartan.
2009: A Ball Dedicated to Models
Fashion would be nothing without its muses—the models. The 2009 ball was dedicated to them, with the exhibition exploring the relationship between high fashion and the ever-changing ideals of beauty. The dinner attracted an unprecedented number of guests, with Kate Moss and Marc Jacobs as the evening’s first lady and gentleman.
2010: An Evening Dedicated to Alexander McQueen
The fashion world was once again shaken by the death of a designer. On February 11, 2010, just nine days after his mother’s passing, the recognized genius Alexander McQueen took his own life. Andrew Bolton hastily curated the iconic “Savage Beauty” exhibition. The evening served as a tribute to the designer’s creativity, with all guests dressed in archival pieces from the house. The exhibition itself broke all records and was later modernized and displayed in various museums worldwide.
2015: Rihanna’s Omelette Dress and All About China
The year 2015 is remembered for Rihanna’s omelette dress, but it was far from the only standout outfit at the ball themed “China: Through the Looking Glass.” Stars aimed to dress as extravagantly as possible while maintaining a deliberately Asian style. The ball was such a success that a documentary film, “The First Monday in May,” was made about it.
2018: A Dialogue Between Fashion and Religion
The dialogue between fashion and religion took place at the Costume Institute in 2018. Blake Lively made history in a burgundy Versace dress with gold embroidery. While not all guests opted for extravagant outfits, they went all out with their headpieces. There were also some unexpected yet theme-appropriate outfits, such as Zendaya in Joan of Arc armor and Lena Waithe in a rainbow cape by Carolina Herrera.
2020: A Challenge Instead of a Ball
Due to the cancellation of the 2020 ball, the Costume Institute compensated with an online exhibition preview and launched a challenge. Viewers were invited to recreate past outfits and share them on Instagram with the hashtag #metgalachallenge.
2021: Revival
“I think American fashion is experiencing a revival,” Andrew Bolton stated in an interview with Vogue. This sentiment was reflected in the exhibition “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” divided into two parts. The 2021 ball, held on September 13th, is remembered for Billie Eilish’s chiffon dress, Hunter Schafer’s alien-like outfit, and the creative manifesto of Demna Gvasalia embodied by Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Kanye West.
2022: Kim Kardashian in Marilyn Monroe’s Famous Dress
In 2022, fashion historians were horrified and declared that the stars had failed the ball. Many stars took the theme “Gilded Glamour” literally. The fashion of the Gilded Age was all about excess—voluminous dresses, various colors, and an abundance of jewelry.
