Once Again, It’s Attracted the World’s Eyes! What Kind of Event Is the MET GALA?
Hello everyone! Satake from GP here.
It was held again this year—the biggest celebration in the fashion world, the MET GALA! This event brings together some of the most famous international celebrities, all dressed in glamorous outfits, gathering on the red carpet. It’s truly a breathtaking spectacle.
Today, I’d like to introduce the globally famed MET GALA—starting with the question, “What is the MET GALA?” to highlights from last year’s edition!
What is the MET GALA?
The MET GALA is the opening event of the annual fashion exhibition held each May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Although it’s often thought of as a glamorous gathering of celebrities, the event is actually a charity with the purpose of supporting the fashion world and its culture, as it raises funds for the museum’s Costume Institute.
Since 1999, the event has been hosted by the famous VOGUE editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Participation is strictly invitation-only, and tickets are said to cost several millions to tens of millions of yen (thousands to tens of thousands of dollars). The prices are absolutely jaw-dropping!
Why it remains in the spotlight! Celebrities’ lavish fashion aligned with the theme
One of the defining features of the MET GALA is that each year has a designated theme, and guests dress in accordance with said theme.
Media outlets and people around the world pay close attention to how each celebrity interprets the theme, and what outfits they wear when stepping onto the red carpet.
Each year, participants push the boundaries with bold costumes and dramatic presentations—always exceeding expectations and leaving everyone in awe.
2022’s theme: “Gilded Glamour”
It’s said that celebrities spend months collaborating with fashion houses to create the outfits they wear for the MET GALA. Being invited to this event, which represents the pinnacle of the fashion world, is a symbol of status and influence, so it’s no surprise that so much effort goes into preparing for it!
Adding to the excitement, the guest list is kept secret until the day of the event, leading to widespread speculation and discussion about who will attend—long before the gala even begins.
(A little aside, but I personally check out the MET GALA every year and enjoy choosing my own MVP of the night!)
Last year’s dress code: “The Garden of Time”
Last year’s dress code, inspired by the short story of the same name—published in 1962 by J.G. Ballard, is tied to the exhibition theme: “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”
This theme offered endless interpretations—ranging from nature and technology to the concept of sleep. Here’s how some celebrities chose to embody it:
Tyla, the singer from South Africa, appeared in a Balmain dress dusted with sand across her entire body—designed to be worn for that day only.
Balmain’s creative director, Olivier Rousteing, was inspired by the fleeting nature of time, and created a fashion piece shaped like an hourglass by combining formless sand with the concept of time—perfectly capturing this year’s theme.
Gigi Hadid wore a dress inspired by ancient Italian gardens, adorned with a field of yellow roses.
The roses and other decorations on the gown were handcrafted by more than 70 artisans, requiring over 13,500 hours of work in total.
Conclusion
The MET GALA, where celebrities from around the globe gather each year in creative attire tailored to an ever-changing theme, is far more than just a dazzling spectacle. It’s a fusion of fashion, art, culture, and social affluence, solidifying its place at the very top of the fashion world. There’s no doubt that next year’s MET GALA will draw just as much attention!
Assistant Producer
