Met Gala 2019 Explained: Everything You Need To Know Plus The Hottest Looks From The Past

Ria5/06/2019 10:54 PM

If you’re like me then you were probably very confused about this years Met Gala theme, or you have no idea what the Met Gala even is but I’m here to help. This years theme is ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ and once you read the word “camp” you probably started thinking of tents and sleeping bags just like everyone else. I even pictured some model walking in with flames and toasted marshmallows plastered all over a Versace gown which I’m sure still might happen since it is the Met Gala, but it has an entirely different meaning. I have done my research and I’m here to give you an easy guide to the biggest night in fashion and what it all means.

When and where is the Met Gala?

Tonight, Monday May 6th in New York. Red carpet coverage starts at 7 PM

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What is the Met Gala?

It’s an annual fundraiser held by the New York Metropolitan Museum Of Art aka the Metropolitan Museum Of Art Costume Benefit held the first Monday of May every year to raise money for the costume institute (the fashion department). The gala is organized by Anna Wintour (aka editor in chief of Vogue) and her committee each year. This year’s host of the event include Anna Wintour (of course), Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, and Alessandro Michele, the creative director of Gucci.

What the Met Gala means to you:

A night where we watch the most famous celebrities dress up in unique looks, walk the red carpet, and post pictures on Instagram that say “oops no pictures allowed” because Anna Wintour has set a rule in place (and other rules) that prohibits phone use for photography and social media during the event.

See how well that rule is followed here:

What does this years theme ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ mean?

This year’s theme is ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ and it had people (me) very confused, but after much research I have figured out the meaning. This exhibition is inspired by Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on Camp” where she defines what camp is in many different ways. If you want it in simpler terms, Camp, defined by Wikipedia, means this:

This means this years looks will be completely and authentically what the guest and designer want to do. It’s up to them to come up with a look that is exaggerated and brilliant all in one.

Examples of what I think is considered “Camp”:

When Rihanna turned into the actual Pope…

When Lady Gaga wore meat as a dress…

And to make it even more clear, the brand Off White is literally “Notes on Fashion”…

Who gets to go:

The Met Gala is the most exclusive night in the industry so an invitation is definitely hard to score. Tickets for the gala cost up to $30,000 and tables cost somewhere between $275,000-300,000. Brands and fashion designers usually buy tables and bring guests to the event. The people invited are hand picked by Anna Wintour herself and fashion designers pair up with a celebrity guest to dress. If you’re invited by a designer that means you probably don’t have to pay to get in. The best part of the night is seeing which celebrities are wearing what designers and who is bringing who. What I’m most excited for is Hailey and Justin Bieber’s red carpet debut after Hailey attended last year with Shawn Mendes. It’s going to be a long night of having major fomo but I’m ready for it. Here are some of my favorite looks from recent years to hold you over until tonight…

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2018: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination