Lugano – The Met Gala, one of the world’s biggest nights in fashion, is set to welcome a carefully selected group of guests on May 4.

Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the event is known for its glamorous red carpet and headline-making fashion, with each attendee required to follow a detailed and highly controlled set of rules.

Invitation only

Known for its exclusivity, the Met Gala can only be attended by invitation.

The guest list is personally overseen by the event’s primary organiser, Anna Wintour, who carefully selects attendees from across fashion, film, music, and business. 

Even if individuals or brands purchase a table, every guest must still receive final approval, ensuring the event maintains a specific image and balance of personalities.

Tickets are extremely expensive & rarely paid by celebrities

Attending the Met Gala comes with a very high price tag. 

According to The New York Times, last year’s edition cost individuals around $75,000 (MAD 690,000) with tables reaching up to $350,000 (MAD 3.2 million).

However, most celebrities don’t pay for their tickets themselves. Instead, major fashion houses and brands purchase tables and invite stars to attend as their guests, often dressing them as part of a broader promotional collaboration. 

The dress code is mandatory

Each year’s theme is directly tied to the Costume Institute’s exhibition, and guests are expected to interpret it through their outfits.

While creativity is encouraged, ignoring the theme is considered a major misstep and often draws criticism and even results in attendees not being reinvited for future editions. 

Designers and celebrities typically collaborate closely for months to create looks that align with the concept while still making a statement on the red carpet.

This year’s exhibition theme is “Costume Art,” with the official dress code set as “Fashion is Art.”

Seating is carefully planned

Seating arrangements are carefully organized in advance, often taking months to finalize. 

The goal is to create dynamic interactions between attendees, placing individuals from different industries together while also avoiding potential conflicts or awkward pairings.

Ahead of last year’s Met Gala, event planner Eaddy Kiernan told Vogue, “We try to make sure someone isn’t staring into the eyes of a former flame.”

Age restrictions & conduct rules

Only guests aged 18 and over are allowed to attend, reinforcing the event’s formal and professional nature. 

Attendees are expected to follow strict behavioral standards throughout the evening, reflecting the institution’s status and the event’s high-profile audience.

Certain foods are banned from the menu

The Met Gala doesn’t just control the guest list, it also places limits on what’s served. 

Ingredients like onions, garlic, and chives are avoided, largely because their strong flavors and lingering smells could affect the experience during the event.

Phones & social media are strongly discouraged

Despite being one of the most photographed events in the world, the experience inside the gala is intended to remain private.

Guests are discouraged from using their phones or posting on social media during the event, allowing attendees to focus on the exhibition, performances, and conversations.

This rule helps maintain the sense of exclusivity that defines the evening.

Smoking is strictly prohibited

Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the Met Gala venue. 

The rule applies to both traditional cigarettes and electronic devices and is enforced to protect the historic setting and the delicate costumes on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.