Film and TV Award Season: An excuse for beautiful people to wear beautiful clothes, with a side of awards. Designers tirelessly work to craft pieces for Hollywood’s finest that accentuate their features and match their skin tones. When the last golden statue is given away and the credits roll, designers are allowed to rest. That is until the first Monday of May, when this fashion focal event occurs. The Met Gala is an annual fundraising event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Each year, significant artists, actors, celebrities, business giants, and athletes attend. This gala marks the opening of a new fashion exhibit and the money from seat and table sales go to the Museum. Tables have sold for upwards of half a million dollars.
Each year, a theme is announced. Previous themes include “Camp: Notes on Fashion” and “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” Pretentious sounding? Yes, but pay heed, this is NYC after all. Designers strive to create pieces or search archives attempting to style their muses per the theme. When the event began being televised, people watched hungrily, ready to critique and applaud their favorite celebs. These are not your everyday outfits, they probably don’t even compare to your dressiest, special-occasion garments. Imagine, an explosion of color and tulle paired with an even more flamboyant headpiece. Visualize a dramatically silhouetted dress with a train that seems to drag for miles. It’s a fashion show on steroids, riding a sugar-induced high until the camera’s final snap.
The gala is hosted by a woman infamous for her militancy and drive, Anna Wintour. Widely viewed as the inspiration for Meryl Streep’s frightening character in the 2006 film: “The Devil Wears Prada,” Anna has been the mastermind behind the event since 1995. She wields immense power, ultimately deciding who receives the coveted invitations. Despite Harvey Weinstein connections and her own hostile workplace claims, her elitist status remains through her work ethic and longevity in a transient field.
In 2021, TikTok Influencers graced the carpet and people were shocked. After all, this event is famous for its elitism and unattainability. Questions and criticism arose as to why Anna would approve of this TikTok inclusion. Tradition was restored the following year and the event was TikTok-free. But this relief was short-lived, when in 2023 the Met announced the following year's head sponsor: TikTok. It seems the glittering theatrics of this fabulous night can not distract from the inevitable truth: The world is changing, and social media is the driver. It’s safe to assume that this year's gala: “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” will flaunt new faces and outfits with pockets fit for a phone.
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