It was under the tenure of US fashion editor Diana Vreeland in the 1970s that the event became more elaborate, with the introduction of themes spicing things up and the guestlist extending to cultural types such as Andy Warhol, as well as society figures like Jackie Kennedy. 'From 1948 until the 1970s, the goal was to look impeccable, embracing one's own style while celebrating American fashion on the storied steps of the Met,' says Tiffany. It has been through many twists and turns since. 'During the war, New Yorkers had to black out their windows and keep the lights off, so for the original Met Gala in 1948, Lambert created a 'Midnight Dinner' to let loose.' Why the super-rich love understated dressingĮven then, though, it was a chance to have some fun. The $50 tickets were sold to members of New York high society. More broadly, he adds, it was a way to 'raise the visibility of American fashion'. Eleanor Lambert, the publicist and 'godmother of fashion', launched the Met Gala 75 years ago in 1948 as a fundraiser for the new Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, John Tiffany, her former mentee and biographer, tells BBC Culture.

There are stunts, frocks the size of caravans and selfies that go on to be seen by millions of people all over the planet.īut it started more humbly. 'The first Monday in May' has come to be known as the night the fashion industry lets its hair well and truly down.

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