Monday 5 2025 highlights a moment to be remembered by the fashionistas not only in the Hollywood scene but African wise. The Met Gala 2025 was properly executed with the theme being: Tailoring Black Style. The theme underscores not just the existence of African fashion but the influence it has towards the global scene.
Every first Monday of may commands the presence of a vast A-list celebrities including actors, models, musicians and designers from different parts of the globe.The gala takes place at the Metropolitan museum of art located at the heart of New York city. The aim being exhibiting artistic achievements fashion wise, the event main target is to raise funds for the Metropolitan museum every year. This year few African celebrities were spotted. This includes : Ayrra star, Tems, Burna boy and Tyla just to mention a few. But how comes? What of celebrities in Tanzania or Kenya?Well the gala proceedings are quite interesting but daunting, hang around as I fill you in.
Dark sides of the Met Gala
The Met Gala was established in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert as a fundraiser for the newly founded Costume Institute to mark the opening of its annual exhibit. Today it’s being chaired by British editor, Anne Wintour.
Wintour is symbolically the goddess of the event without her intervention the gala wouldn’t be as functional. Her job is to handpick guests from the list of designers, artists, actors and even athletes. However, being invited doesn’t guarantee a free gate pass. Any individual invited gets their way in through a 75,000 dollar ticket, approximately Ksh 968,000
Assuming one isn’t as popular but still wanted to buy their way in, they’d have to pass the criteria of being recognized by Wintour and have the right affluence for that. Many celebrities get invited while others opt-out due to how expensive it is. However the case people will still line up with hundreds of dollars but if Wintour doesn’t concede none can make their way in.
According to one interview made in 2017 , an attendee of the gala by the name Cameron silver was asked one golden question. “What if you’re not a celebrity or any popular person but you still manage to get your way in, will people still celebrate your presence?” In accordance to Cameron, the answer is no. “Walking those stairs as a non celebrity is one of the demeaning things,” he said “I’ve seen so many guys walk up those stairs with their outfits looking amazing but they aren’t recognizable enough for the paparazzi to even care.”
So, before you dream of walking those Met Gala steps, ask yourself : is your ego Met-ready? Because in that room, magic, money and influence aren’t just accessories — they are the dress code.
- The Wonders Of The Met Gala - May 14, 2025