Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 Met Gala

2024 Met Gala

The Met Gala, an annual extravaganza held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City every first Monday of May, is a dynamic fusion of evolving spectacle and meticulously orchestrated affair. A procession of celebrities, aligning with the theme inspired by the Costume Institute’s latest exhibition, ascend the museum’s steps bedecked in haute couture (some more elaborately than others), disappearing within to revel in the galleries, dine, and mingle over drinks.

As the impending Monday night Gala approaches, anticipation mounts: Which iconic archival ensemble will Zendaya don? Who will execute the most audacious stunt, surpassing the likes of Jared Leto’s “twin” or Doja Cat’s feline prosthetics? And, inevitably, which boldface names will surreptitiously defy the no-photos policy for impromptu bathroom selfies? The perennial question looms: How fashionably late will Rihanna make her entrance?

Met Gala Theme: What’s the theme of this year’s event?

This year, the spotlight on the red carpet shines on “The Garden of Time,” drawing inspiration from a 1962 short story of the same title penned by British writer J.G. Ballard. Echoing the narrative of this New Wave science fiction tale, set within a garden of time-altering blooms, the Met’s exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” explores the intersection of nature and technology. Employing AI, CGI, and other cutting-edge tools, it revitalizes hundreds of delicate archival pieces spanning centuries. The selection of the theme annually falls under the purview of Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute’s curator-in-chief.

Anticipate an array of whimsical fashion on the red carpet, characterized by floral and sci-fi elements. Expect stylists collaborating with esteemed luxury brands to revive iconic vintage ensembles. The gala’s co-chairs—Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth, the latter marking his inaugural appearance at the Met Gala—will lead the star-studded procession.

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What unfolds during the Met Gala?

A flurry of celebrity arrivals and photo ops dominates the red carpet segment, lasting a couple of hours, which is the only part visible to the public. However, beyond the cameras, attendees explore the exhibition, soon open to all, and indulge in a seated dinner. The dinner etiquette discourages phone use, and the seating arrangement is meticulously orchestrated by Anna Wintour, the influential figure behind the gala since 1995. Notably, Wintour holds the final authority over the guest list, as detailed by the New York Times. While the red carpet and after-parties steal the spotlight, the gala primarily serves as a fundraiser. With tickets fetching five-figure sums, the event raises millions for the museum annually, achieving a staggering record of nearly $22 million in 2023, according to the book “Fashion’s Big Night Out.”

Alright, what’s the attire guideline? It’s about as perplexing as the exhibition itself. Attendees have been advised to interpret the theme “The Garden of Time,” inspired by J.G. Ballard’s 1962 short story. The narrative revolves around an aristocratic couple residing in a fortified estate with a mystical garden, while an advancing mob threatens their tranquility. In a desperate attempt to thwart the crowd, the husband endeavors to rewind time by plucking flowers until none remain. Ultimately, the mob breaches the estate, and the couple metamorphoses into stone.

Quite the Fashion Inspiration, isn’t it?

The challenge of embodying this parable in sartorial splendor has left many puzzled. However, for those seeking clarity, roses are the probable go-to motif. Expect to see corsets, flowing drapery, and, with anticipation, a revival of vintage elegance; given his recent resurgence, betting on a reappearance of vintage Galliano seems wise.

Who’s on Deck for the Live Stream?

Vogue will be broadcasting the gala behind the scenes for the fourth consecutive year. Although the hosts haven’t been unveiled yet, last year’s lineup featured La La Anthony, Derek Blasberg, Emma Chamberlain, and Chloe Fineman.

Who gets an invite? The guest list is shrouded in secrecy. Unlike other cultural fundraisers such as the Metropolitan Opera gala or the Frick Collection Young Fellows Ball, the Met Gala operates on an invitation-only basis. Entry isn’t solely determined by the hefty price tag — a jaw-dropping $75,000 per ticket this year ($25,000 more than last year), with table costs starting at $350,000. Selection criteria lean more towards buzz, accomplishments, and allure, echoing Anna Wintour’s preferences. Wintour holds absolute authority over each invitation and attendee.

This implies that substantial donations to the museum don’t guarantee an invitation, nor does purchasing a table entitle the buyer to dictate the attendees. All guests must be approved by Wintour and Vogue. This year, akin to 2023, approximately 400 individuals have received the coveted invitations, according to a Costume Institute spokesperson.

Confirmed attendees include Rihanna, with Ben Affleck likely to make an appearance, given the hosts, and the presence of Jennifer Lopez. Elsa Pataky, wife of Chris Hemsworth, is anticipated, along with faces from Loewe such as Greta Lee, Josh O’Connor, Taylor Russell, and Jamie Dornan. The Kardashian/Jenner clan may make an appearance, as seen in previous years, while speculations swirl around potential attendees like Caitlin Clark, Sam Altman, and celebrity power couple Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

Notably, last year saw a surprise guest in the form of a cockroach, adding a quintessentially New York twist to the event.

Who’s off the Met Gala Guest List?

Every year, speculations swirl about who might be unwelcome at the gala, whether due to an offense against the event or its organizer, Anna Wintour. However, Wintour has only publicly named one guest she would “never invite back” — Donald Trump, a declaration she made on James Corden’s late-night talk show in 2017 when prompted to identify names.

Other former attendees have sworn off the event, including Demi Lovato, Zayn Malik, and Tina Fey. In 2015, five years after Fey attended, she described the gala as a “jerk parade” on “Late Show with David Letterman.”

“If you had a million arms, all the people you would want to punch in the whole world — they’re all there,” she remarked. “I mean, I was there, clearly I was one of them.”

Some celebrities, however, retract their statements. Gwyneth Paltrow famously labeled the Met Gala as “un-fun” in 2013 and declared she’d “never” return, yet she did so in 2017 and 2019.

Where can I Tune In?

While devoted fans may stake out Fifth Avenue behind barricades, eagerly awaiting their favorite celebrities’ arrival from their Sprinters and Escalades, Vogue maintains strict control over the livestream (no “Live From E!” for the Met red carpet), making it clear that this isn’t an event for the masses. For a superior viewing experience, your small screen or computer is the way to go. We’ll be live-blogging the arrivals, so stay connected here for updates.