Met Gala
Since 1948, the Met Gala has served as the primary fundraiser for the Met Museum's Costume Institute. Fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, the woman behind Press Week (which morphed into New York Fashion Week), established the Met Gala, which marks the opening of the annual Costume Institute exhibit.
In 1972, Diana Vreeland, the former editor in chief of Vogue, became a consultant for the Costume Institute. Under her tenure, more celebrities — including Cher, Liza Minnelli and Elizabeth Taylor — began attending the themed gala, alongside the New York society set.
Anna Wintour became lead chair in 1995, and has held the reins since then — save for 1996, when fashion editor Liz Tilberis led the event. Wintour curates the guest list herself, approving attendees. Condé Nast, where Wintour is chief content officer, sponsors the event.
The Met Gala has been graced by many designers, including Marc Jacobs, Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons and Karl Lagerfeld, and A-list celebrities, including Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.
The elaborate red carpet moments really started in 2004, when the theme was “Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century.” That year, model and actress Amber Valletta wore a Marie Antoinette punk rock-inspired look that year, with a nude corset by Maggie Norris Couture and skirt by John Galliano, complete with an 18th-century hairstyle.
Since 2005, the Met Gala has been held the first Monday in May, with exceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2023, tickets to the event cost $50,000, versus $50 when the event first started.
Met Gala looks often go viral on social media — Rihanna's 2015 yellow fur trim Guo Pei robe is one example. Other notable looks have included Lady Gaga's four-in-one Brandon Maxwell outfit-change moment in 2019, and 2023, when Doja Cat dressed as a cat (channeling the theme, "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," with a look inspired by Lagerfeld's beloved cat, Choupette).
Met Gala
This Year at the Met Gala, Laura Kim Is Getting Her Michael Bloomberg Selfie
Kim talked her Met Gala day-of schedule (which includes a doctor's visit to make sure she can wear heels) at…
The Met Counts on Vatican for Costume Institute’s Spring Exhibition Pieces
The multilayered exhibition will be held at The Met Fifth Avenue in both the medieval galleries and the Anna…
Laura Dern, the Year in Style
From the Met Gala alongside Gabriela Hearst to Dior's Los Angeles cruise show, Dern has emerged as one of the…
WWD Recommends
They Are…Putting Out the Cigarettes
For Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, smoking is so last spring, darling.
Katy Perry’s Met Gala Outfit Had a Hidden Message About Her New Album
Did you catch it?
Met Museum Responds to Celebs Smoking at the Costume Institute Gala
Bella Hadid, Dakota Johnson, Stella McCartney and others were pictured on social media puffing cigarettes at…
Keri Russell Loves Shopping Online While Lying in Bed
The actress showed support for Sylvana Ward Durrett and Luisana Mendoza Roccia's Maisonette.com at the launch…
Sharing is Caring: The Nominees for the CFDA Swarovski Award Are All in This Together
Laura Vassar, Kristopher Brock, Sander Lak, Gabriela Hearst, and Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim celebrated…
Serena Williams on Pregnancy Style, the Met Gala and Burberry
"I want to be a sexy pregnant person — you can do it!"
Chanel Cruise 2018: Greece Is the Word
Karl Lagerfeld unfurled a treasure trove of cultural references for his show in Paris, inspired by Ancient…
How Allison Williams’ Met Gala Dress Was a Nod to Her Early Days On “Girls”
Marnie Michaels, remembered.
Rei Kawakubo Goes Vintage Shopping
The designer and her husband Adrian Joffe hit Vintage India NYC on Lexington Avenue.
Why Laura Dern and Gabriela Hearst Were a Met Gala Match Made in Heaven
The duo has quite a lot in common.
Lena Dunham’s Met Gala Dress Was Anything But Expected According to Her Stylist
The reason the "Girls" actress changed up her look.
There Was More to Priyanka Chopra’s Met Gala Dress Than Meets the Eye
The clever design element you didn't see on the red carpet.