The Met Gala – or Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, as it’s officially known – is arguably the social event of the year.
A black-tie extravaganza that takes place on the first Monday in May every year, the party signals the opening of the Costume Institute’s – a department of the museum which boasts a collection of more than 33,000 costumes and accessories – annual show with a parade of well-dressed guests posing on the grand entrance stairs to the museum.
While the gala might be a charity event, and primarily about raising funds, that doesn’t mean just anyone gets to attend.
Since 1995, the guest list has been carefully presided over by American Vogue editor Anna Wintour and this year will be no different.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Met Gala’s guest list, from who is attending this year to how you can get an invite.
How much does a ticket cost?
Tickets go for $30,000 (£23,000), while tables cost £275,000 (£211,000). Only those who have pass Wintour’s approval will get an opportunity to attend the $3.5m (£2.69m) event.
While this is a monumental amount of money, as a fundraising event, it’s for a good cause.
All of the money from ticket sales is donated to the Costume Institute, which is the only department of the Met Museum that has to fund itself.
In 2018, it was reported that just over £12m was raised.
So, can anyone who can afford a ticket go?
Unfortunately not. Unlike other charity events, the Met Gala is invitation only and there is a waiting list to get a ticket.
According to The New York Times, invitations are typically based on a person’s status. So, if you’re the latest model, muse or major talent in the world of fashion, film or music, you’re pretty much guaranteed the opportunity to buy a seat.
While companies can buy entire tables at the event, Wintour still has the final say over every invitation, so brands can’t always choose who sits at their table.
How many people attend the Met Gala?
In 2017, it was reported that 550 people attended the event. However, that was a more intimate affair with the theme: “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between.”
Last year’s show, “Heavenly Bodies”,was the biggest exhibition the Costume Institute has produced to date with around 58,600 square feet, stretching over three galleries.
It has been estimated that 2019’s Met Gala will host anywhere between 600 and 700 guests, ranging from A-list stars to designers and brand sponsors.
Who is invited this year?
The tradition is that every year a number of designers and celebrities are selected to co-chair the event alongside Wintour.
For 2019, Wintour has selected singer Lady Gaga, tennis champion Serena Williams, singer Harry Styles and Gucci designer Alessandro Michelle as her co-chairs. It is rumoured that Gaga or Styles will perform on the night.
Along with the co-chairs, the event also has a host committee which is made up of the a number of well-known names.
This year, The Hollywood Reporter states that the list of 183 names includes Bradley Cooper, Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, Lupita Nyong'o, Donatella Versace and Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller.
Who isn’t invited?
While it remains to be seen who exactly will be granted entry on the night, Wintour has made it clear that one person will definitely not be given an invite: US president Donald Trump.
During a panel discussion at the annual Women in the World Summit on 12 April, Wintour said there was “absolutely nothing” Trump could do to receive an invitation to the upcoming “Camp: Notes on Fashion”-themed event.
“Absolutely nothing,” she said to rapturous applause from the audience at the Lincoln Centre in New York City.
Keep up-to-date with the latest news about the 2019 Met Gala at The Independent here.
