BY CHIARA DI LEO

For those who might need a quick catch-up, here is a summary of what you need to know about this iconic event and its most recent edition.

Once a year, New York City becomes the centre of the fashion world as all eyes lock onto a single event: the Met Gala. Also known as the “Oscars of the Fashion world”, the Met Gala is more than just a red carpet; it is a charity event and fundraiser that directly supports the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. If you are wondering whether it actually raises significant funds or it’s just a little yearly reunion for an elite of celebrities, the answer is a resounding yes; the latest Met Gala raised a record-breaking $42 million. Every year, a specific theme is selected, which heavily influences the dress code. The latest theme? “Costume Art,” with the dress code defined as “Fashion is Art.” For the guests, months of work go into planning each look, collaborating with designers and glam squads to interpret the exhibition theme. The latest edition inaugurated the Met’s new, nearly 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries. For those who didn’t quite catch it from the name, the Met Gala takes place every year at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The exhibition explores various depictions of the dressed body across the Met’s curatorial departments, pairing garments with diverse art objects spanning some 5,000 years. The objects featured in “Costume Art” are organised into a series of thematic body types that range from the “Classical Body”, both of which is well-represented within the museum’s existing collection, and broadly in a lot of museums, to the “Pregnant Body” and the “Ageing Body,” which have historically been overlooked. At this point, you are familiar with the basics and the core theme, which is crucial, as it dictates the entire atmosphere of the evening; you might be curious about the actual experience.

Each year, the Met Gala welcomes a few celebrity co-chairs as hosts for the event. This year, the co-chairs were Beyoncé, Venus Williams, and Nicole Kidman, alongside Anna Wintour. The question remains: What really happens inside? Interestingly, the details are kept very secretively, as guests are required to follow a strict no-phone (and no social media) rule once they cross the threshold. That naturally makes this event very exclusive and looked at. However, the evening typically flows from cocktails to a formal dinner, capped off by a performance from a high-profile artist. And, naturally, the attendees can visit the exhibition. For the latest edition, that spotlight belonged to Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna.

The décor is always a masterpiece in its own right; for 2026, the event designer Raúl Àvila drew inspiration from Northern Italian gardens, featuring fruit-adorned tablescapes and elegant striped linens. Despite the intense privacy, the guest list remains the most coveted in the world, usually limited to around 450 exclusive attendees. Outside the event, however, the atmosphere is completely different. Crowds of fans and countless paparazzi gather for hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite celebrities as they arrive at one of the most famous fashion shows. And for 2027? What’s awaited? According to @vogue magazine, the Met Costume Institute just announced that it will dedicate its 2027 spring show and gala to the work of designer John Galliano. John Galliano is a British fashion designer widely regarded as one of the most brilliant and theatrical forces in modern luxury fashion. He is best known for his spectacular, historically romantic tenure as the creative director of Christian Dior from 1996 to 2011. Following a public downfall and exile due to racist remarks made during a struggle with addiction, he underwent extensive rehabilitation and made a successful comeback. He currently serves as the creative director of Maison Margiela, where his critically acclaimed Spring/Summer 2024 Artisanal collection cemented his status as a master of avant-garde haute couture.