Once a year the biggest names in fashion, celebrity and philanthropy gather together on the steps of New York’s world-famous Metropolitan Museum of Art for one of society's most exclusive events. Held on the first Monday in May, every May, the Met Gala has become a staple in the fashion calendar, often referred to as the hottest night in fashion. Generating some of the finest red carpet looks in history, viral meme-able content, controversial moments and so much more, The Met Gala has given us much to discuss over the years, and yet, many are unsure what the event even is. Raising a monumental $17.4 million in 2022 for the Costume Institute, the impact of the gala on the preservation, conservation and creation of educational exhibitions is undeniable.

Established in 1948 by famed fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, The Met Ball, as it can also be known, was founded with the aim of raising much-needed funds for the costume institute of the Met Museum. The first event, on a much smaller and less grand scale than that seen today, comprised a sit-down dinner with tickets costing around 50 dollars each. While held for an honourable cause, the gala was not viewed any differently or with any superiority to other charitable events held annually in New York at the time. In its earliest years, the affair was held in numerous locations including Central Park and the Waldorf Astoria.

Eleanor Lambert, founder of the Met Gala.

It wasn’t until the editor-in-chief of Vogue and beloved fashion editor Diana Vreeland became a consultant to the costume institute in 1971 that the Met Gala became a recognisable, global and, most importantly, glamorous entity. Under her watchful eye, the event grew in scale with the guest list expanding from high society to high-profile celebrities, and dress code themes were introduced. Now a main principle of the modern gala, it is perhaps difficult to imagine the event with no set theme!

Today, the Met Gala is predominantly the work of Vogue America editor-in-chief Anne Wintour and head curator of the costume institute, Andrew Bolton. With Bolton working diligently year in, and year out to create some of the world’s most extensive fashion exhibitions, Wintour takes on the task of organising and hosting the eminent night. Following behind the scenes of the creation of the 2015 exhibition and adjacent gala, The First Monday In May (2016) offers an intimate insight into the preparations for the Chinese-inspired exhibit as well as a rare glimpse into the work life of Anna Wintour.

Unsurprisingly, the Met Gala is exceedingly exclusive. In 2014, an individual ticket for someone outside the official guest list cost an eye-watering $30,000 and yet, prices have risen to a reportedly staggering $50,000 in 2023. Even if one can afford to splash this amount of cash, it is not certain to guarantee you a place at a table. Tightly monitored by Anna Wintour, the guest list is carefully curated to include only the creme de la creme. Fashion houses and designers have the possibility to purchase a table for the event (starting at $250k), choosing to invite and then dress a small handful of guests. Many of these specific guests end up attending free of charge. What takes place once guests have walked the red carpet is mostly up to speculation. Guests take a quick tour of the exhibition before sitting down to a meal with entertainment. There is a no selfie/social media regulation in place, however, this tends to be ignored, especially in the bathrooms!

Each year, a dress code theme is given that correlates to the theme of the costume institute’s exhibition. This code not only sets the atmosphere for the affair but helps dictate red-carpet fashion choices. For 2023, the exhibition is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty meanwhile the dress theme is ‘in honour of Karl’.