Met Gala's 15-Year Evolution: From Evening Gowns to Theatrical Spectacle
The Met Gala has really evolved over the last 15 years, shifting from just elegant gowns to full-on performances. This year, it's centered around the Costume Institute's exhibition called 'Costume Art,' and the co-hosts include big names like Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, with a dress code that says 'Fashion is Art.' In 2023, the gala honored Karl Lagerfeld with co-host Michaela Coel and others. Last year's theme, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,' featured Colman Domingo. Looking to 2024, the exhibition 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion' will showcase 250 pieces and will be co-hosted by Zendaya and others. Previous themes included 'In America' in 2022, 'Camp' in 2019, and 'Heavenly Bodies' in 2018.
Key facts
- The Met Gala red carpet has evolved from evening gowns to theatrical spectacle over 15 years
- This year's theme is 'Fashion is Art' celebrating the 'Costume Art' exhibition
- The 2025 theme 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' focused on Black dandyism across 300 years
- The 2024 'Sleeping Beauties' exhibition used AI, CGI, and sensory stimulation for 250 items
- The 2023 event honored Karl Lagerfeld's work at Chanel, Fendi, and Balmain
- The 2019 'Camp' theme referenced Susan Sontag's 1964 essay 'Notes on Camp'
- The 2018 exhibition explored Catholic iconography in fashion from papal vestments
- The 2010 exhibition examined perceptions of American women from 1890 to 1940
Entities
Artists
- Beyoncé
- Nicole Kidman
- Venus Williams
- Anna Wintour
- Colman Domingo
- Lewis Hamilton
- A$AP Rocky
- Pharrell Williams
- LeBron James
- Zendaya
- Jennifer Lopez
- Chris Hemsworth
- Bad Bunny
- Michaela Coel
- Penélope Cruz
- Roger Federer
- Dua Lipa
- Jared Leto
- Lady Gaga
- Rihanna
- Kim Kardashian
- Kanye West
- Gigi Hadid
- Zayn Malik
- Dakota Johnson
- Florence Welch
- Sarah Jessica Parker
- Carey Mulligan
- Jessica Biel
- Amber Valletta
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Eva Mendes
- Naomi Campbell
- Katy Perry
- Renée Zellweger
- Helen Lasichanh
- Olsen twins
- Karl Lagerfeld
- Rei Kawakubo
- Charles James
- Elsa Schiaparelli
- Miuccia Prada
- Lee Alexander McQueen
- Susan Sontag
- Gianni Versace
- Coco Chanel
- Christian Dior
- Philip Treacy
- Marc Jacobs
- Givenchy
- Valentino
- Bvlgari
- Belperron
- Dior Men
- Jean Louis
- Cartier
- Balenciaga
- Maria Tash
- Thelma West
- ERL
- Brandon Maxwell
- Jean Paul Gaultier
- Narcisa Pheres
- Comme des Garçons
- Balmain
- Guo Pei
- Jason Wu
- Ralph & Russo
- Riccardo Tisci
- Rooney Mara
- Emilio Pucci
- Blake Lively
- Ysaunny Brito
- Olivier Rousteing
Institutions
- Met Gala
- Costume Institute
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Anna Wintour Costume Center
- Vogue
- Getty Images
Locations
- New York
- United States