One of fashion’s biggest nights is coming up soon, and it’s time to get excited about what your favorite stars will be wearing on the carpet this year. The Met Costume Institute Gala, better known as the Met Gala or Met Ball, is also known to some as the ‘Oscars of fashion,’ as it brings in the biggest A-listers from all sides of the entertainment industry, all of whom come decked out in their best designs according to the set theme. The annual fundraising gala is always a hit, so what should you expect from this year?
First, though, some might be wondering what the Met Gala even is. Held annually, it is a fundraising gala benefiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York. It is hosted by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, with the assistance of other hosts of her choosing. The event also marks the opening of the Met’s annual spring exhibit. The ball tends to raise millions of dollars each year through the sale of tickets — which usually cost around $35,000 each, and tables costing anywhere from $200,000 – $300,000 — all of which goes to the Costume Institute at the Met.
When is the Met Gala?
Fashion enthusiasts might already be aware of the phrase, but the Met Gala is held annually on the first Monday in May (with the only exception being in 2021 when the ball was rescheduled due to COVID-19). Honoring the tradition, this year’s Met Gala will be on Monday, May 1. The spring exhibit will subsequently be open to the public from May 5 to July 16.
For most of us, actually attending the Met Gala is something we only dream of. But luckily for us, fans can stream the event and follow the carpet on Vogue’s livestream. Vogue.com will be livestreaming the carpet, and Vogue will also broadcast it live across its digital platforms. This year’s red carpet livestream also has its own hosts to bring viewers the exclusive first look at all their favorite celebrities. The livestream co-hosts include Emma Chamberlain, La La Anthony, Derek Blasberg and Chloe Fineman. The event begins at 6 p.m., and the livestream will go throughout the night.
What is this year’s theme?
The Met Gala 2023 theme honors a visionary in the fashion world: Karl Lagerfeld. Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute’s Wendy Yu Curator in Charge, will examine Lagerfeld’s time in the fashion world in an exhibition entitled “in honor of Karl.” The theme’s dedication to a particular fashion artist is similar to previous years, such as 2017’s tribute to Rei Kawakubo and 2011’s honoring of Alexander McQueen. Throughout his lifetime, Lagerfeld worked at infamous fashion houses such as Chanel, Fendi, Balmain and Chloé as well as establishing his own namesake brand.
The theme was revealed by Vogue last September with a special announcement by Pharrell Williams, one of Chanel’s most well-known brand ambassadors and collaborators. The spring exhibition, entitled ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’ will include over 150 pieces on display, many of which are accompanied by original sketches from Lagerfeld. The exhibition will pay tribute to his time as a leading fashion designer and creative director for several fashion houses, while the accompanying gala will likely bring together many of his closest friends, collaborators and inspirations, all wearing looks inspired by his most iconic designs.
Who are the Met Gala hosts?
Vogue announced this year’s Met Gala hosts on January 18. The 2023 Met Gala will be co-chaired by actress Penélope Cruz, singer Dua Lipa, actress Michaela Coel and tennis player Roger Federer. As always, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour will also act as a co-chair. They will essentially act as hosts for the night but they also have a few other responsibilities before the event itself. Before the gala itself, all the co-chairs help put together the guest list, work with chefs to create a high-class menu, select specific decor for the interior and work with interior designers to bring the theme to life within the Met.
Who is attending?
The official guest list for the Met Gala is top secret until the night before — and it will never actually be revealed in full! Although it’s hard to guess who will come, some famous names in the business usually attend, including Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Madonna or Beyoncé. The Kardashians and Bella and Gigi Hadid have also become sort of mainstays on the Met Gala carpet. The event usually sees around 600 attendees, so it’s a mystery who has made one of those coveted spots this year.
A recent issue of American Vogue also has many people guessing about who might be in attendance. The issue pays tribute to Karl Lagerfeld and the Met Gala, with a cover featuring 10 models he loved working with the most. These include Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Naomi Campbell and Devon Aoki (just to name a few), so it’s likely we’ll see these models in their best Lagerfeld-inspired designs.
What looks can we expect?
Every year people interpret the theme in their own ways: some designers choose to take it very literally, while others like to put their own spin on it. As this year’s theme is dedicated to a specific designer, we will likely see a lot of personal tributes to a designer that many saw as a dear friend and colleague. We expect many stars to pay tribute to Lagerfeld by wearing one of his creations and choosing a vintage piece from one of the many houses he worked for. Many designers might also go the other route and recreate one of his classic designs, paying tribute to Lagerfeld in another classic way. We expect some re-interpretations of some of his most memorable designs and even some references to some of his more controversial moments.
Whoever shows up and whatever they’re wearing, the night will be a big hit. It’s the Met Gala! What stars and designers are you excited to see on that first Monday in May? Tweet us @VALLEYMag with your predictions for the carpet!
