“Fashion can tell you everything that’s going on in the world with a strong fashion image.” -Anna Wintour.
Started as a fundraiser, today the Met Gala is the most anticipated fashion event. The first Monday of May has a lot of importance in the fashion calendar. Now, the event hosts a lot of celebrities showcasing various designer dresses. Though today known as a fashion night, the Met Gala has a different history. Formerly known as the Costume Institute Gala started in 1948. Introduced by Fashion Publicist, Eleanor Lambert. The gala used to be an intimate gathering to fund the Costume Institute at the Metropolis Museum of Art. The entry ticket of the Met Gala then cost $50, for instance roughly $570 in today’s time. So, the gala is one of the biggest fashion affairs. Attended by many celebrities, gracing the red carpet in gorgeous dresses by celebrated designers. In addition, the invitation is sent by the current Chairwoman. Also, Anna Wintour decides who will attend the event to raise money for the Costume Institute.
The Beginning
The story of the Met Gala began with theater producer Irene Lewisohn and stage designer Aline Bernstein. They collected costumes and showcased them for the theater designers to gain inspiration. In 1948, Fashion Publicist Eleanor Lambert started a charity event to benefit the costume institute. It is the only branch of Metropolis Museum of Art that is self-funded to date. So, the first event was a midnight supper in December. Consisting of the selected Manhattan elite in Waldorf Astoria. Then, the small simple event blended perfectly in the philanthropic calendar. The brainchild of Eleanor Lambert has today reached a height in the fashion world.
Take over by Diana Vreeland
For years further, the gala remained a simple event. Until, 24 years later when Diana Vreeland, former editor of Vogue took over the position of consultant of Costume Institute. Under her wings, the simple midnight party took the turn of a most awaited party of the year. With the thick white invites, Vreeland made the gala an important occurrence in the New York elite calendar. She decided to extend the invitation list to Hollywood by inviting Andy Warhol, Diana Ross, and Cher. She introduced the well-known themed dress code of the gala. The Met’s basement became the gala’s venue. The guests attend the event in glamorous dresses. Met Gala covered the venue with perfume and the guests made their way in the darkness, giving it an elaborate effect. Non-Hollywood elites were able to get tickets worth $100. So, fashion industry people and students could attend. Post the death of Diana Vreeland in 1989, Met Gala did not have a chairwoman. The perception of the gala changed in the early nineties. The arrival of Princess Diana at Met Gala 1996 in John Galliano for Dior navy gown.
The Reign of Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour took over the chairmanship of the Met Gala in 1999. Soon she made two major changes in the event. The first change was bringing the night to May from December. The second being, opening Vogue’s connections in the industry. The invitation list now included important personalities from the fashion industry, entertainment, politics, arts, and media. Giving the gala it’s now a form of extravagant party. The invitees were personally invited by Wintour while others were invitations from fashion brands. Vogue staff selects the attendees. The people can even get the ticket for $35,000. So, it was tough to keep the most extravagant evening exclusive. Therefore, Wintour applied a social media ban in 2015.
Met Gala 2021
Usually held on the first Monday of May, last year the Met Gala was not held due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As usual, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York became the venue of the Met Gala. In America: A Lexicon of Fashion was the theme of this year’s exhibit. So this year, the event was Co-chaired by Billie Eilish, Timothe Chalamet, Naomi Osaka, and Amanda Gorman. So many Hollywood elites graced the red carpet. Rihanna made a stunning appearance like usual.
Looking forward to Met Gala 2022
Another Met Gala is coming sooner than we expect. This Met Gala is held in two parts. Part one is the Met Gala 2021 that opened on 13th September. The theme of this part was In America: A Lexicon of Fashion. The second part will be held on 2nd May 2022. The pandemic caused the cancellation and delay of the gala. So, we will receive two Met Gala’s within a year. With the excitement hyped up, this year’s gala brought some amazing costumes. To check more about killer looks at Met Gala 2021 and other updates about the same check World Model Hunt. We upload content regarding the fashion industry and modeling. So, check out the site for more information on modeling.
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