Some of the most renowned personalities globally must adhere to some unusual guidelines if they wish to enter the Met Gala.
The event is a high-profile affair in the fashion world, drawing Hollywood’s elite to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, showcasing their finest attire.
This year, the theme is ‘Black dandyism,’ in conjunction with the Costume Institute’s exhibition ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,’ which will run from May 10 to October 26.
While the dress code offers some flexibility, encouraging guests to make it “Tailored for You” with ample room for interpretation, especially in menswear, attending the event comes with strict regulations.
Here are five of the most peculiar rules attendees must follow:
If you’re under 18, unfortunately, you won’t be able to attend.
This rule was implemented in 2018, with the theme ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’ that year.
A spokesperson for the Met Gala explained that the age restriction ensures the event remains suitable for adult attendees, noting it is not appropriate for those under 18.
Despite the numerous photos taken at the Met Gala, showcasing the glamorous attire, celebrities are prohibited from taking personal selfies, as this practice is banned.
Anna Wintour, Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief, introduced this ban in 2015 to maintain the exclusivity of the Met Gala’s proceedings.
“The use of phones for photography and social media will not be permitted inside the gala,” a notice from Wintour stated, according to The Independent.
However, some individuals have defied this rule, discreetly capturing selfies in private areas which occasionally surface on social media.
Additionally, smoking is strictly prohibited at the event, which might not be surprising for today’s audience.
This rule was emphasized after several celebrities, including Bella Hadid, Dakota Johnson, and Marc Jacobs, were caught smoking in the bathrooms during the 2017 event. Attendees were reminded the following year that smoking indoors is illegal.
It’s important to note that indoor smoking in New York City has been banned since 2003, and prior invitations to the event have highlighted this prohibition.
Certain foods are also off-limits at the event, primarily to avoid any potential mishaps on the red carpet.
The New York Post notes that items like parsley pose a threat if they become lodged in teeth before photos are taken.
Onions and garlic are also avoided to prevent unpleasant breath, along with dishes prone to spilling onto attire.
If you find yourself seated next to someone you’d rather avoid, you’re out of luck. The seating arrangements are non-negotiable.
These arrangements are meticulously planned, involving significant “power-brokering” in advance.
“A lot of thought goes into who sits next to who, if they sat together last year, if they’ve sat next to each other at other events, so much goes into it, it’s shocking,” Sylvana Ward Durrett, director of special projects at Vogue, said in the 2016 documentary The First Monday in May.
…Quite a lot of rules to follow, especially considering the substantial cost of attending!