The Met Gala is known to many people as the “Super Bowl” of the fashion industry. It is a huge fundraising event that takes place every year, and it starts the Costume Institute’s new exhibitions that will go on to shape the future movies of Hollywood. Since the 2020 Met Gala is postponed, what better way to fill its void than to take a look back at some of the best themes from previous galas?
Here are some all-time favorites:
2019: “Camp: Notes on Fashion”
This theme led many people to question, “What is camp?” The answer to this question isn’t as straightforward as some might like. The meaning of camp is based on your interpretation, which is what made the Met Gala so unpredictable as far as how the stars would dress up. But it generally implies a dedicated following of a specific interest, and belonging to its “camp” – which can, of course, still mean infinite things.
2016: “Manus and Machina: Fashion During the Age of Technology”
Technology was the forefront of the 2016 Met Gala. Stars like Emma Watson stepped onto the red carpet wearing a five-piece Calvin Klein Collection set that was made from recycled plastic bottles. The Met was focused on the division between machine-made and handmade fashion.
2014: “Charles James: Beyond Fashion”
This was one of the most anticipated themes in which the Met museum celebrated Charles James, a large figure in the fashion industry, but also one less known. No less than 100 of his biggest and most important designs were on display. The gala was filled with ball gowns that were large, sleek, and elegant.
Previous Met Gala Looks
The Met is a time when some of the top celebrities and stars step on the red carpet ready to deliver looks that are showstopping, creative, and coincide with the theme that year. Each year, people look forward to seeing how stars interpret each theme, which designers they work with for their looks, and what they end up dressing up in.