Fashion’s most exclusive event, the Met Gala, returns to the Metropolitan Museum of Art tonight, bringing together Hollywood elites, music icons, and fashion luminaries for a dazzling celebration of style. This year’s theme, “Tailored for You,” ties into the Costume Institute’s groundbreaking exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” opening to the public on May 10.
The Theme & Hosts
Curated by Andrew Bolton, the Met’s head of the Costume Institute, this year’s theme explores Black dandyism—from its 18th-century origins to its revival during the Harlem Renaissance—and its enduring influence on modern fashion. Monica Miller, Africana Studies chair at Barnard College, serves as guest curator.
The gala’s co-chairs include:
- Colman Domingo (Emmy-winning actor)
- Lewis Hamilton (F1 champion and fashion icon)
- A$AP Rocky (rapper and style trailblazer)
- Pharrell Williams (Louis Vuitton’s men’s creative director)
They’ll join Anna Wintour, Vogue’s editor-in-chief and longtime gala orchestrator, alongside honorary chair LeBron James.
Who’s Attending?
While the guest list remains tightly under wraps, confirmed attendees include:
- Athletes: Simone Biles, Angel Reese, Sha’Carri Richardson
- Musicians: Usher, Janelle Monáe, Doechii, Tyla
- Actors: Ayo Edebiri, Regina King
- Designers: Grace Wales Bonner, Dapper Dan, Olivier Rousteing
Inside the Gala
The night begins with the iconic red carpet, where celebrities interpret the theme in bold, avant-garde looks. Past standouts—like Elle Fanning’s ethereal bird gown (2024) and Lana Del Rey’s thorny headpiece—set high expectations for this year’s sartorial spectacle.
Behind the scenes, guests enjoy exclusive previews of the exhibition, a lavish dinner, and curated seating by Wintour herself. (Per The New York Times, she has “final say” on every invite.) Phones are discouraged, but leaks—like Bella Hadid’s 2017 bathroom smoking scandal—still slip through.
A High-Stakes Fundraiser
Beyond the glitz, the gala is a critical fundraiser for the Met’s Costume Institute, raising $22 million in 2023. Tickets reportedly cost five figures, with tables exceeding $300,000.
Met Gala History & Memorable Themes
Launched in 1948 by publicist Eleanor Lambert, the gala began as a modest $50-per-ticket dinner. Under Diana Vreeland (1970s) and later Wintour, it evolved into a global phenomenon.
Notable past themes:
- 1973: The World of Balenciaga (first themed gala)
- 2015: China: Through the Looking Glass
- 2018: Heavenly Bodies (Rihanna’s papal gown stole the show)
- 2024: The Garden of Time (inspired by J.G. Ballard’s short story)
Banned Guests & Faux Pas
While Anna Wintour rarely blacklists attendees, she famously excluded Donald Trump after his 2017 presidency. Others, like Tina Fey, have boycotted voluntarily, calling the gala a “jerk parade” (Late Show, 2015).
Unwritten rules? No smoking (despite past slip-ups), no stair tumbles (despite memes), and never repeat outfits—as Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang learned in 2023 when they wore the same Chloé dress.
Why It Matters
With $1.4 billion in media impact value (2024), the Met Gala outshines even the Super Bowl in cultural clout. Tonight’s celebration of Black tailoring promises to be another historic chapter in fashion’s biggest night.
Related topics：
