It began in 1948 as a midnight society dinner and wasn’t held at the Met.
Now, it’s been 70 years since the Met Gala. It is a completely different event, famous for its head-spinning red carpet — although the famed carpeted steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art don’t always look red. Rihanna is a bejeweled pope. Zendaya plays Cinderella in a light-up dress. Katy Perry transforms into a chandelier. Also, Beyonce is in her “naked” dress. Kim Kardashian is in a bodysuit that covers her face. Billy Porter, an Egyptian sun god, was carried on a litter of six shirtless men. Lady Gaga’s 16-minute striptease.
The Met Gala remains a fundraiser. Last year, it raised $16.4 million for Met’s Costume Institute. It also launches the annual spring fashion exhibition that attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the museum.
The main draw is the carpet, which can be viewed live on-demand by everyone. A collection of celebrities from music, movies, and politics makes it the most famous celebrity wattage per square foot party anywhere in the world.
Here’s a primer for the 2022 Met gala which will be held on May 2nd:
AGAIN, ALREADY?
Yes, this was done in the fall. The Met’s Costume Institute has an annual fundraiser that is held on the first Monday of May. However, due to the pandemic, the gala was moved to September.
WHO’S HOSTING THE 2022 MET GALA?
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Regina King are this year’s hosts. Vogue’s Anna Wintour will be overseeing the event as she did in the ’90s. She is joined by Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head of content, and Tom Ford, designer. Ford is also a director of the film and is one of the nine directors featured in the spring exhibit.
Is THERE A THEME?
Yes. This year’s Met Gala theme is “Gilded Glamour, White-Tie,” as guests were told.
The gala’s sartorial theme is “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” the second installment of Andrew Bolton’s two-part show that explores the roots of American fashion.
Through the talents of top film directors such as Martin Scorsese and Sofia Coppola, this exhibit highlights overlooked figures in fashion history. This includes many women and people of color. The American Wing’s period rooms will feature their work. Expect grand fashion that is related to the theme, such as those from HBO’s “The Gilded Age.” It’s not so.
CAN EVERYBODY FOLLOW THE THEME
It’s not true. Some people just want to go big and wild. Some guests will have done extensive research on the theme and will be able to connect with the exhibit. The carpet was a great show, as Rihanna was the pope and Zendaya channeled Joan of Arc. Perry navigated the crowd with an impressive set of angel wings.
WHAT ARE THE FEES FOR A MET GALA TICKLE?
Wrong question. It is not possible to “buy” tickets. It is not possible to “buy” a ticket.
WHAT IF I WERE POWERFUL AND FAMOUS AND INVITED?
You might not make enough to cover your expenses. Companies generally buy tables. For example, Michael Kors would host the desired fashion celebrities or fashion muses. Each paid seat is reportedly about $35,000. However, some guests can be invited free of charge.
THIS MUST BE A EXAGGERATION.
It’s not. Tina Fey can answer this question. She was there in 2010, and later described how she walked around looking for someone “normal”, e.g. She was not very well-known, but she wanted to talk to someone. Barbara Walters was the one who ended up doing it.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED IN THE MET GALA?
You can now watch the entire carpet unfold on Livestream. The carpet is really the main event. (Ask Gaga!)
You can also meet fans in New York City, right across Fifth Avenue. Madison Avenue is even farther away, where they are pressed against the police barricades. Chalamet, last year, ran up to greet his admirers.
DON’T WE KNOW WHO’S COME? WHICH ONE IS COMING?
It’s secret, as we said. However, reports are often leaking about who isn’t coming. Zendaya, fashion icon Zendaya, has revealed that she has other plans. Rihanna is due to give birth so we assume she will skip. But, again, it’s Rihanna, so let’s not assume any. It would be fair to assume that there will be a lot of Kardashians in attendance. According to the New York Post, Eric Adams, New York’s mayor will be there — and very happy. Perry also confirmed that she will be attending, and suggested her hamburger-chandelier days might be overtaken by more traditional attire.
One thing is certain: No one can attend if they haven’t been vaccinated. Guests had to be vaccinated and also take a PCR test. Since people will be drinking and eating throughout the night, masks are unlikely to make an appearance.
WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE MET GALA?
Upon entering the museum, visitors pass a huge flower arrangement in its lobby. One was more than 250,000 white roses. Afterward, they can enjoy cocktails. They can also head to the exhibit. There will be two changes to the museum’s dramatic lobby centerpiece this year. It will remain open for regular visitors for a few more days. Cocktails will be served in the American Wing, making the exhibit very accessible for guests.
They are summoned around 8 p.m. to dinner, possibly by a team of buglers. Gary Oldman once asked the actor: “Are they going to make that between each course?” It’s difficult to describe the dinner or musical performance beyond that. However, you can see clips of Rihanna performing on the tabletops in “The First Monday In May” and it looks great.
