Met Gala: get to know everything about this extravagant event

On May 2, the 2022 edition of the MET Gala was held, which came to complete the exhibition In America: An Anthology of Fashion. And it took place in two events, the first part being held in 2021.

Considered the Super Bowl of fashion, the MET Gala is one of the most critical events in this world. This year, the aim was to celebrate and exalt the American fashion community.

Let’s start by knowing the history of this great event.

Origin

The MET Gala is a charity event organized by the New York Museum of Art’s Dress Institute for its benefit. To raise funds for its operation since it houses the most relevant fashion collection in the world.

It has its birth in the year 1948. When Eleanor Lambert, founder of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, took the initiative to organize the event. Until the year 1970, when Diana Vreeland, then director of Vogue magazine, took part as an advisor to the same. In 1973, the gala began to center around a specific theme for each year. And thus, celebrate and honor the fashion industry in its different topics.

From 1999, when Anna Wintour, the current editor of Vogue magazine, takes command of the event until today, working so that it is much more tremendous year after year. Always with the presence of not only characters of fashion but the entertainment world in general.

Protocol

The Met Gala is held every year, choosing the first Monday in May for it since 2005.

Since 1973, a specific theme has been selected for the event, inspired by the world of fashion. This generates a dress code that those who attend must abide by.

As for the attendees, they must cancel a ticket to the event. However, (and despite having to pay to go), the approval of whether a person can participate or not depends on Anna Wintour, the main organizer of the gala.

It is one of the events with the greatest media coverage. And where important figures from the world of cinema, television, music, royalty, politics, and of course, fashion converge, among others, go. The moment of the red carpet has become a must to see every year.

Place of the event

The first edition of the gala was held in the Rainbow Room of Rockefeller Center.

Since 1960, the event has been held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Selecting different areas of it, such as the Great Hall, the Temple of Dendur, and the balcony, among others, to carry it out.

Occasions in which the MET Gala was not held

The realization of the event has been interrupted on a few occasions by situations of great magnitude, such as:

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

In 2000, when Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld had differences regarding the event. Once the theme of the gala was chosen, which was the House of Chanel, well, it was not something serious, but it was enough to suspend it.

The fall of the twin towers at the Wall Trade Center in 2000.

And thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

MET Gala Themes

As mentioned above, each year, the event has a different theme, from which a dress code is established with which attendees must comply.

Thus, the gala takes place in various stages. Starting with the runway on the red carpet, a cocktail hour, and a tour of the exhibition in the museum to go on to a formal dinner, which is complemented by a show by the artists selected.

The theme selected for 2020 was About Time: Fashion and Duration. It was suspended due to the still-current pandemic.

For 2021, they decided to divide the event into two parts. Opening the exhibition on September 13, 2021, and carrying the name In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, an exploration of fashion in the United States and its various cultural identities.

Theme for 2022

This year the exhibition that began in 2021 was called In America: A Lexicon of Fashion and is completed with In America: An Anthology of Fashion. It reviews American fashion from the 18th century to the present. And that seeks to show how fashion reflects the evolution of identity through history in the US.

Therefore, the first part of the exhibition focused on language, what fashion expresses. And its relationship with issues such as equality, inclusion, and diversity, among others.

Now, this edition that we enjoyed just a few days ago, In America: An Anthology of Fashion, sought to focus on a review of both male and female clothing. From the 18th century to the present day. And achieving that, in each of the museum areas, various references to the history of fashion will be recreated.

Dress code for 2022

One of the most outstanding characteristics of this event lies in the dress code that attendees must adhere to. This is perhaps what attracts the most attention and occupies covers and news about it.

For this year, they chose that the clothing would be inspired by Gilded Glamor. This is allusive to the garments worn between 1870 and 1900 in North America. Specifically in high society people, where much importance was given to opulence and very loaded suits. As well as types of fabrics typical of wealthy people.

A perfect example of how this assistance code is found in the recently released HBO series The Gilded Age and the movie The Age of Innocence.

Red carpet

The red carpet is the most anticipated coverage of this event. We see the celebrities wearing the best outfits and styling for that night.

This year, the outstanding one who caused the most significant impact was the actress Blake Lively. With the help of Versace, she wore a design that presented a double tail, which changed color when untied, alluding to the change it had undergone over time, the Statue of Liberty. It was initially of a copper color but now has a turquoise tone due to oxidation and other contaminants.

But another celebrity who has also made people talk and who sought to stand out among the attendees was the businesswoman and model Kim Kardashian. She wore the iconic dress used by Marilyn Monroe when she sang happy birthday to President. The loan for the use of the dress was authorized only on the red carpet. It was forbidden to sit down or eat drinks or food with it.

Other notable celebrities

Although the rules are obvious, not everyone complies with this dress code. However, it is necessary to name those who did adapt to the theme and also stood out on their way through the red carpet:

Billie Eilish in Gucci.

Shawn Mendes wore an exquisite set by Tommy Hilfiger. He had one of the best suits of the event.

Megan Thee Stallion wore a gold Moschino dress.

The Mexican Eiza González, by Michael Kors’ hand, has a white dress embroidered by hand with crystals and ostrich feathers.

Cynthia Erivo wore a dress embellished with lace, Louis Vuitton.

Julianne Moore, in a Tom Ford with a design inspired by a dress worn by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1963.

And last but not least (and controversial too), Kylie Jenner, wearing an Off-White wedding dress from the Virgil Abloh collection.

We know that in what follows, a new theme will surprise us and grab our attention, but for now, this edition has undoubtedly been one of the most striking in recent times.