History of Met Gala in Timeline
The Met Gala, an annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, is considered the world's most prestigious fashion event. Held in Manhattan, it's renowned for its exclusivity and the high-profile attendees from various fields like fashion, entertainment, and business. The event's themes inspire extravagant outfits, making it "fashion's biggest night." Organized by Vogue magazine, invitations are highly sought after. In 2024, the ticket price reached $75,000, reflecting the gala's stature in the global fashion and financial hub of New York City.
1948
The inaugural Met Gala, organized by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, took place in 1948. Tickets were $50.
1971
From its start in 1948 to 1971, the Met Gala was hosted at various places in Manhattan.
1972
Diana Vreeland's involvement as a consultant for the Costume Institute in 1972 marked a turning point, elevating the Gala's status and introducing themes.
1995
Since 1995, Anna Wintour has been the primary chair or co-chair of the Met Gala, solidifying its connection to Vogue magazine.
1996
Liz Tilberis, who succeeded Anna Wintour at British Vogue, chaired the 1996 Met Gala and attended with Princess Diana.
2009: Model as Muse
The 2009 Met Gala, "Model as Muse," faced a boycott from designer Azzedine Alaïa and models Naomi Campbell and Stephanie Seymour. Their protest stemmed from Alaïa's work being excluded from the Costume Institute exhibit, which he perceived as a snub orchestrated by Anna Wintour.
August 10, 2014
As an example, the 2014 exhibition following the Met Gala was scheduled to run from May 8th to August 10th, 2014.
2014
In 2014, the price of individual Met Gala tickets was raised by $10,000 to $30,000 for those not on the official guest list, aiming to increase the event's exclusivity.
2014: Charles James: Beyond Fashion
The 2014 Met Gala, themed "Charles James: Beyond Fashion," sparked controversy over the strict white tie dress code, deemed challenging and costly. The event was disrupted by a streaker and a fight between Solange Knowles and Jay-Z, captured on security footage.
2015
"China: Through the Looking Glass", the theme of the 2015 Met Gala, was the subject of the documentary "The First Monday in May."
2015: China: Through the Looking Glass
The 2015 Met Gala theme, initially "Chinese Whispers: Tales of the East in Art, Film and Fashion," was renamed to "China: Through the Looking Glass" but still drew criticism for perpetuating Asian stereotypes. Sarah Jessica Parker's headdress, in particular, was accused of conforming to the harmful Dragon Lady trope.
October 2017: Anna Wintour Bans Donald Trump
In October 2017, Anna Wintour announced on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" that former President Donald Trump was banned from the Met Gala, making him the first celebrity to be blacklisted despite attending from 2004 to 2012.
2017
A no-smoking policy in the Met Gala bathroom was implemented in 2017 after photos of Bella Hadid smoking there surfaced, emphasizing public health and safety.
2018
In 2018, Anna Wintour announced a potential age restriction for the Met Gala, barring guests under 18.
2018: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
The 2018 Met Gala, themed "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," saw Rihanna sparking controversy in a Maison Margiela ensemble. Her pearl-encrusted robe and papal mitre, though aligned with the Catholic theme, drew criticism from some as "blasphemous" despite the Church's involvement.
2019
The 2019 Met Gala was a significant financial success, pushing the total contributions for the Institute past $200 million for the first time.
2021: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion
At the 2021 Met Gala, "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion," Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sparked debate in an Aurora James gown. The dress, bearing the phrase "tax the rich," was seen as a bold statement against wealth inequality, though some found it hypocritical given the event's exclusivity and high ticket prices.
2021
BLACKPINK Rosé made her Met Gala debut in 2021, wearing a custom Little Black Dress, marking one of the first appearances by a Korean artist at the event.
2022
By 2022, the Met Gala achieved a record-breaking $17.4 million in funds raised.
2022: Gilded Glamour
The 2022 Met Gala, "Gilded Glamour," saw Kim Kardashian donning Marilyn Monroe's iconic "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" gown, on loan from Ripley's Believe It or Not. Controversy erupted over potential damage to the fragile garment and Kardashian's extreme diet to fit into the dress.
2024
In 2024, the ticket price for the Met Gala increased from $50,000 to $75,000.
2024: Blockout 2024
The 2024 Met Gala became the focus of the "Blockout 2024" online campaign, urging users to block attending celebrities on social media. The campaign arose from public outrage, likening the celebrities' presence at the lavish event to the dystopian world of "The Hunger Games" amidst global conflicts and the ongoing Rafah offensive.
