Met Gala's transformation from 'Party of the Year' to 'Super Bowl of social fashion events'

The Met Gala, dubbed the ‘Super Bowl of social fashion events’, has been transformed by Anna Wintour into one of the most eagerly awaited fashion spectacles of the year. As the first Monday in May approaches, the anticipation for the stunning outfits is palpable.

Many iconic fashion moments have originated from this event – from Rihanna’s breathtaking yellow Guo Pei embroidered gown to Zendaya’s on-theme Joan of Arc chainmail dress.

This year’s Met Gala theme is “The Garden of Time”, marking the opening of the spring institute’s exhibition, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion. This year’s co-chairs, alongside the ever-present Anna Wintour (who has become synonymous with the Gala), include Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Lopez, and Zendaya.

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Anna Wintour with Bill Nighy at the Met Gala, dressed up for the occasion

While the Met Gala serves as a fun fashion runway, its primary purpose is to raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The inaugural Met Gala was held in 1948, initiated by renowned fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert who aimed to fundraise for the Costume Institute and create “one big get-together each year” for the fashion industry.

Eleanor dubbed the event “The Party of the Year”, which began as a midnight supper in the autumn with tickets costing $50. Now, according to Page Six last year, a single ticket costs a whopping $50,000, reports the Mirror US.

The Costume Institute, previously known as the Museum of Costume Art, was founded by Irene Lewisohn, the pioneer founder of Neighborhood Playhouse, and theatrical designer Aline Bernstein. In 1946, it merged with The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The transformation into a star-studded event with legendary themes occurred when iconic fashion columnist and editor Diana Vreeland joined the Costume Institute as a special consultant. She also changed the venue officially to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, along with incorporating themes.

Anna Wintour took the reins in 1995 and has since made her mark on the historic event. In 1995, the Vogue editor-in-chief co-chaired the event with Annette de la Renta and Clarissa Bronfman, presenting the exhibition “Haute Couture”.

Since taking over, Wintour moved the date from December to the first Monday in May. The Met Gala’s star power and size have also grown under her leadership, as acknowledged by curator Harold Koda in a 2016 Vogue documentary about the event.

“What Anna has done is understood that high fashion….when it’s paired with celebrity becomes something bigger than both. And that is what happens on the red carpet. When you see Rihanna in a couture gown, it’s transcending,” Harold stated.

Vogue released a documentary in 2016 that captured the year-long preparations for the 2015 Met Gala and the art exhibition China: Through the Looking Glass. The documentary, titled The First Monday in May, highlighted the work and role of Anna Wintour as the gala’s chairwoman.

Fashion journalist and creative director Andre Leon Talley described how Anna transformed the gala into a “Super Bowl” of social fashion events.

“Since Anna Wintour has taken over the Met Ball, it has become the Super Bowl of social fashion events. It starts with months of preparation, not just for the exhibit, but for the actual Met Gala,” Talley shared.

He elaborated on Anna’s meticulous screening of every detail for the gala, “from the napkins, to the forks to the lighting, the detail of the flowers, the detail of the ushers, the way they’re dressed.”

One of the crucial aspects Anna vets in advance is the seating chart. The film documented Anna and Vogue’s director of special projects, Sylvana Ward Durrett, meticulously deciding the table placements.

“A lot of thought goes into who sits next to who, if they sat next to each other last year, if they sat next to each other at other events. So much goes into it, it’s shocking,” explained Sylvana. The influence of the 74 year old British editor has been significant, with The Met Gala’s redesigned Costume Institute space being renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Center in May 2014.

Last year’s Met Gala raised a whopping $22 million. Everyone is eagerly anticipating what this year’s Met Gala will bring.

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