The Met
History of The Met
The Met Gala was established in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert as a fundraiser for the newly founded Costume
Institute to mark the opening of its annual exhibit. The first gala comprised a dinner, and tickets were 50 dollars
each. Over the first few decades of its existence, the Gala was simply one of many annual benefits held for New York
charitable institutions. Accordingly, the attendees of the early galas were almost entirely members of New York high
society or the city's fashion industry. From 1948 to 1971, the event was held at various Manhattan venues, including the
Waldorf Astoria, Central Park, and the Rainbow Room.
When Diana Vreeland became consultant to the Costume Institute in 1972, the Gala began to evolve into a more global and
glamorous affair, although one that was still aimed at the high-societal set. The event started to become higher
profile celebrity-oriented with attendees like Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, Bianca Jagger, Diana Ross, Elton John,
Liza Minnelli, Madonna, and Cher intermixing with the city's elite. It was during the Vreeland years that the Gala
was first held at the Met and that Gala themes were introduced.
American fashion designer, (1932 - 1990) with Bianca Jagger at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala, New York City, 7th December 1981.
Present Day
The Met Costume Institute Gala is a highly renowned fundraising benefit that serves as an opening celebration for the Institute's annual fashion exhibit. Following the event, the exhibition runs for several months. For example, the 2014 exhibition was scheduled to run from May 8 until August 10, 2014. The affair, attended by personalities from the arts, fashion, high-society, film, and music, has been held at the Met since 1948 and is considered to be the fashion industry's premier annual red carpet event. Its red carpet fashions are widely photographed, reviewed, critiqued, and emulated. The museum is closed to the general public on the first Monday of May due to the Gala occurring.