The First Monday in May: Unveiling the Story Behind Fashion’s Most Magical Night

Every year, as spring blooms and the city of New York starts to hum with anticipation, there comes a moment when the fashion world halts, its eyes set on one singular evening. The Met Gala, often dubbed “Fashion’s Biggest Night,” is more than just a red carpet spectacle. It is a curated blend of art, style, culture, and drama, all unfolding on what has now become a sacred date in the style calendar: the first Monday in May.

But how did this glamorous tradition begin? Why is the first Monday in May so significant? Let’s dive into the origin story of the Met Gala, its evolution, and why it continues to mesmerize us year after year.

A Gala with a Purpose

The Met Gala was first established in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, the same powerhouse who founded New York Fashion Week. What began as a fundraising dinner to support the newly formed Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has now blossomed into a global phenomenon that blurs the line between fashion and fine art.

Initially, the event was far more low-key, attended by New York’s elite society. But everything changed when Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, took the reins in 1995. With her sharp vision and unmatched influence, Wintour transformed the Gala into the dazzling event we recognize today curating guest lists that blend Hollywood stars, designers, models, artists, and even athletes.

Why the First Monday in May?

The choice of date wasn’t always set in stone. But over the years, the Met Gala found its rhythm on the first Monday in May, a date now synonymous with high fashion, theatrical entrances, and couture storytelling. This timing also coincides with the grand opening of the Costume Institute’s annual exhibition, which the Gala is held to celebrate and fund.

In fact, the phrase “The First Monday in May” has become so iconic, it was even used as the title of a 2016 documentary that offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the Met Gala and the incredible exhibition work that goes on at the museum.

Though the red carpet grabs headlines, the heart of the Met Gala lies in its themes bold, poetic, and often provocative. From “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” to “Camp: Notes on Fashion” and “China: Through the Looking Glass,” each exhibition challenges designers and celebrities to interpret art, history, and culture through fashion.

It’s storytelling through textiles. A blend of costume, character, and personal expression.

A Night of Fundraising and Fantasy

Beyond the couture and celebrity glamour, the Met Gala is a fundraising powerhouse. It raises millions each year to support the Costume Institute, ensuring fashion’s place in the art world is preserved and celebrated. The money helps acquire new pieces, maintain archival collections, and educate future generations about the rich history of fashion.

The Met Gala isn’t just another red carpet event. It’s an evening of curated chaos, creativity, and courage. It dares celebrities and designers to go beyond the expected and step into the extraordinary. It's not just about who wore what, it's about who said what through their fashion.

So, every first Monday in May, we gather digitally or in person to watch this living art parade. Not just to admire the outfits, but to feel part of a larger, unfolding fashion fairytale.

The Met Gala is a ritual, a performance, and a museum-worthy moment that happens just once a year. Its story is one of evolution from a quiet fundraiser to a global fashion spectacle. And every year, like clockwork, it returns to dazzle us on that sacred evening: the first Monday in May.

Because on that day, fashion isn’t just worn, it’s written into history....