As with every year, 2023’s Met Gala in New York City was full of celebrities donning multi-million dollar outfits. Many Black celebs decked out in designer looks paraded up the Metropolitan Museum’s massive steps this year, including Cardi B, Teyana Taylor, Lizzo, Kerry Washington, Diddy and Yung Miami, Rhianna and A$AP Rocky, Yara Shahidi, Halle Bailey, Brittney Griner, La La Anthony, Doja Cat, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade, Keke Palmer, Ice Spice, Janelle Monae, among others.
While it may seem like a celeb fest, the Met Gala is an expensive fundraiser, with tickets reportedly costing a whopping $50,000 a year.
The spectacular event, live-streamed for all to see, is hosted by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, alongside some celebrity guest hosts, and is attended by an invited group of just 500 people.
There is a theme each year for attendees to dress, and this year’s theme was “Karl Lagerfeld: A line of beauty,” to honor the late designer who worked at fashion houses like Chanel, Fendi, Chloe, and Balmain. Largerfield died in 2019.
Who benefits from the money raised? The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Each year, the gala marks the debut of the Institute’s annual fashion exhibit. According to NBC Chicago, the gala brings in “eight-figure sums.”
The Institute houses a collection of more than 32,000 items representing seven centuries of fashion.
Who Pays?
Even if you get a coveted invite, you still have to cough up the ticket price, which was increased from $30,000 to $50,000 this year, The New York Post reported.
Celebrities, however, usually have their ticket price footed by the designer house they are wearing — after all, it is major publicity for the fashion houses when a celeb such as Rihanna wears one of their gowns. This year, the billionaire singer wore a stunning white Valentino gown and $25 million worth of Cartier gems.
It’s become much more costly to attend. The first Met Gala was in 1948, and tickets to the inaugural event were around $50.
Dressed to the Nines
Celebrities try to top the previous year’s best looks each year. But so far, the most expensive gown was worn by Kim Kardashian in 2022. Yes, her borrowed Marilyn Monroe gown was the most expensive. Monroe wore the delicate custom gown when she sang happy birthday to President John F. Kennedy in 1962. In 2016, the iconic dress sold at auction for $4.8 million.
50k better have unlimited food/drinks/ride/hotel and play money lol