Met Gala
10 exciting facts to brag about
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On Monday, May 6th, it’s finally that time again! The Met Gala has become the most glamorous fashion party of the year under the leadership of Anna Wintour. We reveal 10 exciting facts about the charity event that no star wants to miss.
1. No phone policy
It’s hard to believe, but even for the stars there is actually a strict ban on cell phones at the Met Gala. Although the VIPs like to ignore this with funny group photos in the toilet, no one should dare to ask boss Anna Wintour for a selfie together. This could lead to immediate expulsion.
2. Fashion highlights since 1948
The Met Gala was founded by legendary fashion journalist Eleanor Lambert, the keeper of the best-dressed lists. Beginning in 1948, she hosted an annual fundraising dinner that took place at varying locations (including the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the Rockefeller Center, and Central Park). Admission price at the time: 50 euros.
In the 1970s, the eccentric Diana Vreeland took over as chairman. She introduced crucial changes that continue to this day. Not only was the Metropolitan Museum chosen as the venue, Vreeland also introduced the annually changing mottos.
3. Almost 400 top secret guests
The Met Gala guest list is one of the best-kept secrets around. Only those who are personally approved by Anna Wintour are allowed to come. To ensure that the event remains exclusive despite the gigantic media interest, the cut was made at around 400 guests. No matter how rich a person may be, there can’t be more.
4. A table for half a million euros
Inflation doesn’t stop at the world’s most famous fashion party. At $75,000 per person, tickets are more expensive this year than ever before. Tables start at (!) $350,000 – but costs can easily reach half a million dollars.
Fashion labels usually book entire tables and then invite their favorite stars, who they then directly supply with their creations. The advertising value of a Met appearance is in the millions and reaches hundreds of millions of users around the world, not least thanks to social media.
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5. Anna Wintour Costume Center
As a thank you for her service to the Metropolitan Museum, in May 2014, after a two-year renovation, a wing of the costume department was renamed the “Anna Wintour Costume Center” after the legendary Vogue boss. Visibly moved, she attended the ceremony where then First Lady Michelle Obama cut the ribbon with Wintour. She has chaired the event since 1995 and, thanks to her excellent contacts, made it the mega event it is today.
6. “The First Monday in May”
The documentary “The First Monday in May” provides an exciting look behind the scenes, which accompanies the Costume Institute team and the Vogue editorial team as they prepare for the Met Gala 2015 with the title “China: Through The Looking Glass”. For eight months, director Andrew Rossi followed Andrew Bolton, Anna Wintour and co.
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In addition to the strategic structure of the exhibition, the organization of the exhibits and discussions with sponsors and guests of honor, a trip of the power duo to China is also shown. The huge planning board of the table arrangements and house-high flower arrangements that are discussed in Wintour’s private home give the audience an idea of the meticulousness and perfection with which work has been carried out here over many months.
7. 22 million dollars in one evening
The 2023 Met Gala raised a record $22 million in donations for the museum. No other event in the cultural scene can keep up with these values. And if you consider that tickets have become even more expensive this year, we can probably expect the next record for the current year.
8. The dress code varies – and expect great things
The theme of the Met Gala is always based on the spring exhibition that the Costume Institute opens in May. This year, viewers can look forward to “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” conceived and implemented by chief curator Andrew Bolton. The motto and thus also the dress code of the Met Gala, however, is “The Garden of Time”.
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It is a short story by JG Ballard from 1962 in which the development of humanity – and thus the permanent cycle of construction and destruction – is metaphorically traced. In the story, an aristocratic couple lives in a remote country house surrounded by beautiful objects, art and books. An angry mob approaches the estate, but the main character can turn back time by picking his crystal flowers in the garden. At least until the last flower is picked and the end is near.
9. Changing co-chairs each year
Every year, Met Gala boss Anna Wintour invites changing co-chairs from the arts and culture scene. In 2024, Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, Chris Hemsworth and Bad Bunny will host the glamorous party with her. The co-chairs are the only guests whose presence is officially known in advance. This year’s honorary chairs are Loewe chief designer Jonathan Anderson and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.
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10. Political TikTok controversy
One of the sponsors of the Met Gala 2024 is the Chinese social media app TikTok. This is a problem, to say the least, because politicians in Washington are currently aiming for a ban on TikTok in the United States of America.