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What are they actually doing at the Met Gala? Event details

If you’re lucky enough to attend the Met Gala, there will be food, festivities… and opportunities to meet your heroes.

Dua Lipa, Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Margot Robbie pose for a photo at the 2023 Met Gala on May 1, 2023 in New York City
Source: Getty Images

Fashion’s biggest night has arrived. A-list stars are likely already excited for the 2024 Met Gala, which takes place on May 6, 2024. Each year, the Met Gala brings together stars, creatives and fashion industry leaders for an evening of glamor to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. And every year, those of us without invitations pore over photos from the red carpet. But what are they actually doing at the Met Gala?

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That’s a relevant question ahead of the 2024 edition of the event. This year’s theme is “The Garden of Time” – named after a 1962 short story of that name by JG Ballard – and the gala kicks off the museum’s exhibition “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” – an exhibition of hundreds of garments and accessories from around the world. four centuries.

Okay, let’s pretend we’ve been invited to the Met Gala and can afford a ticket, which this year costs $75,000. What happens after the red carpet?

What are they actually doing at the Met Gala?

What happens inside the Met Gala is secret and guests “must adhere to the no-phone (and therefore no-social media) policy,” Fashion reports. But the magazine did have a few photographers attend and take photos of the 2023 Met Gala, so you can see some photos from that year’s event.

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An interior view of the 2023 Met Gala on May 1, 2023 in New York City
Source: Getty Images

As for the evening’s activities, Met Gala guests explore that year’s Costume Institute exhibit, sit down for dinner, and watch a high-profile performance. Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Madonna and Cher have performed at previous Met Galas, according to the BBC CBS News.

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Photos from the 2023 gala show Lizzo rocked a glittering bodysuit and thigh-high boots as she stood on a table for her performance. She sang ‘Good as Hell’ and ‘Truth Hurts’. Lizzo and Irish flautist Sir James Galway teamed up for a flute rendition of “Flight of the Bumblebee” for that year’s event, according to Business insider.

But beyond the fashion, food and festivities, the real draw for many guests is the chance to interact with the ultra-famous. “It’s fun to meet the five people you’ve always wanted to meet in your life,” said Marcus Wainwright, co-founder of Rag & Bone. The New York Times in 2016. “It kind of gives you permission because you came in through the front door.”

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You can get a sense of the Met Gala from ‘Ocean’s 8.’

For the climactic heist in the 2018 film Ocean 8director Gary Ross and his team recreated the Met Gala, filming some scenes on a soundstage and some in the museum itself.

It all happened “very in conjunction with Fashion and the Met,” as Gary related Slate. “I realized early on that this had to be a collaboration because they’re giving us something they created and finally giving the world an inside look.”

The filmmaker added: “It had to be authentic and something they could feel comfortable with. We had many encounters with Fashion. (Editor-in-chief) Anna (Wintour) signed off on what we were doing and was incredibly friendly. Eaddy Kiernan, who plays Anna’s assistant in the film, is actually the person planning the real Met ball.

So yes, Ocean 8 Perhaps the closest any of us will get to the real deal. And admission doesn’t cost $75,000!