From Rihanna serving boujee priest, to Jared Leto’s severed head and Kim Kardashian dressing head to toe (literally) in black, the Met Gala has given the world some truly iconic moments.
And now, as the first Monday in May approaches, we’re bracing ourselves for the most anticipated red carpet of the year.
Anyone who follows Anna Wintour’s annual celebrity bash will know that each year, the Met Gala, which takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, has a theme.
While each is more vague and confusing than the last, the A-listers attempt to do their best to look the part.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Met Gala theme – and who will be attending.
What is the Met Gala?
Since 1948, the Met Gala has been held every year (apart from one break in 2020 due to the pandemic). Known as the ‘fashion Oscars’, it’s actually a fundraising event, to raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York.
The event marks the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibition. Each year, the exhibition has a theme – hence the themed outfits we love to see on those now-famous stairs.
Vogue editor Anna Wintour is the lead chairperson of the event, and oversees the guest list – but just because you’ve been invited, it doesn’t mean it won’t cost you.
Tickets for the Met Gala this cost a reported $75,000 per person – that’s $25,000 up on 2023. Typically, designers or brands will buy tickets themselves, and invite celebrities who, in exchange for a ticket, will have to wear that brand’s clothes.
And even then, every guest has to be approved by Anna, of course.
When is the Met Gala?
The event takes place on the first Monday in May every year, which means the 2024 Met Gala will be on Monday, May 6.
The museum itself is closed on that day to allow everyone to get ready for the festivities.
In 2020 the event was cancelled due to Covid, before returning in 2021, albeit four months late, when it was held in September.
What is the Met Gala theme?
The theme this year is Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.
According to Vogue, Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute, said the exhibit will span 400 years of fashion history and focus on 50 historically significant pieces that are to delicate to be worn again. ‘These are the ‘Sleeping Beauties’ of the title,’ he said.
Pieces on display include an Elizabethan bodice and a satin silk ball gown. Many of the fragile exhibits will be shown along with the help of AI, CGI and light projection.
Designers featured will include: Phillip Lim, Stella McCartney, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Dior, among others.
This however, is not to be confused with the dress code, which is ‘Garden of Time’, inspired by the J.G. Ballard short story of the same name. A dystopian fiction, according to Vogue, the book (as well as the theme, and dress code) is about ‘fleeting beauty’.
Is this year’s theme controversial?
Last year, the Met Gala theme was Karl Lagerfield: A Line of Beauty, which paid homage to the late creative director of Chanel.
However, many disagreed that he should have been honoured in such a way, given various contentious comments made throughout his life.
From the #MeToo movement to the Syrian refugee crisis and all things female bodies – there were many that disputed the fact Lagerfeld is a figure to honour on such a global scale.
This year, while far less controversial, the theme did raise a few eyebrows among some.
Many will remember that in 2023, Kim Kardashian arrived at the event in a vintage gown that Marilyn Munroe wore to sing Happy Birthday to JFK in 1962.
Critics questioned why the reality star had been allowed to wear a piece of fashion history, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not, who lent Kim the dress, was widely criticised for allowing her to don the fragile gown.
After the event, images were circulated by various sources which seemed to show damage to it, including stretched fabric and missing crystals.
However, these claims were refuted by Ripley’s vice-president of publishing and licensing, Amanda Joiner: ‘From the bottom of the Met steps, where Kim got into the dress, to the top where it was returned, the dress was in the same condition it started in.’
Given that this year’s theme is all about preserving and displaying historical fashion garments, some question whether Anna Wintour is having a little dig at Kim.
Who is on the guest list?
Each year, the gala has co-chairs, who host the event along with Anna Wintour. The 2024 Met Gala hosts are Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth – meaning they’re all going to be in attendance. This means we may also see Tom Holland and Ben Affleck join their spouses.
Zendaya hasn’t been seen on the Met Gala red carpet since 2019, when she turned up looking incredible in a Cinderella-esque outfit, complete with a fairy godmother (her stylist) a wand, and a light-up gown.
Rihanna recently confirmed we’d be seeing her on the red carpet, telling Vogue she would be wearing ‘Fenty something’, but also stressing she’ll go for a more modest look than previous years: ‘I’ve had my nipples out, my panties out. But now… I guess as a mum and an evolved young lady… there are things I feel like I would never do.’
According to a Page Six report, Met Gala newcomers for 2024 include actress Lily Gladstone, Ayo Edebiri, famous for her role in The Bear, and Saltburn star Barry Keoghan.
Page Six also reported that Olivia Rodrigo, Uma Thurman and Sarah Paulson will be attending.
We can expect some regulars to show up too: Sarah Jessica Parker (she’s been 11 times), Kendall Jenner – and a selection of other Karadashians – and Cara Delevingne.
There are some A-listers however who have publicly denounced the Met Gala. Tina Fey described it as a ‘jerk parade’ in 2010 and in 2013, Gwyneth Paltrow told USA today: ‘I’m never going again. It was so un-fun,’ but was left eating her words when she did in fact accept an invite in 2019. Comedian Amy Schumer has said that going to the Met Gala was ‘punishment.’
Anna Wintour has also reportedly banned some celebrities, these include Jameela Jamil and Lena Dunham.
And it’s bad news for Swifties, as we won’t see Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce make their red carpet debut. Despite being invited, they have both declined.
What actually happens at the Met Gala?
In short, nobody really knows.
After the guests disappear up the steps, it’s a bit of a mystery. We know there’s a dinner, and that there’s an opportunity to wander around the exhibition. And, there’s high profile performances – Lenny Kravitz, Madonna and Blondie have all showcased their talents in the past.
But invitees have to abide by a strict no phones policy, so bar official BTS photographs released by Vogue photographers, we remain in the dark.
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