Met Gala: Behind the scenes at the most glamorous ball of the year

Met Gala is not just a ball, it's a fashion extravaganza where stars compete for the title of the most spectacular look. This year's event already took place on the 7th of May, and as always, it amazed the public with its scale, glamour and unconventionality.

History of the ball

The first Met Gala was held in 1948 on the initiative of publicist Eleanor Lambert. At that time it was a modest dinner with a raffle to raise funds for the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Over time, in the 1970s, thanks to Diana Vreeland, the Met Gala evolved into a true fashion festival. She introduced annual themes for the ball and a dress code for attendees, making it even more sophisticated and interesting.

The theme for the 2024 Met Gala

This year's Met Gala theme was ‘Sleeping Beauties: the awakening of fashion.’ This is a reference to J.G. Ballard's novel ‘The Gardens of Time.’ The drescod of the event was ‘The Garden of Time’, which allowed designers and stars to realise a variety of looks.

The most interesting looks

Met Gala 2024 gave us many unforgettable looks. Here are a few of them:

Zendaya: The Met Gala's headliner appeared on the red carpet in a rose-like Valentino gown. Her outfit was adorned with crystals and pearls, and a long train completed the look.

Lili Reinhart: The actress chose a Moschino dress that combined classic and punk elements. The corset dress with a puffy skirt was adorned with black feathers and Lili wore a crown-shaped headpiece on her head.

Kim Kardashian: The reality star appeared at the ball in a Balenciaga gown that completely covered her body. The black glittery material and tight fit emphasised Kim's figure.

Jared Leto: The actor wowed the audience with an image reminiscent of a character from the film ‘The Joker’. He wore a red velvet Gucci suit with a white shirt and bow tie, and his face was adorned with feather-inspired make-up.

Met Gala criticism

Like any public event, the Met Gala is not without criticism. Some people feel that the ball is too elitist and inaccessible to ordinary people. Others criticise the excessive luxury and glamour that surrounds the event.

Despite the criticism, the Met Gala remains one of the most important events in the fashion world. More than just a ball, it is a true celebration of creativity where designers and stars can showcase their talent and originality.

Here are a few facts about Met Gala that you might not know:

The guest list is personally compiled by Anna Wintour.

It is forbidden to take photos or post photos of the ball on social media.

The Met Gala is the sole source of funding for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. In the history of the ball, only two events have had to be cancelled: in 1963 due to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.