Met Gala: Wild fashion and extravagant appearances
Every first Monday in May, the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York are transformed into the most extravagant catwalk in the fashion world. Observers often rub their eyes in amazement at what is presented there.
Officially called the "Costume Institute Benefit," the Met Gala is not just a parade of stunning outfits, but also a charity event. The collected donations go to the museum's self-funding fashion department. The gala coincides with the opening of the institute's annual fashion exhibition.
What began in 1948 as a humble midnight dinner for New York's elite has, since 1995, evolved under the leadership of Anna Wintour , the legendary editor-in-chief of American Vogue, into a highly anticipated annual event—fashion's "biggest night in the world." And tickets to the Met Gala—which are available by invitation only and approved by Ms. Wintour—cost a fortune.
Time magazine recently reported that stars paid $75,000 (€66,000) per person last year: a big difference from the $50 per person in 1948.
Dandyism redefinedEvery year, the Met Gala's theme sets the tone for both the exhibition and the celebrity guests' sartorial choices. This year's theme, chosen by Andrew Bolton, chief curator of the Costume Institute, is "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." It addresses the clothing of Black men, but also the history of racism, past and present.
Inspired by Monica L. Miller's 2009 book "Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity," the exhibition explores how fashion has shaped Black identities.
Miller, a professor of African American Studies at Barnard College, was also guest curator of the exhibition. "Dandyism can seem frivolous and superficial, but it often represents a challenge or overcoming of social and cultural hierarchies," Miller said in a press release. "It raises questions of identity, representation, and mobility in relation to race, class, gender, sexuality, and power. The exhibition explores this concept as both a statement and a provocation." This year's gala also marks only the second time, following "Bravehearts: Men in Skirts" in 2003, that men's fashion has been in the spotlight.
Each year, a newly formed team led by chairwoman Anna Wintour organizes the spectacular event. This year's line-up includes Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams—singer and creative director of the men's line of French fashion house Louis Vuitton. Women are also represented on this year's hosting team, including singer Janelle Monae and Nigerian writer and activist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie .
Over the years, numerous Met Gala guests have pushed the boundaries of fashion, elevated stunning fashion to an art form, and made waves on social media. Here's a look back at some outstanding and unusual red carpet appearances:
Rihanna: a pop star who rivals the PopeWhen singer Rihanna arrived at the 2018 Met Gala, she literally turned the theme "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" on its head. Her custom-made Maison Margiela ensemble by John Galliano featured an intricately embellished gown that required 250 hours of sewing and 500 hours of top-quality embroidery to create. She topped the outfit with a sparkling jeweled miter—a liturgical head covering worn by Roman Catholic bishops.
At the 2019 "Camp: Notes on Fashion" gala, Katy Perry stole the show. First, the singer arrived dressed as a life-size chandelier with working lightbulbs, designed by Jeremy Scott of Moschino. Then, for the after-party, she donned a cheeseburger costume. Scott told Vogue at the time that he had the idea to create something "rich and austere, like a fancy old mansion," adding that the chandelier would be "the perfect thing for Katy that no one else would wear."
At the same gala in 2019, actor Jared Leto won the award for the most unusual accessory: a severed replica of his own head (article image). Dressed in a high-necked, ruby-red Gucci dress encrusted with jewels, Leto brought a touch of surrealism to the runway.
Kim Kardashian and the (probably) most famous dress in the worldFor the 2022 theme, "In America: An Anthology of Fashion," Kim Kardashian chose a pop culture legend: She donned the iconic 1962 Jean-Louis gown that Marilyn Monroe wore when she sang "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" to John F. Kennedy. To fit into the skin-tight, crystal-encrusted gown, Kardashian lost about seven kilos in three weeks. A truly dramatic transformation. Not only did Kardashian turn heads, but she also sparked a discussion about fashion, body image, and the preservation of historical garments.
The rapper Amalaratna Zandile Dlamini, better known by her stage name Doja Cat, caused a stir in 2023: At the gala under the motto "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" (with the exhibition of the same name the museum honored the fashion tsar, who died in 2019 ), she transformed herself into an (almost) real cat.
And not just any cat: Her figure-hugging cat costume was a tribute to Lagerfeld's beloved cat Choupette. Oscar de la Renta created this spectacular costume. The artist also transformed herself into a cat inside—mimicking the graceful pet's movements and answering every question with a gracious "meow."
The Met Gala guest list is usually kept secret until the day of the event.
In Indian media such as the Hindustan Times However, there has recently been speculation on social media that Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan might make his Met Gala debut this year in an ensemble by renowned Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
The excitement initially stemmed from a post by the widely followed fashion and pop culture account Diet Sabya, which read (loosely translated): "Headline of national importance! (....) We have received confirmation that SRK - India's undisputed superstar - will be wearing Sabyasachi (India's largest luxury brand) at his Met Gala debut in May 2025."
Given his worldwide fan base—including in Germany—King Khan's walk down the red carpet would be an internet mega-event, the kind the Met Gala is known for. And Shah Rukh Khan would be the first Indian male actor to attend the gala.
Adapted from English: Anastassia Boutsko
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