What is the Met Gala Anyway?

Chances are, if you are watching TV, reading any news online or a newspaper today or tomorrow, you well definitely hear about the Met Gala. For the next few weeks, most magazines will also feature coverage of tonight's gala. Well, what is it anyway, and why is it so hard to get an invite?!?!
The Met Gala, formerly know as the Costume Institution Gala, is an annual fund raiser to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. The Met Gala marks the grand opening of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit. This year, the exhibit is "China Through the Looking Glass", and it will run May 7th - August 16th.
Many consider the Met Gala to be the most exclusive social event in New York City. It is definitely one of the largest fund raisers. In 2013, 9 million dollars was raised, and in 2014, 12 million dollars was raised.

Guests are expected to dress formally in the theme of the evening. Tonight's theme is "Chinese Whispers: Tales of the East in Art, Film, and Fashion". Above is Karolina Kurkova last year, in Marchesa. Many considered Karolina to be the evening's best dressed attendee. (Photo courtesy of US Magazine.)

Anna Wintour, editor and chief of Vogue, has been a chair since 1995. She oversees the benefit and decides who gets an invitation. In previous years, the guest list has include 650 people. Recently, though, Anna has decided to reduce the number invited to 350.

Anna Wintour at the 2014 Met Gala in Chanel. (Photo courtesy of the New York Times.)

 

There are also annual chairs and co-chairs for the day. In 2014, Aeirn Lauder was chair, and co- chairs were Bradley Cooper, Oscar de la Renta, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Jonathon Tisch.

There are a few individual tickets for purchase; in 2014 those tickets prices started at $25,000 a piece.

Who is expected to attend this evening's Met Gala? Jennifer Lawernce, she is a co-chair. Also expected are Blake Lively, Kate Hudson, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, Rihanna, Karlie Kloss, and Kendall Jenner, just to name a few.

Below are some beautiful pictures from the 2014 Met Gala.

 

Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta  (Photo courtesy of Emirates 247.com)

Sean Penn and Charlize Theron in Dior

 

Cara Delevingne, Stella McCartney, Kate Bosworth, and Reese Witherspoon in who else but -

 Stella McCartney.

 

In my opinion, the most beautiful couple of the evening...

Lauren Bush Lauren and David Lauren both in who else but-

Ralph Lauren

 

*** A red carpet live stream is usually available online via Metropolitan Museum of Art and also Vogue***