YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE MET GALA
Today is the first monday in May. To the average person this is a fact, a non-issue, a simple reminder to check their Susan Miller horoscope, but for the fashion elite and its addicted followers, it is no ordinary day because today is the annual Met Gala. For those who might not know much about the Met Gala, it is a massive party hosted by Anna Wintour to honor the new Costume Institute exhibit. Recently due to the release of the perfectly named documentary, The First Monday in May (a recent STITCH fieldtrip was to see the film), a heightened interest in the inner workings of the event has grown and along the way made a sudden film star out of the head curator, Andrew Bolton. Each year, the Met Gala and exhibit has a different theme pertaining to the particular aspect of the fashion world. Past exhibits have ranged from Chanel, Superheros and the most recent China: Through the Looking Glass. As with any high profile event where the biggest names in the world somehow are able to all work this event into their schedules, there is a lot to take in. So here are some facts and tips to prepare yourself for this year’s extravaganza.
FAST FACTS
1. This years theme is Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology. Lead by head curator and new documentary star, Andrew Bolton, this year’s theme is an exploration of the world of man and technology and its intersection, whether that be good or bad. This exhibit begins with the foundation of haute-couture in the late 19th century and brings the viewers through fashion history with the addition of technologies such as the sewing machine and newer practices such as mass production.
Here are some pieces you can see on display:
Dior by Raf Simons
Hussein Chalayan "Kaikou" floating dress
2. The honorary guest chair is fashion’s favorite country gal, Taylor Swift. Previous honorary guest chairs include, Gianna Versace, Karl Lagerfeld and Beyonce.
Besides Taylor Swift, the other co-chairs of the night include Apple’s Chief Design Officer, Jony Ive, Nicholas Ghesquiere from Louis Vuitton, Karl Lagerfeld, Muiccia Prada and Idris Alba.
3. Each individual ticket costs a small lump sum of $30,000 dollars. Most tickets are bought by major fashion houses who buy a table of 10 for them and their uber fashionable and lust worthy guests for $275,000.
BUT just because you can afford the price does not mean you get instant access, all guests must get the Anna Wintour Stamp of Approval. It is rumoured that in the past Anna Wintour wouldn’t let stars like Kim Kardashian in until she believed they were worthy of such honor.
4. Fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert organized the first Met Gala in 1948. The Met Gala truly changed once Anna Wintour took the reins in 1999 (as did the entire fashion world) and it became a party for the fashion elite and less for New York Socialites. In her time at the helm of the event, Anna Wintour has helped raise over $145 million for the Costume Institute, which in 2014 was renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Center.
5. No good or buzz worthy event comes without drama. Remember, the Solange vs. Jay-Z fight in the elevator, yep that was after the Met Gala. Perfect timing that Beyonce’s Lemonade was just dropped and that video has been resurfaced to mass media (btw, is Rachel Roy Becky?!)
Another fun piece of gossip comes from the once darling all American gal of Vogue, Gwyneth Paltrow, who allegedly said the Met Gala “sucked”. Gwyneth’s no show to the Met Gala last year may be a sign that she is no longer a go-to guest.
Finally, DO NOT let Anna Wintour catch you posting on social media which is strictly forbidden, it is said that Anna is not happy with the actions of Kim Kardashian from breaking such rule last year.
On Monday night, as many of us sit patiently, watching for the photos of the red carpet to roll in on all our social media accounts, here are a few ways to cool out your fomo and get in the zone about Manus x Machina:
1. Go see “The First Monday in May Documentary”. This documentary recently debuted at Tribeca Film Festival and has been shown in small theaters throughout the country in most major cities.
Two theaters where the movie in showing in Chicago is, Music Box and Landmark Renaissance Place Theater, or wait patiently for it to go on Netflix.
2. Go on Vogue and Vogue Runway (they have an entire tab dedicated to the Met Gala) and stalk all the past shows and the best and sadly worst looks.
Here are my personal favs from the past:
Rihanna in Stella McCartney
Gisele in Atelier Versace
3. Watch movies and tv shows that also fit the theme of Manus x Machina
THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ONE: Ex Machina
THE FAN FAVORITE ONE: I, Robot
THE BINGE WATCHING ONE: Mr. Robot
THE THROWBACK ONE: Smarthouse
4. Watch other amazing fashion documentaries found on Netflix and HBOgo.
For a good list, check out this article on STITCH: http://www.stitchfashion.com/home//5-fashion-documentaries-to-watch-over-sb
5. For those few ambitious and creative types try to make your own clothing or go out into Evanston and check out the amazing shopping around you while you continue procrastinating from all the work of a Northwestern student! Or check out some cool designers who are blending the lines between fashion and technology like recent Fashion Fund alum, Becca McCharen from Chromat.
The Met Gala only comes once a year and every year it is more spectacular than the next. Even if you can never make it to the Met to see the show or ever get that coveted, don’t worry because that is only a small part of the entire experience.