Politics at The Met Gala 2024

The Met Gala was hosted this on the 6^th  May where the theme was ‘The Garden of Time’ to mark the opening of the Costume Institute’s Spring exhibition which was ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening fashion.’

The cost

This year the ticket to attend the Met was $75,000 and to book a 10 seater table to cost was reported to be around $350,000. They raised $26 million which is in an increase on the $22 million they raised in 2023.

This money is raised to support the costs of the Costume Institute.

Hosts and sponsors

This year on the host panel was Zendaya, Jenifer Lopez, Bad Bunny and Chris Hemsworth.

Sponsors included, Conde Nast, Loewe and Tik Tok which helped to make the event happen.

The controversy created

This year many of the public are calling the Met Gala and the celebrities whom attended out for neglecting to mention any current political events. The conflict in Gaza calls for more aid and more pressure for a ceasefire. The area of Rafah has been the only and largest crossing for humanitarian aid as well as a border for those trying to leave into Egypt and now has become a target. Rafah became a target of Israel attacks and the over 1.4 million people who had relocated here for safety are now facing peril.

Just outside the Met gala chants could be heard, demanding for attention to focus on Rafah and the conflict as celebrities made there way along the red carpet in their glamorous looks as cameras snapped their photos.

The phrase ‘All eyes on Gaza’ has been circulating over the months to try to refocus attention away from celebrities and events such as the Met Gala and bring awareness to the danger, lack of healthcare, food and water which millions are navigating currently.

Previous Met Gala’s have paid attention to current affairs and so calls the question, why not this year?

In 2018, Lena Waithe wore a rainbow cape to bring support to the LGBTQ+ community and then in 2021 Alexandra Ocasio-Cortex wore a gown with red writing boldly stating  “Tax the Rich.” Expressing their political beliefs and making a statement through fashion and at an event known to be highly anticipated and viewed globally.

Do you think there should have been more statements to politics at the Met Gala?

History

The Met Gala was first established in 1948 by Eleanor Lambert for the newly founded costume institute and to mark the opening of its annual exhibit. Tickets were $50 and included a meal inside.

The Costume institute began as the Museum of Costume art in 1937 and by 1938, Vogue was advertising lectures on historical fashion hosted by the museum. Later, the Costume Institute merged with the Metropolitan Museum of Art but was self-funded and so the Met Gala was created in order to keep the Institute running.

Eleanor Lambert

The women responsible for, New York Fashion Week, The international Best Dressed List and more prominent fashion PR moments created the buzz around the ‘Party of the Year’ now called the Met Gala.

From there the event became more elaborate and globally known that for weeks before people are waiting to see the guest line up and the designers who will be shown.

Today

Anna Wintour has now co-chaired every Met Gala since 1995 and since more celebrities are invited to walk the red carpet. What happened inside the Met is still kept quiet with performances even guests are surprised with and press kept very limited inside.

This year inside the Met 250 archived items were presented for the first time ever from over 400 years of fashion history. Some which were too fragile were portrayed through video animation or other form of sensory simulation. Designs by Schiaparelli, Dior, Givenchy and more were displayed.