What is it?
The Met Gala, officially known as the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute benefit, is an annual black-tie extravaganza held on the first Monday in May to raise funds for the museum’s fashion wing. Unofficially, it is considered the party of the year, the Oscars of the East Coast, and an ATM for the Met, raising millions of dollars in donations. What makes this event so successful? Two words: Anna Wintour. The Vogue editor-in-chief has been the chief mastermind of the gala since 1999, and she has transformed it into a showcase for Vogue’s view of the world.
When is it?
This year, the Met Gala takes place on May 1st, signaling the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual blockbuster show. This year’s show, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” is a tribute to the imagination and creativity of Mr. Lagerfeld, the iconic designer who passed away in 2019. The theme of the gala is “In Honor of Karl,” and guests have been instructed to dress accordingly.
Is there a Theme?
Unlike past themes, this year’s event will most likely be less costume-y. There may well be a lot of pseudo-Karls, as the designer was famous for his personal style, which included a white powdered ponytail, dark glasses, fingerless leather gloves, black jeans, and black jackets. His love for his white Birman cat, Choupette, is also expected to inspire some of the attendees.
Who’s Hosting?
Ms. Wintour has handpicked this year’s co-chairs, including Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, and Dua Lipa. The host combo is all about the mix: sports, music, and movies. Ms. Cruz has been a Chanel ambassador since 2018, and Ms. Wintour is a close friend of Mr. Federer’s. Dua Lipa and Michaela Coel both appeared on the cover of Vogue last year.
Who’s Defo Coming?
As the annual Met Gala 2023 approaches, excitement builds not just for the fashion on display but also for the A-list celebrities in attendance. While the guest list is notoriously kept under tight wraps, rumors have circulated that basketball player Brittney Griner may make an appearance this year. Meanwhile, past and present Chanel ambassadors, including big names such as Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Marion Cotillard, Kristen Stewart, Charlotte Casiraghi, and Pharrell Williams, are also expected to grace the red carpet with their presence.
One of the key features of the Met Gala is the presence of famous dates accompanying designers, many of whom happen to be brand ambassadors themselves. This creates a perfect opportunity for fashion houses to showcase their latest designs through the guests who act as walking advertisements. Last year, for instance, Louis Vuitton women’s wear designer Nicolas Ghesquière brought along a star-studded entourage, including Emma Stone, Jung Ho-yeon, Gemma Chan, Cynthia Erivo, Phoebe Dynevor, Sophie Turner, and Joe Jonas. Meanwhile, Jeremy Scott, the former creative director of Moschino, was joined by Megan Thee Stallion, Iris Law, and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez.
While rumors circulated for a brief moment that the Kardashians may have been left off the guest list this year, it has since been confirmed that they have indeed been invited. It is likely that Kim Kardashian will attend, and all eyes will be on her following the controversy surrounding her appearance at the previous year’s event. Kardashian made headlines after reportedly starving herself to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress, raising the stakes around her appearance this time around.
Can you attend?
Unfortunately, attending the Met Gala is an invitation-only affair. Even if you give generously to the museum, you may not qualify for an invitation. Ms. Wintour has the final say over every invitation and attendee, which means that even if a company buys a table, it cannot choose everyone who will sit at that table. This year, about 400 guests have been invited to the gala.
In conclusion, the Met Gala is the most anticipated fashion event of the year, attracting the most influential celebrities and designers. This year’s edition is expected to be an exciting tribute to the iconic Karl Lagerfeld, with a mix of sports, music, and movies. We can’t wait to see what the attendees will wear and how they will honor the legendary designer.
