The Met Gala — Chynna Writes

Entrance of the Metropolitan Museum of Art — The Metropolitan Museum of Art

I LOVE the Met Gala. It’s my absolute favourite event of the year. I know literally nothing about fashion, I just like looking at the outfits and the excitement of seeing the celebs come up the red carpet every year. There’s just something about a bunch of famous people dressing up in the most extravagant outfits you’ve ever seen, only to disappear into a museum and do who knows what. Also, if everyone could start dressing to the theme that would be great. There’s nothing I hate more than a fucking boring black suit when the theme gives you the opportunity to be outrageous as possible. Be better.

History of the Met Gala

The Met Gala is a fundraiser traditionally held on the first Monday in May, which happens to be May 1st this year (very satisfying). The proceeds go towards the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The Costume Institute holds a fashion exhibition every year, which is what decides the theme of the Gala.

Eleanor Lambert (1903-2003)

Fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert established the Met Gala in 1948 as a fundraiser for the newly opened Costume Institute - the first Gala was priced at $50 a ticket, a far cry from the price now (reportedly $50,000 a ticket!). The Gala was held in various locations across New York from 1948-1971, including several high end hotels and Central Park.

Diana Vreeland (1903-1989)

Diana Vreeland (editor-in-chief at Vogue until 1971) became consultant to the Costume Institute in 1972, which marked the evolution of the Met Gala into the glamorous global affair it is today. Whereas previously, the Gala had mostly been attended by New York’s high society and those involved in the fashion industry, Vreeland’s involvement saw famous faces such as Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John, and Diana Ross attending the Gala.

Anna Wintour (1949-)

Anna Wintour, current editor-in-chief at Vogue, has served as chairperson for the Met Gala since 1995, and is reportedly responsible for the sharp rise in price of tickets to the event. Wintour picks the theme, guest list and even approves which designers can be worn to the event.

Whilst tickets are priced at $50k, the event is invite only, and is limited to approximately 600 people. No one really knows what goes on inside the Met Gala - there’s a social media ban inside and, aside from a few bathroom selfies (which we LOVE), all that’s known, aside from the fact the celebs get first look at the fashion exhibition, is that there’s dinner and entertainment.

My Favourite Looks from Past Met Gala Themes

Amanda Gorman in Vera Wang and Chopard

2021 Met Gala ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’

Blake Lively in Atelier Versace

2018 Met Gala ‘Heavenly Bodies’

Zendaya in Dolce & Gabbana Alta Mode

2017 Met Gala ‘Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between’

Chadwick Boseman in Versace

2018 Met Gala ‘Heavenly Bodies’

Zendaya in Atelier Versace

2018 Met Gala ‘Heavenly Bodies’

Rihanna in Guo Pei

2015 Met Gala ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’

Gigi Hadid in Atelier Versace

2018 Met Gala ‘Heavenly Bodies’

Blake Lively in Atelier Versace

2022 Met Gala ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’

Ariana Grande in Vera Wang

2018 Met Gala ‘Heavenly Bodies’

Naomi Campbell in Versace

1995 Met Gala ‘Haute Couture’

As you can see, I clearly have a favourite Met Gala theme.

2023 Met Gala Theme

Karl Lagerfeld (1933-2019) and Choupette, his cat

The theme of the 2023 Met Gala is ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’, with the dress code cited as ‘in honour of Karl’.

Karl Lagerfeld was a hugely successful fashion designer, having been creative director of both Chanel and Fendi as well as his own fashion label simultaneously. He was also the creative lead for Chloé for several years. He was known for his very distinctive look of a white ponytail, dark sunglasses and fingerless gloves (as pictured above) as well as high, starched detachable collars (not pictured).

Lagerfeld has no ‘signature style’ in his designs, although his love of the clean cut black and white aesthetic he so often dressed in himself is prevalent in many of his designs. While wildly successful with most of his designs, there were several that were not as well received, although, reportedly, this never bothered him much.

Lagerfeld’s ready to wear couture looks are, to this day, some of the best in the fashion industry, so we can expect to see several iconic looks at the Met Gala this year. Having been influenced by Baroque and Rococo stylings, a Lagerfeld piece is often instantly recognisable, despite Lagerfeld’s lack of ‘signature’ look.