For over 70 years, the annual Met Gala has maintained its place as the biggest night in fashion.
With avant-garde themes, lavish decorations, and some serious star power, the New York red carpet is one of Hollywood’s most standout events for celebrity style, but what happens after the celebrities ascend the famous Metropolitan Museum steps?
While it may be one of the most noteworthy events of the year, the Met Gala has long been shrouded in secrecy and with entry to the fundraiser becoming more exclusive year after year, fashion fans have continued to grow increasingly curious about the inner workings of the Costume Institute’s banquet.
Eager to learn more about fashion’s night of nights? We answer your burning questions about the Met Gala.
How much is a Met Gala ticket?
If you’re hoping to buy a ticket to the biggest night in fashion, be prepared to spend a pretty penny.
According to BBC, an individual ticket to the 2024 Met Gala costs approximately $75,000 ($113,000 AUD). For celebrities or designers hoping to buy a full 10-seat table, the cost of admission is $350,000 ($528,000 AUD).
While the price of entry to the Costume Institute’s annual fundraiser may be exorbitant for the general public, the Met Gala has not always been as expensive. In 1973, paid ticketing for the Met Gala was introduced, with tickets setting attendees back a mere $85.00.
In 1995, current Met Gala trustee and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour took over the organisational responsibilities of the event, with entry to her first Met Gala costing $1,000.
What does the Met Gala raise money for?
The annual Met Gala raises money for the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
With over 33,000 objects in its collection, the Costume Institute is centred around the conservation, restoration, and exhibition of some of the most significant items in the history of fashion.
According to Vogue Business, the 2023 Met Gala set a new record for the annual fashion fundraiser, with ticket sales raising over $22 million for the Costume Institute.
Who gets invited to the Met Gala?
While the exact process of selecting the Met Gala guest list remains a closely guarded secret, invitees are typically a blend of A-list celebrities, fashion designers, high-profile models, musicians, influencers, and other notable figures in the fashion world.
As the Chair of the Met Gala, Anna Wintour has the final say in who attends the annual fundraiser. To generate greater attention and fundraising revenue, the guest list consists of a combination of Hollywood legends, such as Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker, and trending internet celebrities and influencers, including Emma Chamberlain, Kim Kardashian, and Taylor Swift.
Do celebrities pay to go to the Met Gala?
For the vast majority of celebrities, they do not need to pay to attend the Met Gala.
Although purchasing a ticket is necessary to attend, the cost of admission is typically paid by designers or companies who have paid for a full table. After securing a table, invitations are then sent out to stars who will represent the brand or company on the night of the Gala.
While many celebrities attend free of charge, some stars have purchased tables at the Met Gala. Most recently, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton purchased a full table at the 2021 Met Gala, using his allotted tickets to invite young and emerging Black designers to the fundraiser.
“The Met is the biggest fashion event of the year, and for this theme, I wanted to create something that was meaningful and would spark a conversation so that when people see us all together, it will put these Black designers at the top of people’s minds,” he told Vogue.
Does the Met Gala have any rules?
If you’ve been on social media following the Met Gala, you may notice that snaps from our favourite stars are typically taken in the bathroom of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While the stars may love a mirror selfie as much as the rest of us, the reasoning behind the strange location stems from a strict photography ban inside the Met Gala.
Throughout the event, attendees are prohibited from using their phones to take or share any photos on social media, with sources telling The Hollywood Reporter that the rule is “solely to do with guests’ security and enjoyment of the event.”
What food is served at the Met Gala?
The Met Gala menu is chosen each year by Anna Wintour and while there may be an abundance of flavours on the table, the Vogue editor did reveal to Today that chives, onion, and garlic are banned from the event.
Despite being strong flavour favourites in most dishes, Anna revealed that the reasoning behind the exclusions stems primarily from their notorious ability to cause bad breath.
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