The Met Gala: A Night of Fashion and Philanthropy

Mark your calendars for May 6, 2024, as the Metropolitan Museum of Art prepares to host its renowned Met Gala. This exclusive event aims to raise funds for The Costume Institute while also marking the debut of the newest costume exhibition titled "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion." Attendees are expected to adhere to the dress code, "The Garden of Time," adding an extra layer of glamour to the evening.

In 2014, The Costume Institute underwent a transformation and was renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Center in honor of the influential Vogue editor-in-chief. Anna Wintour, a dedicated trustee of the Met, has played a pivotal role in elevating the gala to its current status as one of the most prominent charity events globally.

"It was a society event. People weren't very excited about going to it," Wintour shared in a conversation with "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King in 2023. "To take it over and try to make a night out of it was quite intimidating."

Unveiling the Met Gala

The Met Gala transcends being just a fundraiser; it serves as a convergence of luminaries from various industries. Every first Monday in May, the event draws guests to New York City, showcasing their collaborations with renowned designers and brands through meticulously crafted ensembles that have been in the making for months.

"The Met Gala, a fundraising event at its core, has always been dedicated to supporting important work," Wintour expressed.

Each year, guests adhere to a specific theme, drawing inspiration from historic attire, integrating innovative concepts, and bringing to life elaborate ideas that extend far beyond the confines of the Met.

"We strive to capture the essence of the cultural zeitgeist and reflect the current global landscape through our selection of attendees," Wintour remarked regarding the gala invitees.

"With each edition being unique, we meticulously curate the guest list to align with the exhibition's theme," Wintour added.

Over the past decade, the Met Gala has been the stage for memorable and widely discussed pop culture moments, such as Rihanna's entrance in a sweeping Chinese cape in 2015 and Lady Gaga's multi-faceted transformations at the 2019 Camp-themed gala. Fashion enthusiasts, critics, and the general public have closely scrutinized the red carpet in recent years, analyzing the meticulous preparations — and occasional missteps — that precede the event.

Inside the Met Gala: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes

While the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a place many have visited to admire its exhibits, only a select few have had the opportunity to enter wearing the most exquisite attire, ready to mingle and spend extravagantly among celebrities from various industries. This exclusive allure is what captivates the attention of many, prompting them to closely follow and analyze the gala.

Hanan Besovic, the social media sensation post-pandemic known for his Instagram account @ideservecouture, will be among the privileged few with a front-row seat to the gala. Alongside a select group of influencers, Besovic will be stationed at the Mark Hotel in the Upper East Side on the day of the event, just five blocks away from the Met.

At the Mark Hotel, Besovic and other fashion enthusiasts will witness the glamorous arrivals and create engaging social media content under the guidance of Meta.

After hours of meticulous preparation involving hair, makeup, and styling, the hotel's guests will emerge from their pre-gala sanctuary at the Mark to the eager eyes of fans and press, eager to catch a glimpse of their stunning ensembles before they line up on the iconic steps of the museum.

"Each person gets a minute of our attention before the next arrives," Besovic remarked.

Typically, the first arrivals include the event's chairs. This year, Zendaya, Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, and Jennifer Lopez are co-chairing the event alongside Anna Wintour.

One by one, celebrities are carefully shuffled through the carpeted steps of the Met, where thousands of global outlets standby to photograph and record every angle. The seamless choreography is seen by what Vogue says is millions via its viral streams.

What happens at the Met Gala after the red carpet?

What happens next is what fuels the most intrigue. In a vast contrast to what goes on outside, most of what occurs inside of the Met is not recorded. 

"Those tickets are crazy expensive. The brands buy out tables," Besovic said.

It's widely known the night includes a dinner and a performance. Cher, Rihanna, Madonna and Lady Gaga have performed in years past, among the world's most coveted art and notable artists.

Vogue is usually the only publication with the inside scoop. In 2023, they previewed the gala's dinner portion, guided by what they say was one of Karl Lagerfeld's most famous gatherings: Paloma Picasso's wedding reception.

Those dishes look dainty, colorful and healthy in Vogue's images, featuring chilled spring pea soup and Ōra King salmon served on vintage plates with an assortment of fruit and vegetables for last year's attendees.

Are pictures allowed inside the Met Gala?

"The only snippets that we get are from social media," Besovic says about the event's exclusivity.

Inside the exclusive Met Gala, the only peek we get is through viral bathroom videos and selfies taken by celebrities. Katie Perry hurries back into her campy burger outfit for the 2019 gala after a chance encounter with Jennifer Lopez near the stalls. The Kardashians strike a pose with Paris Jackson and a group of supermodels. Meanwhile, Lil Nas X, Erykah Badu, and Jack Harlow capture a moment together. Elevator videos also make the rounds, like the viral clip of Reese Witherspoon chatting with Cara Delevingne, Zooey Deschanel, and Kate Upton. These snippets offer a glimpse into the gala for the rest of us before we call it a night.

What goes down at the Met Gala?

As the gala wraps up, guests flock to the after-parties, hopping around New York City all night long. The Standard Hotel's "Boom Boom Room" is a favorite spot for A-listers — in 2023, singer and actress Janelle Monáe was the star of the show, as reported by Women's Wear Daily.

Brands and designers also use the after-parties as a platform for more fashion moments.

In 2016, after attending the gala, model Karlie Kloss had her outfit reimagined for the after-party by American designer Brandon Maxwell, who transformed her structured gown into a mini. This year, designers Jean Paul Gaultier and Shayne Oliver will unveil a capsule collection, showcasing around 50 pieces from their collaboration.