Fashion's most glamorous night returned to New York this week as the 2025 Met Gala unfolded at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the star-studded red carpet is a visual feast of avant-garde style, what goes on behind the scenes is even more fascinating—and heavily guarded by strict rules.
This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” celebrates the artistry of Black designers and the long legacy of Black dandyism. As always, guests are treated to a private exhibit tour, an exclusive dinner, and a live performance—but only if they follow a surprising list of etiquette and regulations enforced by Vogue editor-in-chief and Met Gala chair Anna Wintour.
Here are some of the strictest (and strangest) rules guests must obey:
1. No Phones, No Selfies
Though stars shine bright on the red carpet, they’re kept in the dark once inside. The Met Gala has a firm no phones and no selfies policy during the event, especially during the dinner and performances. While the rule aims to protect privacy and exclusivity, some celebrities have been known to sneak in bathroom selfies, continuing the unofficial tradition started years ago.
2. No Garlic, Onions, or Parsley
Looking and smelling your best is non-negotiable. Certain foods like garlic, onions, and parsley are banned from the menu to prevent bad breath and unsightly green flecks in teeth during photos. Messy items like bruschetta are also off-limits to avoid wardrobe disasters. Anna Wintour reportedly oversees the menu herself to ensure guests stay picture-perfect all evening.
3. Absolutely No Smoking
Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the Met. Beyond fire safety concerns, smoke can damage or taint the priceless couture on display. Breaking this rule isn’t just frowned upon—it can get you permanently uninvited. Curator Andrew Bolton once said smoking indoors is the number one way to ensure you’re never welcomed back. Still, some guests have reportedly slipped away to bathrooms for a rebellious puff.
4. No Free Passes
Yes, even A-listers have to pay. Though the Met Gala is invitation-only, entry comes with a hefty price tag. In 2024, individual tickets reportedly cost $75,000, while a table ran up to $350,000. Often, fashion houses foot the bill for celebrities wearing their designs, ensuring both exposure and brand alignment.
5. Wardrobe Approval Required
Even if you’re famous, you can’t just wear what you want. Every outfit must be approved by Anna Wintour herself—a process insiders refer to as getting the "AWOK" (Anna Wintour OK). If your look doesn’t pass her high fashion standards, back to the drawing board it goes.
6. You Don’t Choose Your Seat
Despite paying top dollar, guests have no say in where they sit. The seating chart is carefully curated by Vogue’s special projects team, often starting as early as December. Spouses are never seated next to each other to encourage networking, and relationships—friendly or frosty—are taken into account. It’s strategic social engineering with a couture twist.
The Met Gala may be a spectacle of creativity and culture, but it’s also an exercise in discipline and discretion. Behind every dazzling look is a carefully managed experience designed to maintain the mystique—and exclusivity—that has made the Met Gala one of the most iconic events in the world.
Source: Hindustan Times