Jab he Met: Before Shah Rukh Khan’s Met Gala debut, all you need to know

What is the Met Gala?

The Met Gala or Ball was started in 1948 by New York fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert to raise funds for the museum’s Costume Institute and increase its profile. The institute houses a vast collection of over 33,000 objects from the 15th century to now, documenting how men, women and children clothed and dressed themselves. It is also a testimony of societal evolution in the creative space, be it of craftsmanship, textiles, art or individual expression.

Over the years, the gala has become the most sought-after event that attracts A-listers, who stand out in outfits that look more like art collectibles than wearable couture. The celebrity arc has widened from fashion to include achievers in film, television, music, theatre, business, sports, social media and politics. Once Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour became the chairwoman of the Met Gala in 1995 and started co-hosting, it became a not-to-be missed celebrity-studded event.

Who gets invited to the Met Gala?

The attendees come by invitation only and for the privilege of watching them up close, a ticket costs $75,000. Celebrities and brands snap up all the available tickets and tables as these are not sold to the general public.

Who was the first Indian celebrity to feature at the Met Gala?

That was Priyanka Chopra-Jonas who debuted in 2017 wearing a Ralph Lauren trench coat dress with a record-breaking train. She chose Lauren again in 2018 with a beaded velvet gown and chose a Dior caged dress in 2019.

Priyanka Chopra was the first Indian celebrity on the Met Gala in 2017, and she turned heads in a Ralph Lauren trench coat dress with a record-breaking train. (Photo: Reuters)

Other women stars followed, with Deepika Padukone making an impression in 2017 and 2019, the last in a metallic Barbie look. Last year, Alia Bhatt wore a Sabyasachi hand-embroidered floral sari with an elaborate trail and the designer’s new range of jewels. Actor and mother-to-be Kiara Advani is debuting this year with designer Manish Malhotra. Businesswomen Isha Ambani and Natasha Poonawalla have had four and three outings respectively.

The women helped shine the spotlight on Indian couturiers and heritage craftsmanship in the global fashion market. Apart from Sabyasachi, designers Gaurav Gupta and Rahul Mishra have left their mark.

Why is Shah Rukh Khan a late entrant to the Met Gala?

That’s because this is the first time since 2003, when the “Men in Skirts” theme broke format, that the Met Gala will focus on menswear. This year’s theme, selected by Andrew Bolton, the chief curator of The Costume Institute, is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” It is inspired by Monica L Miller’s 2009 book “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.”

Dandyism refers to not just refinement and elegance in men’s fashion but the individual attitude and persona of the wearer. Black dandyism is a power tool representing the ascension of Afro-Americans, who rose in society and adopted the White man’s style to demand their parity and inclusion into privileged society. Most importantly, they broke the White man’s stereotype of what a Black man should be. Once in that circle, they turned it into a silent protest movement, adding hints, colours and accessories reminiscent of their identity, developing it into a sub-culture and a powerful hierarchical tool.

Given its dynamic nature, Black dandyism is more than just about inclusivity, it is about redefining the freedom of expression. “Dandyism… poses a challenge to or a transcendence of social and cultural hierarchies. It asks questions about identity, representation, and mobility in relation to race, class, gender, sexuality, and power,” Miller said in a press release by the Met.

What is Shah Rukh Khan expected to wear?

Since it is about Black style, some experts are expecting him to wear a black outfit with plenty of bejewelled accessories that designer Sabyasachi is now promoting heavily. Jewels would also go with the regal vibe of ‘King Khan.’ But the truth is the look is revealed only on the red carpet.

What goes on behind the closed-door event?

No attendee has an idea of proceedings and is not allowed to either take a picture or post it on their social media handles. There’s a big musical performance, often kept a secret. Since celebrities wear high-end jewellery, each attendee has a personal security guard and RFID trackers. Some reports say that certain foods like onion, garlic and parsley are left out of the menu because they can result in bad breath.

Who are the co-chairs hosting this year’s Met Gala?

Wintour has one of the most diverse co-chairs this time with actor Colman Domingo, race car driver Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky and singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams.