16:29, 01 May 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
The Met Gala is more than just a night of glittering gowns, jaw-dropping red carpet moments, and viral memes – it’s also one of the most powerful charity events in the fashion world.
Officially known as the Costume Institute Benefit, the Gala raises essential funds for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, supporting its exhibitions, acquisitions, and ongoing preservation of fashion history.
This year’s Met Gala is set to take place on Monday, 5th May 2025, at its iconic home, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The theme? “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. It's a celebration of tailoring, individuality, and the influence of Black dandyism in shaping style and identity through the decades.
Attending the Met Gala isn’t exactly a casual RSVP – it comes with a serious price tag. In 2024, individual tickets were reportedly priced at $75,000, while booking a full 10-seat table set donors back $350,000. That’s a whole lot of tulle and tailoring.
But all those funds go somewhere meaningful: the 2024 Gala raised an impressive $22 million for the museum’s Costume Institute.
Over the years, the Met Gala has increasingly become a platform for sustainability and activism in fashion. In 2023, Maya Penn, a 24-year-old climate activist and designer, wowed attendees with a custom Coachtopia gown made entirely from upcycled materials. It wasn’t just stylish – it was a statement about circular fashion and the future of sustainable design.
Designers like Stella McCartney, a pioneer of ethical luxury, and Gabriela Hearst, known for her low-waste production practices, have also brought green glamour to the Gala in recent years. Their presence signals a shift – not just in aesthetics, but in values.
While headlines often focus on who wore what, it’s worth remembering why they’re all there: to support fashion as an art form, and ensure it has a home at one of the world’s most respected museums.
The Costume Institute is the only department at the Met that must fund itself, meaning the Met Gala isn’t just a party — it’s its lifeline.
From the exhibition themes that spark global conversations about identity, race, gender, and history, to the behind-the-scenes work that preserves centuries of craftsmanship, the Gala’s charitable side is quietly changing the future of fashion scholarship.
The Met Gala may grab headlines for its fashion statements, but its real legacy lies in what it gives back. Every sequinned step on that red carpet helps sustain an institution that honours, studies, and elevates the art of getting dressed.
So yes, the outfits are jaw-dropping. But the generosity? That might just be the best look of all.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
The Virgil Abloh Foundation. This foundation is on a mission to empower young, underrepresented individuals through education, mentorship, and creative opportunities in fashion and the arts. Find out more.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). This organisation supports diverse artistic voices and includes education and public programmes designed to make art more accessible to people from all backgrounds. Learn more here.
The Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF). With a history of partnering with Virgil Abloh's Post-Modern Scholarship Fund, this scholarship offers financial aid and mentorship to students of colour pursuing careers in fashion. Support them here.
