Met Gala 2024

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit, known around the globe as the Met Gala, will take place May 6, 2024, in New York City.

The Spring 2024 exhibition, titled "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," will highlight the sensory experience behind clothes and their transitory nature. But the dress code of the 2024 Met Gala — typically related to the exhibit's theme — is "The Garden of Time." The dress code is a reference to the 1962 J.G. Ballard short story of the same name, which explores the finite aspects of nature and life.

The exhibit is funded largely by contributions from the Met Gala, where every year the biggest and wealthiest names gather to show off the best in fashion.

Vogue Magazine's Anna Wintour has co-chaired the event since 1995 and is joined this year by Zendaya, Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth and Jennifer Lopez.

2023 Met Gala theme: "A Tribute to Karl Lagerfeld's Timeless Influence"

The 2023 Met Gala paid homage to the legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld by showcasing his iconic style and profound impact on the fashion industry. Attendees donned creations from Lagerfeld's renowned fashion houses like Chanel, Fendi, Balmain, and Chloé. Some guests reimagined his signature black, white, and leather ensembles, reflecting his distinctive fashion sensibilities that evolved throughout his career. The event also featured numerous nods to Lagerfeld's cherished companion, Choupette the cat, highlighting the designer's multifaceted persona.

2022 Met Gala theme: "Exploring American Fashion Through the Ages"

The 2022 Met Gala presented "In America: An Anthology of Fashion," a grand showcase capturing the essence of American identity across two centuries of style evolution. The event exuded "Gilded Glamour," with attendees drawing inspiration from pivotal moments in U.S. history. One standout piece was Marilyn Monroe's iconic nude gown, famously worn during her performance for President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Kim Kardashian's recreation of the dress, following a collaboration with Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum, sparked controversy over the preservation of the historical garment. Despite speculations, Ripley's refuted any damage claims, ensuring the dress's integrity.

2021 Met Gala theme: "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion"

The first of two parts, "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" wove together identities of the everchanging U.S. through time, exploring the emotions behind the country's evolving culture. Instagram sponsored the event and brought to the carpet executives turned celebrities, including author, viral influencer and director of fashion partnerships at Instagram Evan Chen, and the social app's chief Adam Mosseri. After a pause for the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, social hesitance was still evident and masks were incorporated into some of the night's designs. Of note, Billie Eilish wore an Oscar De La Renta dress for a cause, calling for the historied house to end its ties to fur.

2019 Met Gala theme: "Camp: Notes on Fashion"

Guests brought their imagination to the pink carpet for the 2019 "Camp: Notes on Fashion" gala rendition. Gender-bending was evident and many looks turned heads, like Jared Leto's interpretation of Alessandro Michele's world of Gucci. Lady Gaga's iconic Brandon Maxwell looks told a story of style with each step the singer took outside of the Met. Framed around Susan Sontag's 1964 essay "Notes on 'Camp,'" the gala brought to life the whimsical and effervescent nature of fashion.

2018 Met Gala theme: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination"

The 2018 Met Gala theme drew inspiration from Catholicism. "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" explored religious iconography and the influence of medieval art in fashion. Guests brought to life looks that referenced papal garments and displayed biblical artifacts like crosses, angel wings and halos. The theme's ties to the history of Christ were not well received by some critics who thought fashion should stay out of the church.

Recreating News

Met Gala Themes Through the Years

2017 Met Gala theme: "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between"

The 2017 event paid tribute to Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo and her Comme des Garçons avant-garde designs that play with the body's shape and form. Duality, a motif for the exhibit, highlighted almost four decades of her work. Guests brought to the event pops of red from Kawakubo's palette, intricate embellishments and sheer fabrics. Caroline Kennedy and Rihanna embraced more fantastical designs, pairing shape-shifting silhouettes with florals, inducing more authenticity to a much-subdued theme interpretation.

2016 Met Gala theme: "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology"

The influence of technology in fashion turned the 2016 Met Gala into a spectacular display of metallics and cutting-edge designs. Many of the garments appeared too intricate and precise to be man-made, an ode to the artisans all over the world who piece together exquisite Haute Couture creations by pouring thousands of hours into each work. CBS News spent the day with supermodel and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss, who wore a sleek white Brandon Maxwell number that referenced classic men's tailoring paired with Alaïa-esque angular cuts.

2015 Met Gala theme "China: Through the Looking Glass"

While the 2015 Met exhibit scoped a wide history of artifacts and influence from Asian art, the gala came down to just one word: Rihanna. Dawning a sunny yellow cape that cascaded down the steps of the Met, the singer and fashion icon elevated the meaning of attending fashion's biggest night. The couture garment designed by China's Guo Pei took two years to make, Rihanna told Vanity Fair. The look quickly comes to mind around the world when the first Monday in May is discussed.

2014 Met Gala theme: "Charles James: Beyond Fashion"

The Costume Institute has been celebrating those behind fashion since its inception, and in 1973 it began hosting the gala within the museum itself, Vogue recounts. Fashion authority Diana Vreeland brought to life "The World of Balenciaga" after exiting Vogue as editor in chief, and her tribute to Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga left a blueprint for other designer-centered celebrations that followed.

In 2016, couturier Charles James' work went on display at the Met and guests embraced brilliant gowns with his grandiose touch. James' tailored and structural approach to the female form, mixed with modern fabrics, brought elegance and regalia to the occasion.

2013 Met Gala theme: "Punk: Chaos to Couture"

Anti-establishment influence inked its way into the Met's history in 2013. Started in the 1970's, the punk movement gave guests a reason to wear garments embellished with the spirit of teen disobedience and air of grungy D.I.Y personal style. Madonna honored the era with fishnets, metal studs and silver chains adorning a Givenchy mini plaid blazer by Riccardo Tisci. Rebellion was also apparent in the hairstyles exhibited, most notably by singer Miley Cyrus, a fashion fanatic, whose short, spiked look paired perfectly with her risque fishnet Marc Jacobs gown.

Exploring the Origins of the First Met Gala Theme

Back in 1948, the Costume Institute began hosting benefits, but it was Diana Vreeland who revolutionized these events by introducing themed galas during her time as a Met consultant. According to Vogue, Vreeland's "The World of Balenciaga" in 1973 set the stage for the Met Gala as we recognize it today. After departing from her role as editor in chief at Vogue, Vreeland's homage to Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga provided a template for future designer-focused celebrations.

Exploring the Evolution of Met Gala Themes

Throughout the history of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, the Met Gala has delved into various themes, showcasing the artistry of renowned designers and fashion houses, highlighting the influence of global cultures and movements, and celebrating iconic style figures. Let's take a journey through some of the memorable Met Gala themes over the years: