Curating Culture: The Met Gala and Thematic Event Design

Intro:

More than just an excuse to celebrate and mingle, events are a blank canvas for creative expression and narrative storytelling. Through their design and décor, events have the power to convey compelling themes and evoke immersive ambience.

In this article, we delve into the artistry of thematic event design using the Met Gala as a case study, exploring the global cultural trends and values that have shaped Hollywood through the decades.

Brief History:

The Met Gala, also known as the Costume Institute Gala, has a rich history dating back to its origins in 1948. Initially established as a fundraising event for the Costume Institute, which merged with the Museum of Metropolitan Art in 1946, the gala aimed to support the institute’s annual exhibits and showcase the world of fashion.

During the tenure of fashion publicist Diana Vreeland, the Met Gala truly evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Vreeland decided to link the annual gala to a museum exhibit, marking a departure from the gala’s previous non-themed format. Her first exhibit in 1973, “The World of Balenciaga,” set the stage for more elaborate and celebrity-oriented galas.

Over time, the guest list expanded to include renowned stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross, Elton John, Cher, Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli, Halston, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and Bianca Jagger, elevating the event’s profile and making it a highlight in New York City’s fundraising calendar.

Today, the Met Gala continues to thrive as one of the city’s most significant fundraising benefits, having raised over $175 million for the Costume Institute, and remains a highly anticipated annual gathering, attracting prominent figures from the fashion industry and New York society alike.

2006 “AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion”

The 2006 Met Gala theme, “AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion,” embraced the influence of British pop culture, encompassing music, films, and television, which had significantly shaped American entertainment during that era.

Moreover, the focus on “tradition” allowed for a captivating exploration of historical references, skillfully reimagined through modern lenses — a trend mirroring the fashion and entertainment scene’s penchant for blending vintage styles with contemporary flair.

Event designer David Monn transformed the venue into an enchanting English garden, adorned with lush grass, apple-tree hedges, 35,000 daffodils, and 12,000 hyacinths, capturing the essence of British heritage.

The event also celebrated renowned figures such as British punk icon Johnny Rotten and visionary designer Vivienne Westwood, who dressed the Sex Pistols in the ’70s, embodying the rebellious spirit that resonated with both British and American cultures.

2007 “Poiret: King of Fashion”

The 2007 Met Gala, “Poiret: King of Fashion,” paid homage to the visionary French designer Paul Poiret and his revolutionary impact on the fashion industry during the early 20th century.

Poiret’s artistic approach to fashion, which celebrated individuality and self-expression, resonated with the celebrities and fashion enthusiasts in this era, who embraced bold and unique fashion as a means of expressing their personalities and standing out from the crowd.

The remarkable designs of Raúl Ávila, who adorned the Met Gala with an 18-foot-tall birdcage housing live peacocks in the Great Hall, symbolized the event’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity and spectacle. Prints inspired by Paul Poiret’s iconic work were showcased prominently, capturing the colorful essence of his artistic legacy.

2012 “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations”

The 2012 Met Gala, “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations,” brought to light the powerful influence of female fashion designers Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, both trailblazers known for challenging conventions within the industry.

The theme of the gala celebrated the pivotal role of women in shaping the fashion world, echoing the prevailing sentiments of female empowerment and gender equality that defined Hollywood during the 2010s.

The Met itself was adorned with bright-red glasses gracing the tables and banquettes upholstered in Schiaparelli’s iconic shocking pink, paying homage to her unmistakable signature style and imbuing the event with a feeling of emboldened femininity.

Notable figures like Lana Del Rey, Carey Mulligan, Beyoncé, Florence Welch, and Kristen Stewart were among the gala’s best-dressed, representing the continued impact of female creativity and empowerment in the fashion and entertainment spheres.

2015 “China: Through the Looking Glass”

In 2015, the Met Gala dazzled the world with its theme “China: Through the Looking Glass,” an exploration of the influence of Chinese art, culture, and aesthetics on Western fashion.

During the 2010s, the fashion industry witnessed a notable push for greater diversity and representation, with a rising call for inclusive runways and red carpets. The gala’s focus on Chinese culture allowed for a powerful celebration of diversity in fashion, recognizing the valuable contributions of designers and artists from different cultural backgrounds.

The event’s exhibition, curated by Andrew Bolton, mesmerized a staggering 815,992 visitors — a testament to its far-reaching influence. The ingenious event design, orchestrated by Raúl Ávila, featured a ginger jar embellished with 250,000 roses. Under the reign of Wintour as chair of the Gala, table settings embraced whimsy and creativity, with chairs and plates reflecting the delicate intricacy of Chinese design.

The gala attracted an array of stars, with Rihanna stealing the show in her Guo Pei yellow gown, and other luminaries like Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, Fan Bingbing, and Karen Elson adding to the event’s splendor, embodying the enchanting fusion of Chinese aesthetics and Western glamor.

2018 “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”

In 2018, the Met Gala took on the theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” delving into the intersection of fashion with religious art and iconography, especially within the context of Catholicism.

The gala celebrated the creative dynamism between tradition and modernity, as designers masterfully reinterpreted religious symbols and garments into contemporary fashion, mirroring the 2010s’ fascination with blending historical and cultural elements with modern aesthetics. This intriguing fusion also encouraged collaboration between the realms of fashion and art, with designers drawing inspiration from religious artworks and architectural elements.

The remarkable event design by Raúl Ávila featured an awe-inspiring rose recreation of a papal crown, capturing the romantic and larger-than-life influence of Catholicism on American culture. The grand staircase of the Met illuminated with thousands of candles, casting an ethereal glow upon the gala, adding to its celestial allure.

Among the gala’s best-dressed were Jared Leto, Rihanna, Chadwick Boseman, Cardi B, Blake Lively, and Ariana Grande, embodying the enchanting essence of “Heavenly Bodies,” and affirming the Gala’s influence on the fashion and entertainment world.

2019 “Camp: Notes on Fashion”

The 2019 Met Gala, “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” celebrated the essence of “camp” in fashion and art, drawing inspiration from Susan Sontag’s defining essay. Embracing self-expression, irony, and extravagance, the Gala resonated with the era’s penchant for using fashion as a medium of self-awareness and humor.

Event designer Raúl Ávila crafted an astonishing 25-foot tall flamboyant flamingo centerpiece adorned with 30,000 flowers, a true emblem of the theme’s flamboyance. The Gala’s decor showcased the seamless connection between fashion and theme, with tablescapes adorned with bamboo flatware, feather lampshades, floral plates, and shocking pink tablecloths, capturing the essence of “camp” with every meticulously designed detail.

Bold and whimsical looks with a touch of irreverence graced the red carpet. Iconic stars like Lady Gaga and Billy Porter etched their names in history with show-stopping entrances, wearing multiple breathtaking outfits designed by Brandon Maxwell and The Blonds, respectively.

2022 “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” aka “Gilded Glamour”

The 2022 Met Gala, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” aptly known as “Gilded Glamour,” pays homage to the rich history and cultural influences that have shaped American fashion. The event offered an immersive exploration of how American designers utilize fashion as a medium for expressing cultural, political, and social ideas, a reflection of the transformative (if not volatile) times of the early 2020s.

The gala captured the essence of the Gilded Age from 1870 to 1900 by featuring tables adorned with linens inspired by American textile artist Elizabeth Jeffries’ embroidery, blue-and-white floral china, and gold-tipped silverware. The event design further embraced a sense of nostalgia by showcasing furnishings reminiscent of scenes from a Beatrix Potter book, complete with blush plush sofa seating, mismatched chairs, bamboo utensils, and mint green floral tablecloths.

Celebrity guests like Lizzo, Janelle Monáe, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda graced the event, dining on plates adorned with vintage motifs curated by Johnson Hartig of Libertine.

Summary:

The Met Gala’s commitment to exploring history and culture through thematic event design continues to inspire event planners (like us!) each year.

We hope this article will provide you with plenty of ideas on how to curate an immersive experience for the guests of your next event by telling a story through theme and décor.