A Guide to The Met Gala
In America: An Anthology of Fashion
by VIVIAN LI ★ MAY 1, 2022
The most anticipated event in the fashion industry lies on the first Monday of May each year, and it is none other than the Met Gala hosted by Vogue’s Anna Wintour. Besides being a prestigious affair where world-renowned designers and A-List celebrities make hundreds of headlines, it is also a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The MoMA is one of the biggest art institutions in the Western Hemisphere conveniently located in the fashion capital of the United States, New York City. Below you will find everything us college girls need to know for this year’s Met Gala:
What is this year’s theme?
The 2022 theme will be the second installment of last year’s “In America” theme with a new focal point, “An Anthology on Fashion.” The theme is designed to commemorate unrecognized designers in American history while appreciating the evolution of the American style. When asked about the theme, the curator at the Met Museum’s Costume Institute, Andrew Bolton, told the New York Times, “I think American fashion is undergoing a renaissance with young American designers at the vanguard of discussions around diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and conscious creativity. I find it incredibly exciting.” The celebration will include various underdog designers, many of which are women whose contributions have gone unnoticed, as well as household-named designers such as Oscar de la Renta and Anna Sui.
The dress code, as described by Vogue, is “on the coveted invitations as gilded glamor.” Think period piece gowns paired with corsets, top hats, and petticoats, and expect guests to encapsulate the avant-garde style of the late 19th century in America. Bridgerton vibes, if you will. Although it is not required to dress on theme to attend, each outfit nevertheless requires approval from Ms. Wintour.
Credit: CNN
Who is in attendance?
Co-hosts of this year’s gala include Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Regina King, and Lin Manuel Miranda. Tom Ford, Adam Mosseri, and Anna Wintour will continue serving as honorary co-chairs. Attendees are still up in the air as the guest list is strictly confidential, however, regular attendees (i.e. Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, Lady Gaga) can be expected to show.
Credit: CNN
How much does a ticket cost?
Speaking of invites, unless you’re fortunate enough to make it on the guest list, tickets start at $30,000 each, with tables costing around $275k. Even if you were able to afford a ticket, you’d have to be approved by Anna Wintour and her team, who have been meticulously selecting the guest list since the mid-90s.
What happens at the met gala?
There are various performances by industry-recognized artists, as well as attendees exploring the gallery before collectively gathering for dinner. Other than that, the answer is nobody truly knows. After all, The Met Gala is regarded as one of the most exclusive events in the world. However, from time to time, we can get a peak on social media of celebrities taking selfies and smoking cigarettes in the restroom, making us all wish we had an invite. It’s fair to say one can only imagine what goes on behind the scenes at the most sought-after ball in American history.
Cover Photo Credit: Pinterest