Memorable moments happen when the hottest figures of the entertainment industry get together for the Met Gala, one of the biggest social events in the calendar, often called the Oscars of the East Coast.

Donald Trump proposed to Melania Trump during the 2004 Gala, Solange Knowles and Jay-Z got into an elevator fight in 2014, and Princess Diana of Wales attended the 1996 Met Gala. These are just a few examples of what has happened in the past and was talked about for days after the event.

The Gala happens in New York City, and has a different theme each year.

This year's theme was “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between."

Ms. Kawakubo is only the second living designer to be honored with a single show at the Met, Yves Saint Laurent was the first one in 1983. The Japanese designer is often referenced to as one of the most influential fashion figures of the 20th century.

Met Gala history

The history of the Met Gala is vast and unique, as the event itself. The first gala took place in 1948, started by the publicist Eleanor Lambert, with the purpose of serving as a fundraiser that benefits the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute

The fashion department of the Met is the only curatorial department that has to fund itself. It marks the opening of the annual fashion exhibit that is available to the public a few days after the event.

Pricey tickets

The cost of such events multiply every year. Tickets this year were $30,000 apiece, with an A-list of guests hitting 600 people and tables going for around $275,000 each. A record breaking $12 million was raised at the 2014 Gala.

Even so, just because you can pay the price for tickets does not mean you are able to attend.

The Gala is by invitation only, and Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of the American Vogue and event host, has the final saying regarding the guest list.

What happens inside the Met Gala?

“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” is the policy of the event after the red carpet is over. Social media is banned at all means and the celebrities attending are able to relax and enjoy themselves.

It is known that the hosts welcome each and every one of the guests at entrance, they tour the exhibition on the way to a cocktail party, followed by a dinner with some sort of entertainment. For example, last year’s dinner had a performance by the Weeknd, and it’s known that Rihanna performed with Kanye West at some point during the night in 2009.
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