After more than a year of pandemic, we all want something to fan over. Being stuck inside and having exhausted all possible quarantine hobbies, everyone wants some sort of distraction. And what could be a better distraction than the mystical, glamorous and exclusive Met Gala? Co-chairs Timothee Chalamet, Amanda Gorman, Naomi Osaka and Billie Eilish only contribute to the fanfare of the event. Especially to all us young people. I can already see the Timothee Chalamet groupies, to-be poets who idolize Amanda, tennis Naomi fans and diehard Billie stans poring over every event photo and video. But while I love watching the red carpet, the crazy outfits and the elusive celebrity appearances, I always am a little let down by its exclusivity. What happens inside the Gala? Once Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Blake Lively pose and smile at the cameras, where do they disappear?
Does the exclusivity of the Met Gala make it more appealing?
I’m not sure.
Am I more eager to pore over every social media post knowing that I won’t see what’s inside?
Well, I spent hours looking at Kylie Jenner’s iconic bathroom mirror selfie.
Or am I just frustrated that this event is so gatekept?
Especially when the theme of this year is reexamining the American identity.
As stated by Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in charge of the Costume Institute, “I’ve been really impressed by American designers’ responses to the social and political climate, particularly around issues of body inclusivity and gender fluidity, and I’m just finding their work very, very self-reflective. I really do believe that American fashion is undergoing a renaissance. I think young designers in particular are at the vanguard of discussions about diversity and inclusion, as well as sustainability and transparency.” Well, if the theme is all about inclusivity and transparency, why are guests prohibited from posting on social media post-red carpet?
Why are tickets $30,000 each?
Why is the event invite-only?
As one of my coworkers said, how is this event “one of the most visible yet invisible ones” in existence?
Well, the Met Gala is the one night during which all annual funds for the Costume Institute are raised. And the funds come from high-end brands. Their motivation for attending the event is twofold. First, it’s one of the rare chances for these brands to engage with audiences of pop culture across the globe. In a world where social media consumes the time and attention of all audiences, the Met Gala boasts enough starpower to command everyone’s attention for an evening.
Second, the Gala provides a marketing opportunity for brands and celebrities alike that isn’t too “on the nose.” Most ads are very obvious: in a magazine, on a TV, in between the plays of the Super Bowl. They try so hard to implicitly promote the brand and their products that it becomes explicit. The Met Gala is a promotional opportunity veiled under the cloak of charity. And the event’s exclusivity allows brands to simultaneously establish themselves as top-notch. For all the reasons listed above, most brands can’t afford to not attend the event. So, they often purchase a table of seats at the event, each costing around $275,000. Then, they invite celebrities (usually the most relevant ones of the current era) to sit at their table. Celebrities usually attend free with one rule: They must be dressed by the brands who invite them. So, the motivation from the brands and celebrities make sense. But, what I don’t completely understand is my own motivation to watch. What keeps me, and so many other young people, coming back year after year?
To try to find an answer to my question, I turn to where I spend most mornings and random afternoons: TikTok. While I do enjoy some of the celebrity content, what I love more are the normal people on the app. The college students who describe relatable professors or annoying students in class. The women in their mid-twenties who describe their realistic day-to-day routines. And the random videos, whether that’s people pranking their parents or dressing up in hoodies and sunglasses to cringely dance to some One Direction song that takes me back to middle school. Conversely, TikTok has become a place to sell goods, promote brands and sign musical artists. Essentially a space that is opposite of the celebrity, glamour and exclusivity of the Met Gala. An equal and (mostly) accessible platform for everyone to share their experiences. And this platform has been taken over by young people. So, I guess I’m still wondering what draws us to the Met Gala.
I found the answer to my question in quite an odd place: my frustration with the event. Why can’t there be some sort of inside look? Yes, there is a documentary and yes, the exclusivity helps with the fundraising, but can’t there be at least a glimpse or some photos of the Costume Institute exhibit on the day of its launch? Am I really asking for that much? Young people make up the next generation of designers who create the dresses, celebrities who wear the dresses and even editors-in-chief who organize the event. If we want to learn, we need access to the ins and outs of the event, to the pain-staking, but crazy inspirational, process of developing the theme and dresses. To the details of fundraising the event, how the funds are distributed, where and how the pieces in the exhibit are acquired. The way the guest list is chosen and more. I truly believe there is a way to make the Met Gala more accessible for all. It all started with two women who wanted to inspire designers across New York. Now that inspiration has become limited to a set of already privileged brands and people. There must be a way to expand the event’s audience while still garnering the same amount of buzz and fanfare.
After this rough year, the event is no longer being held on the iconic first Monday of May. Instead, it will occur in the middle of September. So, things have taken a step from tradition. Something different is happening with the event. On a larger scale, something different has happened in the world. We have gone through a pandemic. We have changed our lives drastically to accommodate new expectations and prioritize our health. With all this change, I guarantee there is a little more space to make the Met Gala more accessible to all of us outsiders.