From an outsider’s view the Met Gala looks like just a bunch of celebrities gathering for a party but the event is actually a fundraising ball for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute based in New York organized by American fashion magazine Vogue. It also marks the start of the Institute’s annual fashion exhibit.
Even though last year’s event was postponed, it actually raised more than $16.4 million which is the most that the Met Gala has ever raised. The money comes from ticket sales because while celebrities are invited, the brands have to pay $35,000 for a ticket, and they usually book tables, the cost of which ranges from $200,000 to $300,000.
The Met Gala has been held every year since 1948, except in 2000, 2002 and 2020, and it takes place on the first Monday of May apart from 2021. It always has a theme and the invited guests are expected to follow it, but they are not obligated. The theme is picked by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
For 2022, Anna Wintour chose the theme “In America: An Anthology of Fashion," and the dress code was gilded glamour and white tie. Gilded Glamour is a history period between 1870 to 1900. The term was actually coined by writer Mark Twain, coming from his 1893 novel The Gilded Age, written with Charles Dudley Warner. It is a satirical piece talking about how America after the Civil War became greedy and politically corrupt.
During this time, the lightbulb and the telephone were invented as well as machines that sped up the clothing-making process, but the extravagant clothing characteristic to this period actually was concealing the turmoil in the post-Civil War society.
Stylist Christina Stein says “Gilded, by definition, means covered thinly with gold leaf or gold paint. So the definition could be taken quite literally with a lot of gold. But if we refer to The Gilded Age, the name suggests that the appearance of wealth concealed actual poverty. Gilded is often used to point out illusions in this way."
In that period, people would approach fashion with the more-is-more attitude and their outfits would be over the top, including a lot of gold details, massive jewelry, ruffles and bows. Women’s clothing would have exaggerated waists and they would accessorize to create more drama with umbrellas and feathered hats.
What dominated in men’s fashion was the tuxedo. Its appearance actually hasn’t changed that much since then, but back in the day, men would finish the look with a pointed beard and a luscious mustache.
It seems that many people were disappointed to not see the Gilded Age well represented at the 2022 Met Gala. Many were expecting outfits that would resemble something from Bridgerton with the corsets and the feathers, so when they saw what the celebrities chose to wear, they didn't hold back with the roasts.
Who would you say was the best and worst dressed? Who do you think did their homework and dressed to the theme the most accurately? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to upvote the tweets that you thought were the funniest!
