From black-tie fundraiser to fashion extravaganza: Dive into the history of the Met Ball
The Met Ball takes place every year on the first Monday in May to fundraise for the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For anyone remotely interested in fashion, this night is one of the biggest nights of the year, when celebrities descend onto the red carpet with outfits made to celebrate the theme of the ball. For me, it is always a very special night because it’s an occasion for designers to unleash their creativity to the fullest and turn outfits into pieces of art. Stylists and celebrities work together to create outfits that leave me inspired and hopeful to join the industry of fashion.
The Met Ball today has come to be known as the exclusive party of the year, where getting an invite itself is a challenge. However, the history of this iconic ball is much more interesting than just that.
The Met Gala started in 1948 in an effort to fundraise for the Costume Institute, and this genius idea came from “PR legend, Eleanor Lambert. The first event was a midnight supper, which was called The Party of the Year, where invited guests could buy a ticket for $50 each, around $900 in today’s money” (Newsweek). Soon, everyone wanted an invite. There is a board of chairs who decides on the theme, guests and the other intricacies of the ball. The co-chair position has been held by some of the most notable public figures, from Jackie Kennedy to Lady Gaga.
Even though today we think of the event as synonymous with an over-the-top theme, this did not start until the 1970s. Diana Vreeland, the then Vogue editor-in-chief, started the theme balls with “The World of Balenciaga” in 1973, which matched the exhibition taking place. Prior to that, the balls were black-tie events. With Vreeland’s death, Anna Wintour eventually took over the hosting duties and made it the event it is today. Themes have included: “China: Through the Looking Glass” (2015), “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” (2018), “Costumes of Royal India” (1985), “Cubism and Fashion” (1998), “The Glory of Russian Costume” (1976), etc.
Wintour decides on who attends and which designers they work with. She usually picks public figures who are having successful years, pushing the boundaries or known to have interesting fashion looks. You cannot really get in the party without Anna’s approval and each ticket ends up costing around $30,000 (Associated Press) so you have to be partnered with a brand that is willing to pay for your ticket and look. The expensive tickets and the popularity of the event have led to the costume institute raising an immense amount of funds for the museum. “Last year, the event raised a total of $13 million. It’s estimated that Wintour has raised up to $200 million for the Institute” (Fox Business).
Many argue that the Met Ball’s exclusivity signals elitism. However, the high price tag has allowed for the costume institute to put on incredible exhibitions and for creatives to actually have fun and challenge the idea of what fashion can be.
