Explained: What is Gilded Glamour and white-tie, the theme for 2022 Met Gala

It started in 1948 as a society midnight supper, and it wasn’t even at the Met. Fast forward 70-plus years, and the Met Gala is something totally different, one of the most photographed events in the world for its head-spinning red carpet — though the famous carpeted steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art aren’t always red. We’re talking Rihanna as a bejewelled pope. Zendaya as Cinderella with a light-up gown. Katy Perry as a chandelier morphing into a hamburger. Also: Beyoncé in her “naked dress.” Kim Kardashian in a face-covering bodysuit. Billy Porter as an Egyptian sun god, carried on a litter by six shirtless men. And Lady Gaga’s 16-minute striptease. Not to forget, the Met Gala is still a fundraiser — last year the evening earned more than a whopping $16.4 million for the Met’s Costume Institute. Let’s also not forget that it launches the annual spring fashion exhibit that brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the museum. But it’s the Met Gala carpet itself (now watchable for everyone, on livestream) that draws the world’s eyes, with the guest list strategically withheld until the last minute — a collection of stars from movies, music, fashion, sports, politics and elsewhere that probably makes for the highest celebrity wattage-per square foot of any party in the world. Herewith, is a primer for the 2022 Met gala, which will be on 2 May: Again, already? Yes, we just did this in the fall. The annual fundraiser for the Met’s Costume Institute is traditionally held the first Monday in May, but because of the pandemic, a postponed gala was held in September. [caption id=“attachment_10614031” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Billy Porter attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” exhibition on May 6, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)[/caption] Who’s hosting the 2022 Met Gala? This year’s hosts are Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. September’s slate of hosts included Timothée Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka. Of course, Vogue’s Anna Wintour is supervising the whole shebang as she has since the ’90s. Her fellow honorary co-chairs are designer Tom Ford and Instagram head Adam Mosseri. Is there a theme for the Met Gala?  Of course. The Met Gala theme for this year is “Gilded glamour, white-tie,” guests have been told. As usual, the sartorial theme comes from the exhibit the gala launches: “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” which is the second of star curator Andrew Bolton’s two-part show exploring the roots of American style. The theme is likely intended as a homage to American history, particularly that of the Gilded Age, which ran roughly from 1870 to 1900, reports Elle. This one will showcase some lesser-known designers, and also some top film directors, including Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, host King, and last year’s Oscar winner Chloé Zhao. [caption id=“attachment_10241361” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Barbadian singer Rihanna arrives for the 2021 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York. Photo: AFP[/caption] Does everyone follow the Met Gala theme? Not really. Some eschew it and just go for big and crazy. But expect some guests to have carefully researched the theme and to come in perfect sync with the exhibit. It was hard to beat the carpet, for example, when the theme was “Catholic imagination” and Rihanna came as the pope, Zendaya channelled Joan of Arc, and Perry navigated the crowd with a set of enormous angel wings. How Much do I have to pay for a Met Gala ticket? Wrong question. You cannot just “buy” a ticket. The right question is, IF I were famous or powerful and got invited, how much would it cost? If I got invited to the Met Gala, how much would it cost?  Well, you might not pay yourself. Generally, companies buy tables. A fashion label — Michael Kors, for example — would then host its desired celebrities or fashion muses. But each paid seat reportedly costs around $35,000, though some guests are invited for free. So who gets invited to the Met Gala?  This year, there will be 400 guests — similar to the September gala, and lower than pre-pandemic highs of 500-600. Trying to predict? Take out your pen and jot down some A-listers, the buzzier the better. Newly minted Oscar or Grammy winners, for example — or fashion favourites like Chalamet, who wore white Converse shoes last year. Do the same with pop music, sports, politics, fashion of course … and Broadway, a special favourite of Wintour’s (and remember, Miranda’s a host this year). Now, cross everyone off your list except the very top. At the Met Gala,  everybody’s A-list. Do we know who’s coming and who isn’t?  As we said, it’s secret. But reports slip out, often about who is not coming. Fashion favourite Zendaya has confirmed she has other plans. And Rihanna is about to give birth, so we’d assume she’ll skip, but then again, she’s Rihanna so let’s not assume anything. Deepika Padukone will also be attending the event with Louis Vuitton this year. The actress made her Met Gala debut in 2017. The anonymous fashion critique account Diet Sabya  said on its Instagram story, “LV is set to announce her as their global brand ambassador in April end for which she shot in Spain after attending Time 100 impact award in Dubai.” However, an official announcement is yet to be made. What happens inside the Met Gala? Entering the museum, guests walk past an impossibly enormous flower arrangement in the lobby (one was over 250,000 white roses) and over to cocktails, often held in the airy Petrie Court. Or, they head to view the exhibit. Is it fun for everyone?  Occasionally, someone says no. Tina Fey, in a comic rant to David Letterman in 2015, described the gala as a “jerk parade” and said it included everyone you’d ever want to punch, if you had millions of arms. Amy Schumer said she felt awkward and left “earlier than should be allowed.” But most profess to having fun. Then there was Joan Collins, who arrived channelling her imperious Dynasty character, Alexis, in 2018, ready to have a blast, but seeking liquid sustenance. “I’m having a great time,” she told The Associated Press. “I’d be even better if I had a drink.” (With inputs from The Associated Press)