Mind-Boggling Facts About the Met Gala

The first Monday in May hosts the party of the year in the fashion world.

Dubbed the Oscars of the East, the annual Met Gala was held on May 7, themed “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” to celebrate the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s newest exhibition at the Costume Institute.

With 180 pieces on display, featuring high-end, expensive designers from Versace and Valentino to Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel, the exhibition focuses on the “dialogue between fashion and the masterworks of religious art.”

Helmed by Vogue’s Anna Wintour (and co-chaired this year by Rihanna, Donatella Versace, and Amal Clooney), the Met Gala is known for its best-dressed and worst-dressed celebrities, socialites, and businesspeople who walk the red carpet in their interpretation of the theme.

Anyone who is anyone is there, at least according to Wintour’s handpicked and closely scrutinized guest list.

And this year’s guests didn’t disappoint, from Rihanna’s pope-inspired ensemble dripping in diamonds to Blake Lively walking the red carpet in $2 million worth of jewelry.

The cost to make an appearance during fashion’s biggest night out is a steep one, and the cost to make the event happen is even bigger. For $30,000 a ticket, those who passed Wintour’s approval can attend the $3.5 million event.

And that’s just the beginning of all the money that goes into — and comes out of — what André Leon Talley refers to as “the Super Bowl of fashion.”

Scroll down to see all the extravagant details behind the Met Gala, compiled by Business Insider

It reportedly costs $3.5 million to produce the Met Gala.

Tickets for the Met Gala reportedly cost $30,000 — that’s enough to put a family of four over the poverty line. Some sources say tickets can even cost up to $50,000.

Tables go for $275,000, but can go for up to $500,000. They cost even more if they’re paid for by sponsors. Yahoo sponsored the Met Gala 2015 and reportedly paid $3 million for two tables.

Some celebrities attend the Met Gala for free if they’re sitting at a table a brand paid for and are lent dresses by fashion designers.

A designer gown for the Met Gala can range anywhere from $4,495 to $35,610.

At the Met Gala 2018, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” Blake Lively paired $5 press-on nails with an extravagant, queenly Versace gown that took 600 hours to make and $2 million worth of Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

Some designers auction off their outfits worn by celebrities for a good cause. Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing is auctioning off all the looks he created for the Met Gala 2018, donating the proceeds to RED to fight against AIDS. Among those he dressed are J.Lo, Alex Rodriguez, and Trevor Noah. The bidding prices range from $1,500 to $5,000.

An A-lister needs a place to get ready for the Met ball. A room at the Carlyle, a popular spot for gala attendees, costs between $820 and $910. Rooms at the Mark, another nearby hotel, cost between $1,195 and $1,250.

There’s also the night’s talent. Katy Perry, who can charge about $1.5 million for an appearance, performed at the Met Gala 2017.

The Vatican loaned 40 rare items of religious significance to the Costume Institute for the Met Gala 2018, including a papal tiara featuring 18,000 diamonds and pieces worn by Pope Benedict 14th. There’s no word on its value, but diamond jewelry owned by Pope Paul VI recently went on sale for $1.9 million.

Image Credit: Getty Images