Ishita Singh ’23
EE Staff Writer
This year’s Met Gala was held on September 13, 2021 at the The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The featured theme was American Independence, and it was co-chaired by singer Billie Eilish, pro tennis player Naomi Osaka, actor Timmothie Chalamet, and poet Amanda Gorman. The return of the event proved to be extraordinary just like the outfits.
The usual date for the Met Gala is the first Monday in May but, due to Covid, it was postponed and was held instead during fashion month. As a result, the outfits were under more pressure to impress.
Usually only up to 500 – 600 people are invited to this exclusive event. The event is invite only and those who make the list are admitted because of the imprint they have made on society. It is a branding event held by Vogue Magazine and organized by Anna Wintour, Vogue editor-in-chief and chairwoman of the Gala event since 1995. She oversees the benefit committee and the guest list. The entrance price for the Met Gala is a pricy $3,500, so typically the guests are wealthy.
The Met Gala is the fashion industry’s Oscars, and it brings together designers, models, and Hollywood celebrities who fight for media attention. It benefits the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, which is the only curatorial department at the Met that is self-funded.
“We called the dress code this time — American independence,” said Vogue editor and organizer Anna Wintour in an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts. “And we really want people to have fun and enjoy dressing up again”.
Some outfits in the Met Gala were definitely breathtaking while others you would simply stare at and question.
The 2021 Met Gala might have been a little different due to Covid but many people tried to make it special. It was definitely a great return for Met Gala as well as an amazing time for many celebrities to show off their fashion skills.