Emma Greenhut, NC Globe Reporter
Featured image credit: artuk.org/Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
It’s that time of year again! Every May, feathers, sequins and sculptural silhouettes grace the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From Rihanna’s omelet dress to Kim Kardashian’s controversial historical Marilyn Monroe dress, for the fabled Met Gala celebrities show up and show out with extravagant outfits that represent avant-garde fashions of the future. One of the most iconic events of the year, the Met Gala’s combination of celebrity culture, art and extravagant fashion into a single event has made it a very important night for the fashion community. It garners worldwide attention, and every year, millions of people find excitement in watching the red carpet arrivals online in order to see which celebrities, designers, athletes and musicians had the best interpretations of the annual theme.
The Met Gala was originally founded in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and was originally called the Costume Institute Benefit. Traditionally it is hosted on the first Monday in May. The Met Gala was not always as famous as it is today though. When it was founded it was a much smaller event and also less glamorous. Instead of red carpet entrances featuring sensationalistic costumes, guests attended a formal dinner and the event was mainly relegated to fashion circles.
Over time, however, the gala evolved into one of the most exclusive invitations in entertainment and fashion. This transformation was accelerated under the leadership of Anna Wintour, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue. Wintour oversaw the event for decades and helped turn it into an internationally recognized night. Wintour did this mainly through carefully curating the guest list to ensure that the gala remained exclusive and featuring guests who were culturally relevant.
What began as a fundraising dinner for a museum has transformed into a global cultural phenomenon that influences fashion trends, internet discussions and celebrity branding.
The most important aspect of the Met Gala is undoubtedly its annual theme. Each year, the Costume Institute chooses a theme connected to a museum exhibition, and attendees are expected to dress according to that concept. The theme for the 2026 Met Gala was “Fashion is Art”, which combined fashion and artistic expression with the goal of inspiring celebrities to wear sculptural, dramatic, and artistic outfits.
In 2018, the theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” pushed guests toward intricate religious symbols and dramatic gowns. A few of those outfits are now among the most famous in the event’s history.
2019’s Met Gala shifted gears with “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” focusing on over-the-top style and theatrical self expression. For that, the carpet was full of massive pink dresses, suits covered in crystals, and looks that felt more like performance art than just clothing. These specific nights helped secure the gala’s reputation as an irreplaceable cultural event.
Despite its popularity, the Met Gala is also heavily criticized for its exclusivity and high ticket prices. For example, single tickets can cost tens of thousands of dollars and entire tables can cost even more. Critics also say the event is an example of over-the-top displays of wealth at a time when many people are struggling financially. Controversy about whether the gala’s celebration of luxury and celebrity culture has gone too far is commonly found on social media, with a lot of commenters criticizing those who attend.
Although it draws criticism, the Met Gala still has brings enormous benefits for the Costume Institute, including millions of dollars in donations which help fund exhibitions, preservation efforts and educational programs. Additionally, the Met Gala also helps aspiring designers to gain publicity, and sometimes the event is the starting ground for designs that later become fashion trends.
To this day, the Met Gala remains fascinating because it reflects both the creativity as well as some of the contradictions of modern celebrity culture. The event can sometimes come off as out of touch, but it also serves as a place where art and fashion are celebrated. The excitement surrounding the event continues to grow each year as audiences wait to see who will take risks and who will completely miss the theme. As fashion and technology continue evolving, the future of the Met Gala will likely become even more experimental and globally influential.
