The Met Gala history & highlights - Episode 50
It’s almost the first Monday in May! We’re diving into everything you need to know about the Met Gala—past and present.
I’m breaking down the history of the event, some of the most memorable themes and red carpet looks over the years, and what we know about the 2025 Met Gala theme and co-hosts for this year’s event.
Whether you are fashion obsessed or just here for the pop culture tea, you’ll leave knowing a whole lot more about fashion’s biggest night.
Create & consume
What Austen is creating this week: I wrote a blog post about which colors to pair with red with 9 color combinations to try and which to avoid
What Austen is consuming this week: We started season 18 of The Amazing Race which is an all stars season
In this episode:
History of the Met Gala
The first-ever Met Gala was held in December of 1948 at the Waldorf Astoria and was hosted by Eleanor Lambert.
She was a NYC-based fashion publicist who wanted the city to be recognized as a fashion capital like Milan or Paris.
Lambert also created a bi-annual press week for designers to showcase their work, a tradition we still have today called New York Fashion Week.
That first gala? An intimate dinner—hosted at midnight.
In the 1970s, Diana Vreeland took over and introduced the themed exhibitions that we now associate with the event. She also moved the party to the Met Museum itself.
By 1995, Anna Wintour had stepped in and made it her own. She’s the one who shifted the date to the now-iconic first Monday in May.
Met Museum Costume Institute and fundraising
In 2024, the Met Gala raised a little over $26 million for the Costume Institute.
Vanessa Friedman of The New York Times described the Met Gala as more than a fundraiser—it’s also a reflection of Vogue’s world view: who they see as important in fashion, art, social media, film, and beyond.
Individual tickets cost $75,000, while tables of 10 run $350,000.
Most of that cost is covered by brands, who then invite celebrities, models, and other high-profile guests that align with their aesthetics and values.
This year, sponsors include Louis Vuitton, Instagram, Africa Fashion International, Tyler Perry, and Condé Nast. Around 400 guests are expected to attend.
Themes throughout the years
Here are a few notable themes and exhibitions from past several decades:
1973 – The World of Balenciaga: Thematic debut during the Vreeland years.
1982 – La Belle Époque: A romanticized look at turn-of-the-century optimism and elegance.
1995 – Haute Couture: A retrospective featuring Chanel, Versace, and more—Anna Wintour’s first as chair.
2001 – Jackie Kennedy: The White House Years: A tribute to Jackie O’s fashion legacy. The only political figure spotlighted so far.
2011 – Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty: A heartbreaking and awe-inspiring tribute to the late designer.
2024 – Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion: A look into the museum's Costume Institute archives
2025 event and theme
This year’s theme is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.
The inspiration comes from guest curator Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion, which examines the intersection of style and Black identity.
Miller, a professor of Africana Studies at Barnard College (my alma mater!), co-curated the exhibition with Andrew Bolton of the Costume Institute.
The exhibit will explore the concept of the Black dandy—a cultural icon who’s used fashion as both self-expression and empowerment dating back to 18th-century Europe.
This aesthetic evolved into a tool for reclaiming power and reshaping identity within the Black community, using fashion, posture, and presence to challenge social norms.
In a video on the Met’s YouTube channel, Miller says: “The exhibition explores how the history of Black dandyism illustrates the transformation from being enslaved and stylized as luxury items to autonomous, self-fashioning individuals who are global trendsetters.”
Expect to see menswear, accessories, photography, art, film, and more—this is the first menswear-focused theme since 2003 and the first Met Gala exhibit to feature only designers of color.
Dress code
This year’s dress code is Tailored for You.
Vanessa Friedman called it “suitably vague”—and yes, that double entendre is probably intentional.
The vibe is inspired by the exhibit, but expect guests to keep it subtle to avoid cultural appropriation.
With Louis Vuitton as a major sponsor, we’ll likely see plenty of tailored suits and luxe interpretations.
2025 co-chairs
Anna Wintour
LeBron James (basketball start whose attendance is TBD based on the Lakers’ NBA playoff schedule)
Pharrell Williams (musician and menswear designer employed by LVMH)
A$AP Rocky (musician)
Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1 driver)
Colman Domingo (actor)
Plus, for the first time since 2019, there’s a full host committee. Some confirmed names include Simone Biles, Audra McDonald, and Tyla.
Who might we see in attendance?
Hopefully names like Rihanna (Met Gala icon and partner of co-chair A$AP Rocky), Doechii, Michaela Cole, Lil Nas X and some of the usual suspects
Athletes, potentially from the basketball world given LeBron's involvement
Black designers and creatives across fashion, film, and music
Further reading
Anna: The Biography by Amy Odell
Fashion’s Big Night Out by Kristen Bateman
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
Summary
I hope you enjoyed this dive back deep into the Met Gala—from how it started and how it evolved to what’s in store for 2025.
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