Met Gala 2018: 20 Fast Facts to Know
Think you know everything about the annual Met Gala? Think again. You may scroll Instagram the night of and religiously refresh Twitter for funny gifs and outfit credits, but there’s a lot more to the evening than pretty dresses and iconic group selfies. We answered the most-googled questions about the biggest fashion event of the year, from the red carpet start time to all the myriad ways you can stream the Met Gala live. And we can't forget the famed Met Gala theme and the corresponding museum exhibit either. Scroll through for 20 things you need to know about the Met Gala.
Anadolu Agency/Getty Images1/21What is the Met Gala?
The Met Gala is the annual opening event for New York City’s Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute spring exhibition.
Anthony Harvey/Getty Images2/21When is the Met Gala?
The Met Gala is held on the first Monday of May, always. This year, it falls on the evening of May 7, 2018.
Lisa Maree Williams3/21What is the theme for Met Gala this year?
The theme for this year’s Costume Institute exhibit is "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination." It promises to be a conversation about the connections and diversions between fashion and religious art and masterworks, even including papal robes on loan from the Sistine Chapel.
James Devaney/Getty Images4/21Where is the Met Gala held?
The Met Gala is held at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum. After a jaw-dropping red-carpet on the iconic museum stairs, the attendees walk through the exhibit itself for a first-look. Afterwards, cocktails, dinner, and dancing are held in the Temple of Dendur, within the museum walls.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images5/21What time does the Met Gala Red Carpet start?
The red carpet arrivals begin a little bit before 7 PM, with most of the hard-hitters arriving closer to 7:30 or 8 PM. Viewers will be able to tune in for the hour of red carpet coverage between 7 PM and 8 PM.
Anadolu Agency/Getty Images6/21What happens at the Met Gala?
After the red carpet, all those invited to the exclusive event have an opportunity to walk through the exhibit before it’s open to the public. Afterwards, the celebration continues with dinner and dancing in one of the most beautiful landmarks in the city.
Michael Stewart/Getty Images7/21Who gets to attend the Met Gala?
Attendees are the who’s-who in the fashion world. Designers, celebrities, models, and editors all come together to fete the much-anticipated Costume Institute opening.
Anadolu Agency/Getty Images8/21What is the purpose of the Met Gala?
The purpose of the Met Gala is to celebrate the fashion industry. It is about the history, the present, and what is to come. Be it a designer, themed inspiration or the technical process of creation, all exhibits are curated to perfection, focusing on a different aspect of the industry each year.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/Getty Images9/21How to watch the Met Gala Red Carpet?
From 7:00 PM EST to 8:00 PM EST, you will be able to watch the red carpet arrivals on Vogue’s Facebook page. The video will make use of the company’s 360-view live stream and promises to make you feel as if you’re standing right on the Fifth Avenue stairway. Additionally, E! will be giving us a backstage pass, starting their live television coverage at 6:30pm. Check out all the ways to watch here.
Dimitrios Kambouris10/21Who is performing at the Met Gala this year?
No performers have officially been announced, but we're hoping that the surprise stage guest will be none other than Rihanna herself, who is co-hosting the event this year. She did perform at the gala in 2015, so she certainly knows a thing or two about the crowd! Past performances have boasted everyone from Kanye West to Debbie Harry.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images11/21Who are the best dressed in Met Gala history?
There have been some epic Met Gala looks throughout history. In recent years, it is Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé who tend to garner the most attention and anticipation. Each year, red carpet-bound attendees are honored to be dressed in unique looks from the most respected designers in the industry so it’s a sure bet that it’s the best-dressed event of the year.
Getty Images12/21How old is the Met Gala?
This year marks the Met Gala's 70th anniversary. The event has been happening in some capacity since 1948, and only gets bigger every year. Each year, co-chairs and honorary event chairs are selected.
Getty Images13/21What does the Met Gala celebrate?
It celebrates the opening of The Costume Institute’s spring exhibition. The Costume Institute contains more than 35,000 pieces of clothing and accessories made in five continents over seven centuries. Each exhibition has a theme which inspires each gala’s dress code. Past themes have covered everything from dance to punk to royal families.
Getty Images14/21How much money does it raise?
According to The New York Times, the Gala has raised over $145 million for The Costume Institute since 1995. Not bad, huh?
Getty Images15/21Are celebrities and designers paired up?
Traditionally, they are. Past pairs include Selena Gomez and Vera Wang, Blake Lively and Karl Lagerfeld, Cara Delevingne and Stella McCartney, and more. The pairings can change from year-to-year.
Getty Images16/21Where do stars turn for Met Gala style inspo?
Stars often look to past galas for inspiration. Kim Kardashian turned heads in 2015 in a barely-there see-through dress by Roberto Cavalli, but she wasn’t the first to wear a feathered gown to the gala. Later that night, Kim shared a photo of Cher in a similar Bob Mackie dress on Instagram, writing: “Tonight’s inspiration! Cher at the 1st ever Met Gala!” Though it wasn’t technically the first Met Gala, it was Cher’s first time there in 1974.
Photo: Instagram @JustinBieber17/21What's the deal with the seating chart?
The seating chart is everything. If you saw The First Monday in May, you’ll remember the scene involving the color-coded chart. “We’re very thoughtful about where we put people,” Vogue Director of Special Projects Sylvana Ward Durrett told Vogue. “There’s a lot of networking that goes on, and you hear all these stories that come out of the Met, like so-and-so is now doing a fragrance with Marc Jacobs because they met at the [event].”
Getty Images18/21How long has Anna Wintour been co-chair?
Anna Wintour has been the co-chair since 1995. Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour has been in charge of the big event for 22 years (excluding 1996 and 1998). She’s been in good company with past co-chairs including everyone from major celebs like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lawrence to designers like Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld.
Getty Images19/21What is the interior of the Met Gala like?
The interiors are just as intricate as the gowns. Past interiors have included zebra print chairs, super hero statues, and mirrored chandeliers. A vase made of roses for 2015's event weighed 12,500 pounds — really!
Photo: Instagram @KendallJenner20/21Does any one follow the no-social-media rule?
Most are advised not to post on social media, but let's be real: the entire evening is one big photo opp. The cameras don’t stop — even after the stars step off the red carpet and into the party. Kendall Jenner even posted a selfie from a mini party in the bathroom last year. Say cheese!
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