The gala is a fundraiser dedicated to New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute – formally named The Anna Wintour Costume Center, in homage to the American Vogue's editor-in-chief, who has been a chair member of the museum's gala since 1995.

The benefit founded in 1948 ...

The Met Gala also marks the opening night of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit.

The theme of the exhibition sets the tone for the event and invitees must dress accordingly.

Other than Anna Wintour, each year the event brings honorary chair members. The late Karl Lagerfeld and Gianni Versace were the first designers chosen to co-chair the night, in 1995.

Since then, among many designers and fashion insiders, the gala has also made room for celebrities (and even...

Without being an actress, model, musician, Vogue editor, A-lister's plus one, or wealthy enough to donate hundreds of thousands to the Met Museum and become a sponsor, it's not easy.

Tickets go for approximately £23,000, while tables cost £211,000 – and that's before you get your hands on a...