Fashion's Biggest Night: Met Gala

Zendaya at the Met Gala 2025 with a custom all white three piece Louis Vuitton zoot suit, designed by Pharrell Williams

The History Behind Met Gala

The Met Gala began in 1948 as a midnight supper organization by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert. The event started as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute. The very first gala consisted of only a dinner. During the years of its existence, the Met Gala was one of many annual benefits held in New York. In the early years of the Met Gala's opening, the majority of attendees were from New York's high society or the city's fashion industry.

After Diana Vreeland became a consultant in 1972, the Met Gala began to gain more global recognition, still, it targeted local New York high-societal set. After going global, it became the most prominent and exclusive social event in the world. It is also one of the biggest fundraising events in New York City.

In 1995 Anna Wintour became the main organizer and decision maker for the Met Gala. Her guest list consisted of celebrities from various industries: fashion, entertainment, business, sports, and politics.

Since 1948, the Met Gala has been held on the first Monday in May of each year except in 1957, 2000, 2002, and 2020(due to Covid-19). It resumed in 2021; however, it was held in September rather than in May. Then the following year, it was held in its traditional month, May.

In the present day, the Met Costume Institute is globally renowned. The Met Gala also has been evolving over time to include impactful icons from different aspects of different cultures. The event's red carpet fashions are widely photographed, reviewed, and critiqued. As mentioned, Anna Wintour has led the leadership since 1995 overseas both on the committee and the guest list. In 2014, the individual tickets cost 30,000 US dollars outside of the guest list; however, this price increased by 10,000 dollars to increase the exclusive of the event. Today(2025) the starting ticket cost is 75,000 US dollars. Yet, the entry is not guaranteed. To enter the event, Anna Wintour has to personally approve your entry.