InkBlog

The Met Gala is the one event that those of us fond of fawning over red carpet fashion look forward to every year.

Historically taking place every first Monday of May (unless a global pandemic forces a September reschedule), the 2023 Met Gala is just two weeks away, taking place on Monday, May 1st.

Here's everything you need to know about fashion's most anticipated red carpet...

What is the Met Gala and when does it happen?

Although the night is more commonly referred to as either the Met Ball or the Met Gala, the event is formally known as the Costume Institute Gala.

The gala is a fundraiser dedicated to New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute – formally named The Anna Wintour Costume Center, in homage to the American Vogue's editor-in-chief, who has been a chair member of the museum's gala since 1995.

The benefit was founded in 1948 by publicist Eleanor Lambert to encourage donations from New York's high society.

Why does it have a theme?

The Met Gala also marks the opening night of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit. The theme of the exhibition sets the tone for the event and invitees must dress accordingly.

Occasionally the theme is broad - like last year which saw attendees dressing for “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” - but every few years it is dedicated to a single individual.

In 2017, for example, we saw celebrities incorporate bright colours and avant-garde designs as they walked the Met Gala 2017 red carpet which was themed 'Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons' – in homage to (you guessed it) Rei Kawakubo, the fashion designer of the avant-garde Japanese label, Comme des Garçons.

The showstopper look of the night was Rihanna wearing Comme des Garçons. Riri stole the night wearing one of her all-time most unforgettable looks.

What is this year's theme?

The 2023 Met Gala theme is “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty”. Honouring the late designer Karl Lagerfeld, known for his role as creative director of Chanel as well as his work at Chloé and his own eponymous label.

Lagerfeld has long been considered one of the most influential figures in fashion, so we certainly have high expectations for this year's red carpet.

What to expect?

Other than sumptuous outfits and loads of photographers trying to get an unforgettable shot, expect lots of bodyguards and fluffers. Yep, fluffers, aka people running around to make the dresses look picture-perfect. It takes a village, people.

This year, Michaela Coel and Dua Lipa are two of the co-chairs - so we're expecting some pretty major looks.

Who chairs the event?

Other than Anna Wintour, each year the event brings honorary chair members. The late Karl Lagerfeld and Gianni Versace were the first designers chosen to co-chair the night, in 1995.

Since then, among many designers and fashion insiders, the gala has also made room for celebrities (and even royalty) to participate: Caroline Princess of Hanover was a chair of the 2005 Met Gala, Beyoncé was a chair member in 2013, and last year saw Regina King, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Lin-Manuel Miranda co-chairing the event.

This year will see Michaela Coel, Penélope Cruz, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa, and Anna Wintour serving as the evening's co-chairs.

Can anyone get a ticket?

Without being an actress, model, musician, Vogue editor, A-lister's plus one, or wealthy enough to donate hundreds of thousands to the Met Museum and become a sponsor, it's not easy.

Tickets go for approximately £23,000, while tables cost £211,000 – and that's before you get your hands on a Met-worthy designer dress costing around $30,000. Anyone else think watching it from the comfort of your own sofa with a takeaway suddenly seems more appealing?

Oh, and you super-rich lot getting your cheque books out might want to hold off, because only those who have Anna Wintour’s official seal of approval will be able to attend.

So what do we fancy, pizza? We'll bring the wine.

For more from Glamour UK's Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLjApqauqp2WtKLGyKecZ5ufY8Kse8Crq6KbnJp8uLTArWSiq12ptaZ5zJ6rZp%2BRoa4%3D