Event Designer Talks About Met Gala No-Shows and Shares Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Met Gala: Fashion’s Most Exclusive Event Set for May
The Met Gala, regarded as fashion’s premier night, will take place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on the first Monday in May. This highly anticipated fundraiser for the Costume Institute features an exclusive guest list and a dinner accompanied by an elaborate theme. However, the event’s inner workings remain largely shrouded in mystery, primarily due to its renowned no-phone policy.
Each year, the Met Gala adopts a specific theme brought to life by event designer Raúl Ávila and his dedicated team. In an exclusive interview, Ávila shared insights on the preparations leading up to the May 4 gala. “I have around 300 people working with me, and the hardest thing today is finding people who genuinely like this kind of job,” he said. He emphasized the honor of his invitation, which comes from years of collaboration and a personal relationship with Anna Wintour, the event’s long-time organizer.
While Ávila manages the venue design, leading fashion houses create extravagant outfits aligned with the chosen theme. Wintour plays a crucial role by approving every ensemble, ensuring attendees reflect the gala’s artistic vision. "They don’t come to her because they think that she’s going to say something bad. She’s just going to guide the person to the best of her knowledge. She’s Anna Wintour," Ávila remarked. He noted that Wintour is pleased to provide input, aiming to help each guest "look their best" on the iconic red carpet.
Ávila often reviews sketches and designs from various designers, contributing feedback on fabrics, colors, and accessories. "There’s a lot of sketching that most of the designers send to the office, and I’ve seen those sketches," he explained, describing the process as collaborative.
Regarding attendance, Ávila indicated that guests communicate any conflicts promptly, ensuring the guest list remains intact. “If they cannot make it, they will say immediately, ‘I’m so sorry, but this year I won’t be able to go,’” he said.
The upcoming Met Gala will embrace the theme of "Costume Art," with a dress code highlighting "Fashion Is Art." Ávila elaborated, explaining that the theme focuses on the artistic representation of the human form. "It’s truly about studying the form of the human body in a very artistic way, and how to place clothing on the different parts of the human body," he stated, underscoring the diverse physiques of attendees.
For an entire year, Ávila meticulously plans each aspect of the gala’s design to ensure a striking representation of its theme. “This year, [Anna] told me, ‘I want you to focus on the gardens of northern Italy,’” Ávila mentioned, revealing his inspiration from a recent trip to Italy.
As guests ascend the museum’s iconic staircase, they will be welcomed into a world where Ávila’s creative vision and the Costume Institute exhibit are unveiled. He noted that attendees who arrive in elaborate outfits often change into something more manageable for dinner, allowing them to enjoy the evening comfortably. "Those guests who arrive in outfits they can barely move in, or with things on their heads, or enormous trains? They change in the Great Hall," he explained.
As anticipation builds for this year’s Met Gala, the careful curation of both the guest list and the thematic designs promises a spectacular evening showcasing creativity and artistry in the world of fashion.
