As the beginning of October encroaches upon us, I’m feeling exited for something other than pumpkin spice fever and Halloween. It’s almost time for the theme of the MET gala to be announced! Aren’t you excited?
Well, if you’re reading my blog posts because you’re required to for CAS 137, I understand if you aren’t. That’s ok- I’m going to explain why you should be!
Let’s start at the beginning- what is the MET gala? I’m glad you asked! The MET gala is officially a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where celebrities and fashion fanatics collide in one spectacular evening to visit the exclusive opening of the MET’s Costume Institute’s featured gallery. Unofficially (well, I guess it is pretty much official), the MET gala is the showcase of “who’s who” in the celebrity world. Going to the MET gala is an honor within itself- you must be invited to buy a ticket, which can range upwards of $30,000 a pop. Celebrities attend the event in order to boost their own status (and flex on all of us poor college students who can only dream of going), and a memorable appearance can do wonders on increasing visibility to the public, movie producers, important designers and brands, wealthy sponsors, and everyone else in the world.
As an event highlighting the MET’s Costume Institute, what you wear to the event is incredibly important. Each year has a specific theme aligning with the featured exhibition, so attendees are officially encouraged to dress the part. However, some cowardly attendees stick to more traditional attire, as the themes usually range from elaborate to downright bizarre. Of course, the traditional attire is just as expensive and refined as the occasion calls for- this is a black tie affair, though some years people have chosen more casual attire (usually to make a statement). The red carpet of the MET gala is a great platform for both celebrities and the designers that dress them, so some seize the limelight to shed light on an issue they care about.
The MET gala is the first Monday in May, so there’s still plenty of time to prepare for your Red Carpet Viewing Party. The theme is usually announced in early October, so that designers and celebrities alike have ample time to prepare for the biggest night of the year for fashion (and yours truly). Celebrities, their sponsors, and their PR teams need the time to prepare the outfit- no matter what you wear to the Gala, your outfit will be scrutinized and deconstructed by fashion experts, TV show hosts, and millions of people around the globe tuning in from their couches and beds dressed in their pajamas (or maybe that’s just me….). Attendees must decide whether they will attempt to fit the theme, whether they want to make a political/ethical statement, or whether they will play it safe on the red carpet. The jewelry, hair pieces, clothing, accessories, shoes, hair, and makeup must all be meticulously arranged and coordinated, as even the most inconsequential detail can spawn hundreds of articles and angry tweets (have you read about Kanye West’s colored contacts at the 2016 MET gala?). Celebrities are criticized no matter what they wear, on theme or not, and the outfits and appearances are talked about for years to come.
Hopefully this year’s theme will be as fun as 2018’s Heavenly Bodies exhibit- I really enjoyed the outfits and their religious symbolism, and the creativity of the attendees. Stay tuned for any updates, and I’ll be sure to post when the theme is released! Next time I’ll be sure to talk about my favorite (and least favorite) ensembles and themes room previous gala.
