Introduction
The Met Gala held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, welcomes a wide range of elite individuals every year. This charity event raises around 22 million dollars annually, primarily being donated towards fashion exhibits at the museum. Its publicity makes it extremely popular, and has grown since the beginning of its first debut. Making this event one of the world’s prestigious fashion events.
History of The Met Gala
The Met Gala, an iconic event in the fashion world, has a rich history that dates back to its inception in December 1948. Conceived by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, the event began as a modest midnight dinner with an entry fee of just $50, aimed at raising funds for the Costume Institute. Held at the Waldorf Astoria, it quickly earned the name “Party of the Year,” with guests wearing their finest attire to celebrate the opening of the institute’s annual exhibit. The gala’s transformation into a grand spectacle began in the 1970s, largely due to the influence of Diana Vreeland, the legendary Vogue editor-in-chief who served as a special advisor to the Costume Institute. Under her guidance, the gala adopted its first theme in 1973, honoring the late Cristóbal Balenciaga, which set the stage for future thematic celebrations.
Throughout the 1980s and the 1990s, the Met Gala continued to evolve, with themes exploring diverse cultural and historical influences, such as “ The Manchu Dragon: Costumes of China” in 1980 and “The Age of Napoleon: Costume from the Revolution to Empire” in 1989. These themes not only celebrated fashion but also highlighted its intersection with global cultures and historical eras. The turn of the millennium marked a significant shift in the gala’s profile, as it began to attract a wider array of celebrities and media attention. Anna Wintour, who became chair of the event in 1995, played a pivotal role in this transformation, elevating the gala to a star-studded affair that draws A-list celebrities from around the world.
Under Wintour’s leadership, the Met Gala has become prominent with high fashion and creativity, featuring themes like “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” in 2018 and “Camp: Notes on Fashion” in 2019. Today, the Met Gala is not only a celebration of fashion but also a crucial fundraising event for the Costume Institute, raising millions annually to support its exhibitions and programs. Anna Wintour’s careful selection of the guest list and her unique visionary leadership have been significant in maintaining the gala’s allure and prestige, increasing her status as a key figure in fashion.
The Guest List
The Met Gala, which is known to be an extremely exclusive event, has a determination factor of which guests will attend for the year. Anna Wintour, known for her high roles in fashion, such as being the editor-in-chief for Vogue, oversees the potential invitees that will make the final cut to attend this fundraiser. Popstars, models, influencers, fashion outlets and more are seeking to stick out for Anna Wintour, but how does she determine who will be the special guests for the year?
Holding the second longest Vogue career, many label Anna as a fashion icon. Anna is pictured at the beginning of her career in 1988.
The process of elimination is quite simple for Anna Wintour. Merely, she is given a compiled set of trending individuals as well as given brand requests by her fellow Vogue staff. Starting off, Anna firstly determines the set of brands she will accept, as these are the biggest contributors to the extravagance of the event and spreads publicity towards possible guests. Anna also looks at people who will be financial assets towards the fundraiser, people who will be able to purchase tickets and tables which will provide more revenue. The main guests that we see are the A-list celebrities. However, Anna decides these last. Most celebrities that are invited are either invited or requested by brands. These stars have the most relevance or connections in pop culture like a high social status, knowing fellow designers, or celebrities who Anna thinks will embody the Met Gala theme the best.
Anna has approved around over 600 guests per year, hosting and approving figures like Princess Diana and Jeff Bezos. The 2025 guest list contains brands and celebrities that are known to the public eye, such as A$AP Rocky, Simone Biles, Colman Domingo, and more to come.
Impact on the World
Each year, millions tune in worldwide to witness the array of celebrities who attend, showcasing their unique interpretations of the event’s theme through extravagant outfits. This excites audiences, not only for the fashion but also for the opportunity to see their favorite stars in a glamorous setting. The event doesn’t just include mere red carpet appearances, but live works of art made by fashion geniuses. Ultimately, the Met Gala captivates an audience by blending high fashion with celebrity allure, creating a night that celebrates both individual expression and collective imagination.
Mob for the gala.
Every year individuals wait for their favorite celebrities to walk out towards the red carpet. Fans craze and have reached over barriers, inching to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Conclusion
The Met Gala is an incredible event that goes beyond just fancy clothes and famous people. It started small in 1948, but now it’s a huge deal that everyone looks forward to each year. Thanks to Anna Wintour, the gala has become a place where fashion and art can come together, raising a great deal of earnings for the Costume Institute. People all over the world watch to see how celebrities and designers creatively interpret the unique themes, making it a night full of surprises and excitement. In the end, the Met Gala shows us how fashion can be a powerful way to express ourselves and connect with others.
Works Cited:
- Friedman, V. (2025, April 23). Met Gala 2025 Guide: Hosts, Theme, How to Watch and More. The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2025, from https://www.nytimes.com/article/met-gala-2025-theme-hosts-watch.html
- Lang, C. (2024, May 2). How Do You Get Invited to the Met Gala? Time. Retrieved April 23, 2025, from https://time.com/6970048/how-to-get-invited-met-gala/
- Sim, B. (2024, May 6). The Met Gala’s history & evolution, explained. Out Magazine. Retrieved April 23, 2025, from https://www.out.com/fashion/met-gala-explained#rebelltitem9
- Waxman, O. B. (2024, May 1). The History Behind the Met Gala | TIME. Time. Retrieved April 23, 2025, from https://time.com/6972918/met-gala-history/
