The 2022 theme is a sequel to last year’s exhibit.
The annual Met Gala, also known as fashion’s biggest night, is happening on May 2 (May 3 in the Philippines). Right on schedule, the event is on the first Monday of May since it started in 1995.
Only off-schedule last year, due to COVID (except in 2020, when the ball was canceled completely), the 2022 Gala is back with the theme “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.”
RELATED READ: The First Monday In May: Our Favorite Met Gala Looks Over The Years
Part two
If that seems familiar, it’s because the theme is the second installation of the Met’s curator in charge of the Costume Institute, Andrew Bolton’s exhibit honoring American fashion. Last year, the Gala was titled “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.”
With last year’s similar theme, celebrities wore looks inspired by American figures and references. Billie Eilish wore a Marilyn Monroe-inspired Oscar de la Renta gown, while Gigi Hadid channeled Jessica Rabbit in Prada.
Grimes, who appeared in many best-dressed lists, wore Iris Van Herpen in a look she described as “Dune-Esque”—referring to Frank Herbert’s American sci-fi novel Dune.
Past themes have included: a tribute to Alexander McQueen (2011), fashion in the age of technology (2016), and religious iconography (2018).
Closer look
According to Bolton, what makes the new exhibit different is the closer look into the US’ contributions to fashion. While Lexicon offered an expansive view, Anthology will be more specific.
“The stories really reflect the evolution of American style, but they also explore the work of individual tailors, dress-makers, and designers,” Bolton told Vogue.
“What’s exciting for me is that some of the names will be very familiar to students of fashion like Charles James, Halston, and Oscar de la Renta, but a lot of the other names really have been forgotten, overlooked, or relegated into the footnotes of fashion history.”
He adds that the “main intention” of the annual exhibit is to spotlight these talents, of which many are women.
Where to watch
This year’s sting of co-chairs, who help with event planning, are actress Regina King, Hamilton creator Lin Manuel Miranda, and actor couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.
In 2021, Gen Z trendsetters were enlisted to co-chair, namely Billie Eilish, Timothée Chalamet, tennis star Naomi Osaka, and American poet Amanda Gorman.
While we can expect the Anna Wintour-approved guest list to include regulars like Rihanna and Lady Gaga—we can never be too sure who makes each year’s roster.
To see who arrives (or doesn’t), you can live stream the red carpet through Vogue’s platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. This year, it’s hosted by Vogue editor at large Hamish Bowles, Vanessa Hudgens, and actor and TV personality La La Anthony.
In the Philippines, the stream will begin at 6 A.M. on May 3.
Banner photo from @metmuseum on Instagram.
