If you follow social events, you probably know about the Costume Institute charity ball, which is held at the Metropolitan Museum of New York on the first Monday of May every year. Overall, the Met Gala has long been a popular cultural phenomenon and is considered the most grandiose social event where modesty is officially forbidden.
Met Gala is one of the events that celebrities avoid without any effort and money. Throughout its 74-year history, Bianca Jagger, Jacqueline Kennedy, Madonna and even former US President Donald Trump have attended the charity night. And not only sophisticated fashionistas follow the red carpet, but the whole world. By the way, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour always personally approves the guest list.
But it’s not even the most interesting. And the fact that the organizers come up with a theme every year where you have to choose the perfect image for the ball. For example, in 1995 the theme of the ball was “High Fashion”, in 1998 – “Cubism and Fashion”, in 2001 – “The White House during the stay of Jacqueline Kennedy”, in 2008 – “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy” was. and this year’s Met Gala is dedicated to fashion industry genius Karl Lagerfeld. While we wait for the event to start, we invite you to remember the most memorable Meta Gala themes of the past years.
1973
Lesson: Balenciaga World
First, it’s worth noting that the Met Gala’s status as an honorary fashion event is thanks to former Vogue editor-in-chief Diana Vreeland, who joined the Costume Institute as a consultant in 1971. He was the one who changed the concept of the event, moved it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and made the event themed. Thus, the first ball, led by Diana, was dedicated to the legendary designer Cristobal Balenciaga, who died a year before the event.
1974
Lesson: Romantic and glamorous Hollywood fashion
The second exhibition opened in 1974 and its theme was “Hollywood’s Romantic and Brilliant Fashion”. The most shocking and striking look that year belonged to Cher, who came in an all-sheer Bob Mackie dress with embroidery and white feathers. In the meantime, we have prepared a separate article about the seven most scandalous dresses of the prom.
1976
Lesson: The splendor of the Russian costume
The Met Gala’s theme was not chosen by chance – in 1976, Yves Saint Laurent showed the world his “Russian Collection”, which brought a-la russe back into fashion. Among the honored guests of the event were Jacqueline Kennedy, Bianca Jagger, Diana Vreeland and, of course, Yves Saint Laurent. By the way, in two years the ball will be dedicated to the exhibition “Diaghilev: Costumes and Stage for Ballet”.
1983
Lesson: Yves Saint Laurent: 25 years in design
The Met Gala is once again dedicated to the designer. In 1983, the exhibition was dedicated to Yves Saint Laurent’s 25th anniversary in the world of fashion. This event was one of the last in Diana Vreeland’s career, but it was also almost the most memorable. Largely due to the large number of guests in the luxurious images of Yves Saint Laurent.
1995
Lesson: high fashion
In 1995, the only Anna Wintour came to power, the fashion world was shaken, and the Met Gala Costume Institute ball became the industry’s most honorable event. In 1995 the exhibition was dedicated to “High Fashion” and top-notch stars appeared on the runway: from Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell to Gianni Versace and Sarah Jessica Parker.
1996
Lesson: Christian Dior
Christian Dior is the third designer to hold a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Of course, there were no less honored guests than in 1995, but this time Diana Spencer was the star of the night. That evening, the princess appeared on the red carpet in a navy blue-lined dress (designed by John Galliano), complementing it with a pearl choker and a miniature Lady Dior handbag.
1997
Lesson: Gianni Versace
After the tragic death of Gianni Versace in 1997, the organizers of the Met Gala honored the memory of the legendary designer and opened an exhibition in his honor. Colleagues, famous models and actresses showed up at the charity event, which is traditionally held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But no one mourned. Rather, guests took to the runway in bright, sparkly Versace outfits.
1998
Lesson: cubism and fashion
In 1998 the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted an exhibition on the interaction of cubism and fashion. Created by Costume Institute curator Richard Martin. And the main goal was to show how cubism influenced the work of many famous designers of the century. But no one understood the dress code, so no pictures with geometric prints went unnoticed. But bright suits and tight sexy dresses were enough.
1999
Lesson: rock style
The Rock Style theme at the Met Gala is a true triumph for grunge. That year, not everyone came to the charity event dressed in fancy dresses. For example, young Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney shocked everyone in pairs with identical Rock royalty tees.
2003
Lesson: Goddess: classic look
In 2003, Met Gala guests were invited to fantasize about what a goddess might look like in the modern world. As a result, various interpretations of the classic image appeared on the runway. But our favorite is the Anna Wintour outfit, which consists of a satin skirt and a furry jacket.
2004
Lesson: Dangerous Relationships: Fashion and Decor in the 18th Century
You can see everything at the Met Gala. Even Amber Valletta in a tight bodice and a wig with curls like it was in the 18th century. However, it is worth respecting the fact that the model adheres to the dress code as accurately as possible.
2005
Lesson: chanel fashion house
2005 was a turning point in Met Gala history. It was then decided that the event would be held on the first Monday of May, so the theme of that year’s ball was chosen loudly. The Costume Institute dedicated the night to the legacy of the Chanel fashion house. All the designers were in focus: from the legendary Coco Chanel to Karl Lagerfeld. And of course all the guests chose the images of the French brand for the red carpet.
2006
Lesson: Anglomania: tradition and violation in British fashion
In the early 90s and zero, British designers quickly took the lead. The ugly John Galliano headed to the house of Christian Dior and the mysterious Alexander McQueen – Givenchy. The organizers of the Met Gala could not leave the general passion for Anglomania unattended. Therefore, the exhibition in 2006 was devoted to this topic. Meanwhile, the aforementioned designers showed up on the red carpet. Galliano with Charlize Theron and McQueen with Sarah Jessica Parker.
2009
Lesson: Model as muse: embodying fashion
Models are the face and body of the fashion industry. Models are the muse of designers and the idol of millions of girls. Therefore, it would be a crime not to reserve a separate exhibition for them. All models with the prefix “super” shone on the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2009. Gisele Bündchen, Miranda Kerr, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss posed for photographers. The latter, by the way, appeared at a charity event at Marc Jacobs’ company.
2011
Lesson: Alexander McQueen: wild beauty
The 2011 exhibition is a tribute to the great designer Alexander McQueen, who passed away in February 2010. After the tragedy, the curators of the Met Gala prepared an exhibition codenamed “Wild Beauty” and presented it to the museum a year later. Looking to the future, let’s say that the exhibition broke all records: 660,000 people watched in just three months.
2015
Lesson: China: through the mirror
In 2015, the exhibition and the event itself focused on China and its impact on Western culture. It is worth noting that this time almost everyone guessed the dress code. For example, Sarah Jessica Parker completed the image with a flaming cap by Philip Tracy, while the image for Rihanna was created by Chinese designer Guo Pei. They say that the creation of a luxurious yellow dress took more than two years.
2016
Lesson: Manus x Machina: fashion in the age of technology
However, everyone invited to the event in 2016 had to show the link between fashion and technology with their images. Someone (we’re implying Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid) took the topic literally and tried to repeat images of robots from cult movies. But there were those who went much deeper and chose outfits that looked ordinary for the red carpet, but were only visible at first glance. Here’s an example: Emma Watson hit the runway in a corset dress and a train made from recycled plastic bottles.
2018
Lesson: Celestial Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
The exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2018 is an incredible dialogue between fashion and religious practices and the traditions of Catholicism. And the red carpet of the Met Gala is a parade of incredibly beautiful divine costumes that do not leave anyone indifferent. By the way, this time Rihanna succeeded. As an image, the Barbadian singer chose a Maison Margiela robe embroidered with Pope-like jewels and a tiara.
2019
Lesson: Camping: fashion notes
The theme of the 2019 Met Gala was Camp: Fashion Notes. According to the Oxford Dictionary, this is the aesthetic of excess and drama. And apparently the stars liked the crazy dress code. Take, for example, Katy Perry as the chandelier, Ezra Miller with six eyes, or Cardi B in a red matter costume. By the way, this ball is still considered one of the brightest and most memorable in history.
2022
Lesson: gilded charm
In 2022, things did not go as planned. Let’s start with the fact that almost all guests misunderstand the dress code. “Gilded Glamour” is a kind of allusion to the era of rapid economic growth in America from 1870 to 1900. The fashion of the Gilded Age was extremism. All kinds of fabrics, catchy decor, curtains, ribbons, bows and fringes were in trend. And fashionistas of those times approached the choice of clothes on the principle of “the more the better”. However, almost half of the guests only bet on gold.
But it’s worth adding that the Met Gala 2022 made history thanks to Kim Kardashian, who purposely lost 8 pounds to wear (and of course rip) her legendary Marilyn Monroe dress.
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Source: People Talk
Errol Villanueva is an author and lifestyle journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for exploring the latest trends in fashion, food, travel, and wellness, Errol’s articles are a must-read for anyone interested in living a stylish and fulfilling life.
