Fashion’s biggest and most glamourous night out is back! While the Met has been quiet for the past year and a half, the familiar red carpet of the Met Gala will be rolled out once again down New York’s most iconic steps, marking the soirée’s long awaited return after its pandemic hiatus. It will look a little smaller this year, but the event will be nothing short of exciting.
From the new theme and co-chairs to the familiar faces that might make their appearance on the steps, here is everything we know so far about the 2021 Met Gala.
What is the Met Gala?
Usually held on the first Monday of May, the Met Gala or the Met Ball is an annual fundraising event for The Costume Institute under The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Each year, a theme for the Gala is announced in alignment with the Institute’s annual exhibition. As the invite-only affair requires thematic dressing, it promises a red carpet studded with the most creative and over-the-top looks worn by the biggest names in fashion and entertainment. Hence, it has made its name as one of the most important events on the annual fashion calendar.
When and where will it take place?
The Met Gala is scheduled to take place on September 13th 2021, and like any other year, it will be hosted at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
What is the theme this year?
The 2021 Met Gala will be all about Americana. Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator from The Costume Institute shared with Vogue that he felt it was time to re-examine American identity and fashion after seeing a myriad of creative responses from young American designers towards socio-political movements surrounding topics such as diversity, gender fluidity and sustainability over the past few years. ““I really do believe that American fashion is undergoing a renaissance”, he stated.
What is this year’s exhibition?
The Costume Institute will present a two-part exhibit that spans across 2021 and 2022. The first exhibit, titled “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”, is scheduled to open on September 18 2021 at the Anna Wintour Costume Center in time for the Costume Institute’s 75th anniversary. The latter part, named “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”, will open on May 5th 2022 in the museum’s American Wing. Both exhibitions will remain on display until September 5th 2022.
Who will be this year’s honorary chairs and co-chairs?
Timothée Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman, and Naomi Osaka — a new generation of leaders across American cinema, music, literature and sports — have been tapped as co-chairs for the evening, becoming the youngest co-chairs to ever host the event in Met Gala history. Giants in fashion and technology Anna Wintour, Tom Ford, and Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri will serve as the honorary chairs.
While Chalamet, Eilish, Gorman and Osaka are emblematic in their own fields, each of them have also made their mark in fashion. After starring in Call Me By Your Name, Chalamet (who, by the way, doesn’t have a stylist) has brought a number of avant-garde labels into the spotlight through his everyday street style, and has been named “the most influential man in fashion” in 2019 by Vogue. Similarly, Eilish is known for her eccentric aesthetic that matches her innovative work in music, and has set herself apart from other young female pop artists with her dark, whimsical style.
American Youth Poet Laureate Gorman captured the world’s attention when she performed original poem The Hill We Climb in her Prada yellow coat and scarlet satin headband at Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony, and has since landed an IMG model contract. Osaka, always spotted in striking colourful pieces on and off court, is the new face of Louis Vuitton and has graced the July 2021 digital cover of Vogue Hong Kong.
Who is invited to the Met Gala this year?
Part of the fun of waiting for the Met Gala is not knowing who will attend!
Familiar faces such as Beyoncé, Rhianna, and Lady Gaga will allegedly attend, alongside Gen-Z’s favourite social media personalities including YouTuber Emma Chamberlain.
Will there still be a red carpet?
Yes! While the iconic Met steps will look a bit emptier with COVID-19 safety protocols in place, expect anything (literally, anything) from outré star-spangled ensembles to classic suits and gowns handcrafted by homegrown fashion talents.
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