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
Contact High for Comme
Elbow-rubbing amongst smoke clouds at Rihanna's Met Gala after party at 1 Oak, with Leonardo DiCaprio…
Behind the Scenes at Tory Burch and Kate Bosworth’s Final Met Gala Fitting
Photos, interview with Tory Burch and Kate Bosworth at the final fitting for their Met Gala 2017 dress.
Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez Make Their Red Carpet Debut at the Met Gala
J.Rod takes the Met.
WWD Recommends
Comme As You Are
The looks at the Costume Institute gala ranged from barely there to over-the-top — and everything in…
Selena Gomez and The Weeknd Hit the Met Gala Carpet
The next step after Instagram-official is, of course, red carpet official.
Selena Gomez Is All Smiles Ahead of Met Gala Despite Style Critics
The singer posted a positive message via Instagram hours after her stylist, Kate Young, received criticism…
Rei Kawakubo Preview Breaks Media Record; Met Shop to Sell Limited-Edition Items
Kawakubo designed that Met Shop in her black signature polka dots recast in a shade of The Met's signature…
Exclusive: Céline Dion on the Met Gala and Her 10,000 Pairs of Shoes
"This is like having a kiss for the first time — this is big," explained the singer Sunday at a party hosted…
‘Rei Kawakubo/Commes des Garçons: Art of the In-Between’ Debuts at the Met
A year in the making, the exhibition will run May 4 through Sept. 4, displaying 140 of Kawakubo's designs for…
Christopher Kane, Prabal Gurung on How They Get Ready for the Met Gala
"When did the fashion industry become about celebrities?" said Kane, Friday night from the Farfetch pre Met…
This Designer Has Already Worn Comme des Garçons to the Met Gala
Who will wear Rei Kawakubo's designs on May 1?
Bridget Foley’s Diary: Window Dressing the Barneys Way — Fearlessly
The windows juxtapose the work of Comme des Garçons' Rei Kawakubo with the prolific works of Louise Bourgeois.
Sarah Paulson on Cate Blanchett, Her Met Ball Dress and Marcia Clark
"I've been doing this long enough to know that this is a very unique and special time in my career," the…
Dermatologists and Aestheticians Ready Celeb Skin for Met Gala
New York skin experts are seeing an influx of clients looking to glow at this year's event.
3 Things You Didn’t Know About Beyoncé’s Most Popular Met Gala Looks
According to stylist Ty Hunter.