In New York, the 78th Met Gala took place on Monday night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, drawing global attention as this year’s theme, “Costume Art”, placed fashion firmly within the realm of artistic expression.
Held on May 4, the annual fundraiser marked the opening of the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, titled “Costume Art”, housed in the museum’s newly built Condé Nast gallery.
Curated by Andrew Bolton, the exhibition explores the evolution of clothing across different body types over centuries, presented alongside the museum’s permanent artworks.
The exhibition aims to position clothing as a living art form through its relationship with the human body and will open to the public on May 10.
The gala was watched by millions worldwide across television and social media platforms. This year’s dress code, “Fashion is Art”, was reflected in bold and experimental looks on the red carpet.
The event was co-chaired by American singer-songwriter and actress Beyoncé, who returned to the Met Gala after a decade, alongside actress Nicole Kidman, tennis player Venus Williams and former Vogue-editor Anna Wintour.
Honorary co-chairs included Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, and journalist and businessperson Lauren Sánchez Bezos, while Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz served on the organising committee.
One of the most discussed moments of the evening was Beyoncé’s return, as she appeared in a skeleton-inspired gown with a feathered train. She was accompanied by her husband, American rapper and businessman Jay-Z, and their daughter Blue Ivy Carter, who attended the event for the first time. Rihanna also drew attention on the red carpet, appearing alongside husband, rapper-producer ASAP Rocky, in a Maison Margiela-designed gown.
Among other notable appearances, singer-songwriter and actress Sabrina Carpenter wore a gown made from film strips, while Russian fashion model and actress Irina Shayk appeared in a dress constructed from items such as a watch, ring and necklace. Designed by Alexander Wang, the look was described as one of the most daring of the evening.
The event raised a record $42 million for the Costume Institute.
The Met Gala was founded in 1948 by Eleanor Lambert as a fundraising initiative, with tickets initially priced at $50. For its first two decades, attendance was limited to New York’s social elite.
In 1972, former Vogue editor Diana Vreeland introduced the concept of themed events after becoming an advisor to the institute.
A major transformation followed in 1995, when Anna Wintour assumed leadership. Under her direction, the Met Gala has become one of the world’s most prominent fashion events, where an invitation is widely regarded as a mark of distinction.
To date, it has raised more than $200 million for the Costume Institute.
