Story5 min
The Met Gala, Explained
Fashion’s biggest night: who runs it, how themes work, the rules, and the looks people still talk about.
What it is
The Met Gala is a fundraiser for the Costume Institute, the fashion department of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. It started in 1948 and became the celebrity event it is today under Anna Wintour, who has chaired it since 1995 and approves the guest list.
How it works
- It’s held on the first Monday in May.
- Each year has a theme tied to the museum’s spring fashion exhibition, plus a dress code guests are supposed to interpret.
- Tickets have reportedly cost around $75,000 each, and brands usually buy tables and dress their stars.
The rules
- No selfies or social posting inside, since 2015. People break this constantly.
- Reportedly no onion, garlic or chives in the food.
Looks people still bring up
- 2015, Rihanna: a huge yellow Guo Pei cape gown that the internet turned into omelette and pizza memes.
- 2019, Zendaya: a Cinderella gown that lit up on the steps.
- 2022, Kim Kardashian: Marilyn Monroe’s original "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress.
Recent years
- 2025: "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style", with co-chairs including Pharrell, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton. Rihanna used the night to reveal her third pregnancy.
- 2026: "Costume Art", with the dress code "Fashion Is Art" and co-chairs Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams, alongside Wintour.
Pop quiz
0/4 answered
Q1
The Met Gala raises money for…
Q2
Who has chaired the Met Gala since 1995?
Q3
What’s been banned inside since 2015?
Q4
Whose 2015 yellow cape gown became a meme?