After two long years, celebrities and glitterati finally descended on the red carpet for the long awaited 2021 Met Gala. As all eyes turned to fashion’s biggest night, we were treated to the sight of outfits ranging from classic silhouettes to bold social justice statements, all in interpretation of the theme, ‘In America’.
The ultra-glamorous fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has been a staple since 1948, drawing Hollywood stars, creatives and heads of industry. This year, however, those watching will notice the event is run differently from what most are used to.
From the switching around of dates, to the size of the guest list to the historical theme, keep reading to find out what’s new about this year’s Met Gala.
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It’s hosted in September instead of May
Traditionally, the Met Gala is held on the first Monday of May every year. But as we all know far too well, the global Covid-19 pandemic has thrown everyone for a loop, along with all our scheduled plans and events. The Met Gala, as distinguished as it may be, was not immune to these unexpected new circumstances. In March 2020, the event’s postponement was announced and then eventually cancelled around mid-May.
Amidst all the uncertainty, there ended up being no Met Gala at all during the year 2020, nor was there one in May this year. However, things are looking up as the museum finally shifts back into gear for the return of fashion’s biggest night in September. As a result, the special fall date for this year’s Met Gala means it also acts as a grand topping-off to New York Fashion Week.
It’s a two-part event
In an effort to make up for lost time, there will be another Met Gala only a few short months after September’s, turning the occasion into a two-part celebration. To be held on May 2, 2022, the next Met Gala will once and for all put the annual event right back on schedule, in keeping with the traditional date.
“The Met has endured much in its 150 years and today continues as a beacon of hope for the future. This museum is also a profound reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the power of art to offer comfort, inspiration, and community,” the museum’s president, Daniel H. Weiss, said in a statement.
The theme is all about America
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For both the September and May Met Galas, the celebrations will revolve around the theme of American fashion, with the first announced as ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’ and the second, ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’. This year’s exhibition aims to establish ‘a modern vocabulary of American fashion based on its expressive qualities,’ and focuses on contemporary designers over the generations who have strongly influenced the American segment of the industry.
Part two’s gala will be centred on the exhibition, ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’, which will feature work from notable American film directors that explores the role of fashion in building America’s identity, narrating American life from the political to the cultural to the aesthetic.
The co-host list is full of bright young talents
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While the ill-fated Met Gala 2020 was set to be co-chaired by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Meryl Streep, Emma Stone, Nicolas Ghesquière, this year’s co-chair list features some younger but no less influential names: Timothée Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Naomi Osaka, and Amanda Gorman.
From Chalamet’s experimental mix of streetwear and cutting edge labels on the red carpet, to Gorman’s presidential inauguration moment in her unforgettable yellow coat, each co-chair is celebrated for making their mark on fashion in novel ways. The line-up of young trailblazers reflects the Met Gala’s push for younger audiences, setting the event apart as one that will continue to press forward to the future and remain relevant through the years.
It’s a more intimate occasion
With a reported USD $35,000 per person entry fee, it’s safe to say the star-studded Met Gala is an exclusive affair, only accessible to the very top echelon of the fashionable society. This year, the guestlist became even smaller due to the restrictions from the pandemic. Only one-third of the usual number of attendees participated in the socially distanced event.
In addition, strict adherence to the Covid protocols meant those invited were required to wear masks and provide proof of vaccination. Prior to this, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) declared a vaccine mandate for New York Fashion Week which extended to all guests, staff members and individuals.
Feature Photo: Vogue
