The May 2 evening is actually the second star-studded gala
after the annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume
Institute was split during the pandemic. It celebrates “In America: An
Anthology of Fashion,” the second part of a major two-part exhibition at the
museum exploring the roots of American fashion.
The first part opened in September along with the first
pared-down “mini-gala” as the Costume Institute struggled with pandemic
restrictions, like every other arts institution. Tom Ford, Adam Mosseri and
Anna Wintour will continue their roles as honorary co-chairs for the second
event.
Hollywood will have a strong presence at the May gala — and
not only on the red carpet. A group of top film directors including King, Sofia
Coppola, Martin Scorsese and last year’s Oscar winner Chloé Zhao will be a key
part of the exhibit launching the gala.
Star curator Andrew Bolton said eight directors will create
what he called “cinematic vignettes” in the period rooms of the American Wing
of the museum. The other four are Ford, the celebrated fashion designer who’s
also a director, Janicza Bravo, Julie Dash and Autumn de Wilde.
The first part of the exhibition will remain on display in
the rooms of the Anna Wintour Costume Center, along with the second part, until
Sept. 5. More than half the pieces in the opening exhibition will be rotated
out and garments from designers not yet feature will go on display.
The Met Gala is a huge money-maker for the museum, and
provides the Costume Institute with its main source of funding. It’s also one
of the biggest nights in fashion as celebrity guests often dress to the theme
of the exhibition each year. -AP