Met Gala co-chairs for this year’s event have been announced!! And they’re some of the biggest names in modern culture.
It’s the quirkiest event of the year. Annually, on the first Monday of May, celebrities and the social elite appear at the Met dressed in whimsical garb. Their attire represents a theme, and sometimes reflects a statement or issue they feel passionate about. The outfit also often exudes the creative expression of the designer.
But what exactly is the Met Gala?
History
The Met Gala, originally referred to as The Costume Institute Benefit, first began in 1948. Publicist Eleanor Lambert sought to raise money for the then newly established Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The occasion also celebrated the opening of the institute’s exhibit.
During the 1970s Diana Vreeland became the institute’s consultant and the event began to take on attributes recognized in current day festivities. More high-profile guests started attending and themes were introduced during this period.
To this day, the festivities continue to be an event for charity, celebrating the Costume Institute’s annual exhibit. Funds are raised for the Metropolitan Museum of Art (or ‘the Met’) with the theme matching the exhibit’s showcase.
2020 and Beyond
However in 2020 the gala was cancelled due to the global pandemic. The gala was also postponed in 2021 due to the lingering impacts of the pandemic.
New co-chairs for the event have recently been announced though. This year, Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka will be co-chairs for the event.
Timothee Chalamet is an American actor. His credits include Elio in Call Me by Your Name, Henry V in The King, and Laurie in Little Women. Vogue named him most influential man in fashion in 2019. GQ also ranked him the best dressed man in the world in 2020.
Billie Eilish is an American singer and songwriter. Some of her compositions include ‘Bad Guy’ and ‘When the Party’s Over’. Recently, the young artist appeared on the cover of British Vogue’s June 2021 issue.
Amanda Gorman is an American poet and activist. The themes of her work focus on oppression, feminism and race. In 2021, she read her poem ‘The Hill that we Climb’ at U.S. president Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Naomi Osaka is a Japanese singles-tennis champion. The Women’s Tennis Association had ranked her at number 1 for a number of weeks. First from January 28 to June 23 2019, then from August 12 to September 8 in 2019.
Theme
‘American Independence’ was revealed to be this year’s theme. This is to tie in with the Costume Institute’s exhibit ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’.
The event is expected to take place on the 13th of September 2021.
Let us know your favourite Met Gala moments in the comments down below.
Subscribe to FIB’s Weekly Alchemy Report for your weekly dose of music, fashion and pop culture news!