Introduction to the Met Gala
Every first Monday in May, the levels of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City are transformed into the most extravagant event in the fashion world. The Met Gala, officially known as the Costume Institute Benefit, is not just a parade of stunning outfits, but it also collects donations for the institute that has to finance the only curatorial department of the museum. The gala coincides with the opening of the annual fashion exhibition of the institute.
History of the Met Gala
What began in 1948 as a modest midnight evening for the New York Elite, "Fashion’s Big Night Out," has since developed into an excessive annual event with Anna Wintour from US Vogue since 1995. And MET GALA tickets that are invited to invite with Ms. Wintour-and a pretty penny. Time magazine recently reported that the stars have spent 75,000 US dollars (€ 66,000) for the past year. Far from the $ 50 per capita in 1948.
2025’s Theme: Dandyism Redefined
Every year, the MET GALA theme indicates the sound for both the exhibition and for the sartorial selection of its famous guests. This year, selected by Andrew Bolton, chief curator of the costume institute, is "superfine: tailoring the black style." Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book "Slaves to Mode: Black Dandyism and the Styling of the Black Diasporic Identity," the exhibition examines how tailoring has shaped black identities.
The Concept of Dandyism
Dandyism can appear lightly, but it often poses a challenge for or a transcendence of social and cultural hierarchies. It asks questions about identity, representation, and mobility with regard to breed, class, gender, sexuality, and power. The exhibition examines this concept both as a statement and as a provocation. This year is the second time that men’s fashion has been in the spotlight, since 2003 "Bravehearts: Men in Rocks."
The Host Committee
Another team co-chairman of the event with Anna Wintour every year: This time it includes actors and Oscar candidate Colman Domingo, Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton, Rapper A$AP Rocky, and singer and Louis Vuitton men’s creative director Pharrell Williams, while the host committee includes singer Janelle Monae and the celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Outstanding Sartorial Turns
Over the years, the guests of the Met Gala have promoted the fashion handling with the various topics that increased jaw-dropping fashion into an art form and created waves on social media. Below is only a selection of outstanding sartorial turns on the red carpet.
Rihanna: Pop Star
When the singer Rihanna arrived at the Met Gala 2018, she literally turned the topic "Heavenly Body: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" on her head. Her tailor-made Maison Margiela ensemble by John Galliano, which consisted of a richly decorated, highly decorated dress, which lasted 250 hours for sewing and 500 hours to handle, which she collapsed with a dazzling gem of Roman Catholic bishop.
Katy Perry: Chandelier and Cheeseburgers
In 2019, singer Katy Perry was designed as a life-size chandelier by Moschino’s Jeremy Scott with working light bulbs. She converted a cheeseburger costume for the after-party. Scott then said Vogue that he had the idea of creating something, "rich and strict, like a chic manor house for the old money," and added that the chandelier would be the perfect thing for Katy that nobody else would wear.
Jared Leto: His Own Plus-One
At the same gala from 2019, the actor Jared Leto undoubtedly won for the wildest accessory: a separate replica of his own head. Leto, dressed in a purple Gucci dress with a high collar, brought a side of surrealism to the runway.
Kim Kardashian: Drama Dripping
For the 2022 topic "In America: An Anthology of Fashion," Kim Kardashian delighted with the pop culture legend: she pulled the legendary Jean Louis dress from 1962 by Marilyn Monroe, while she was wearing "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" to John F. Kennedy. In order to fit in the skin-density of crystal clumpy clothes in three weeks, Kardashian lost about seven kilos in three weeks.
Doja Cat: The Purr-Purr-Spreter Transform-Moves
In 2023, the rapper Doja Cat chose the drama at the gala "Karl Lagerfeld: A Beauty Line" by showing up as an actual cat and the popular cat from Lagerfeld, Choupette, a homage to the beloved cat. Doja was sharpened in Oscar de la Renta and with prosthetics who sharpened their characteristics on cat-like perfection.
King Khan’s Debut?
As a rule, the MET GALA guest list is kept under closure until the day of the event. But Indian media like the English-language daily Hindustan Times and social media recently considered that the Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan could give its MET GALA debut in an ensemble of the renowned Indian couturier Sabyasachi Mukherjee. For the first time, the frenzy came from a contribution of widespread fashion and pop culture-based account Diet Sabya with the inscription: "National headlines. Threads in the collapse. Entertainment locations that are foamy in the mouth (India’s largest luxury brand)."
In view of his global fan base in Germany, King Khan, who walks on the red carpet, a typical internet break event with which the Met Gala has long been associated. And it would make him the first Indian male actor who takes part in the gala. At the moment, we can only wait and watch.
