Vogue is the world’s premier fashion magazine. And there is no greater night for fashion than Vogue’s seminal MET Gala.
Whether attendees wear haute couture or look a hot mess, the MET Gala is a night to introduce a new fashion-themed exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). But what makes the night truly special is the dress code theme that corresponds with the new exhibit.
In the past, the themes have either been a hit or a miss. However, this year’s theme is brewing excitement, as it is the first theme in years that the exhibit allows for lots of imagination.
This year’s theme is ‘The Garden of Time,’ inspired by the popular JD Ballinger short story of the same name. As well, the exhibit being introduced into the MET is ‘Sleeping Beauties,’ showcasing iconic garments from centuries past.
While this theme is being welcomed with open arms, some of the themes of past Gala’s have led to some major disappointment. Considering last year’s theme, this onlooker is hoping that no celebrity comes dressed in a cat prosthetic.
Last year’s theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. This theme was met with a large pushback from the fashion industry, as the legacy of the late Karl Lagerfeld was tarnished with accusations of discrimination.
According to The Costume Institute’s chief curator, Andrew Bolton, every “exhibition should generate debate.”
Despite last year’s “controversial theme,” the years prior were in perfect tandem as sister themes. 2022’s MET Gala was themed In America: An Anthology of Fashion, and 2021 was themed In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.
These years were the Gala’s comeback from COVID, an attempt to restore the event’s status as THE night of fashion. These comeback themes have scarcely made ripples, whereas themes like “Camp” and “Heavenly Bodies” made waves in the world of pop culture.
While people remember this event as a night strictly showcasing fashion, the MET Gala is first and foremost a fundraiser for The Costume Institute. Raising millions of dollars each year, this fundraiser has celebrities, designers, and socialites begging for an invite.
The notorious Anna Wintour is in charge of sending out invitations, with every attendee paying approximately $50,000 for a ticket. However, some designers pay for entire tables so their clients can sit together, which is estimated at $300,000.
This seems like an astronomical amount to the average person, but this money goes toward the exhibits this year. As this year’s exhibit showcases the Sleeping Beauties of fashion, they have utilized the money raised from last year’s Gala to split the exhibit into three parts.
With the different segments of the exhibit showcasing Sleeping Beauties from sky, sea, and earth, The Costume Institute’s display consists of jewels and garments that fit in these three ecosystems.
Each year, Anna Wintour hand-selects fantastic celebrities to represent both the exhibit and the event to the best of their ability. Serving as the chairs of the Gala, Wintour has chosen four big names to represent the MET.
Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Hemsworth, and Bad Bunny are the four who are expected to serve wickedly good looks, and to chair the entire event. Conducting interviews, overlooking the red carpet, and hosting the event are all responsibilities that fall upon the chairs.
Some memorable chairs of the year’s past include Keke Palmer, Michaela Coel, and Dua Lipa. While some iconic celebrities host broadcasts from the carpet instead of chairing, they are able to showcase the event for the average person to have a glimpse into the expensive extravagances of the Gala.
However, the actual carpet itself fell short of looking expensive at last year’s Gala. Resembling the red and blue swirls found in Colgate toothpaste, the only guests who looked flattering on the carpet was the cockroach who snuck up the steps.
Despite the ups and downs of controversial themes, pricey tickets, and stowaway insects, the 2024 MET Gala should truly be a pivotal night in pop culture history. ‘Sleeping Beauties’ may in fact become one of the event’s most successful themes.
So, get your fire extinguishers ready, because this year’s Gala is preparing to be haute.
