Met Gala 2022: An Overview

It’s that time of year again. For the fashion lover, The Met Gala is one of the most exciting events of the year. All heads turn to New York as the social elite of the world waltz down the red carpet to the percussion of fluttering camera shutters. Whether you are watching from your couch or seeing the photographs on your explore page the next day, there is no denying that the glamour is almost palpable. It is a moment where celebrity culture and fashion become one. My guess is even if you don’t read Vogue, you’ve seen snapshots of Rihanna wearing Maison Margiela in 2018 for the theme of “Heavenly Bodies” or Zendaya’s illuminated interpretation of Cinderella in 2021. 

Besides being one of the most heavily media-covered events of the year, the Met Gala is an annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Back in 1948, fashion was not officially recognized as an art form. Since then, the Costume Institute has carried on the tradition of being the only self-funding department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Over the years, it has quickly become one of the most extraordinary fundraising events globally, racking in $13 million in 2019 and a record-breaking $16.3 million in 2021. As preparations for the 2022 Met Gala are well underway, here is a brief insight into one of the most exclusive social events in the world:

This Year’s Met Gala Theme

As you may know, the Met Gala has an annual assigned theme for the dress code, but whether designers execute that theme is another story. This year, the theme is “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.” It is a diptych with last year's theme of “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” Previously, themes have never transcended more than one year. In light of the negative reviews associated with the poor execution of 2021’s theme, it is remarkable that the Costume Institute is following through with its initial announcement. Besides the fact that most viewers did not understand what “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” meant, it also yielded clashing results from the designers. Reflecting on the past, it seems that simple themes yield better responses from the public and, therefore, greater outreach by the media. However, the designers will have had two years to prepare their theme interpretations, so perhaps this year’s Met Gala will be more successful than the last. 

How is the Theme Different from Last Year?

This year’s theme plays off of last year’s, once again requiring designers to devise an ode to American fashion. The major difference is changing from “lexicon” to “anthology.” Both of these terms are commonly associated with literature. According to the Oxford English dictionary, an anthology can be loosely defined as “a collection of selected works of art,” and lexicon is “the vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge”. Thus, it seems the greatest discrepancy between the two themes is the scope. Last year, the focus was on the little details or the vocabulary of American fashion. This year, the focus zooms outwards. It catalyzes an examination of the evolution of fashion throughout time and an investigation into the people woven into the tapestry of American fashion. Overall, this year's theme continues to scrutinize the very foundations of Americanism, and the two-part exposition is likely due to the polarizing social changes of the last few years. 

The importance of Celebrity Culture on Fashion Marketing

As much as I would love to say that the Met Gala is purely for artistic expression, it is yet another event meant to generate profit—both for the Costume Institute and for the fashion brands featured. From a marketing standpoint, exclusive social events like the Met Gala are a cornerstone for branding. Fashion labels want their collections to be publicized, and what better way to publicize than by dressing the most closely examined people in the world—celebrities. After all, celebrities influence thousands of people into buying a product with a simple name drop of a brand in an interview. Therefore, the act of choosing a celebrity who aligns with the “vision” of a fashion brand boils down to being an annual marketing campaign. An example of effective brand-building is Birkin. The skinned crocodile handbags are known for their hefty price tag that ranges from $12,000 to $200,000. For many, owning a Birkin handbag is one of those excessively luxurious things that screams, “I made it!”. 

The Met Gala proves that human nature is unchanging—it is a perpetual game of Simon Says. It seems we have never quite gotten over the playground politics of elementary school because subconsciously, we still try to mimic celebrities in hopes of one day being invited into their exclusive club. If Lorde wears platform shoes, we go to the store and buy platform shoes. 

Hence, it is important to remember that the most glamorous night of the year is merely a collection of beautiful people in beautiful clothes. Attending the Met Gala is a symbol of success, and everything affiliated with it reaps the benefits of association. While the celebrities, tech giants, and fashion moguls glide up the grand staircase, they are selling a dream of unattainable luxury to the average person. After watching the 2022 Met Gala, notice how you stare a little longer at that little Givenchy bag, because “oh how sweet did Kendall Jenner look in their dress.” Thus, the Met Gala is simply a major platform for promotion, selling mundane people an illusion of success.