Chris Appleton’s Met Gala Glam Rules: Inside the Ultimate Fashion Event

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The first Monday in May is almost here—and Chris Appleton is ready to deliver a “look.”

Prior to the 2025 Met Gala scheduled for May 5, the renowned hairstylist who has often been responsible for making Kim Kardashian a red carpet standout (think back to her 2024 icy blonde metamorphosis) offered some behind-the-scenes insights about fashion’s most anticipated event.

Chris described the Met Gala to TopMob News as being similar to a grand wedding in fashion. He explained that for the styling team, this event is like their most splendid opportunity to shine.

According to Chris, who had his hair styled by G Flip in a platinum blonde hue, it’s clear that celebrities and their styling teams prepare for the Met Gala in a unique manner compared to other events.

The expert opined that high-definition cameras might have been designed primarily for sports. As for their application in hair and makeup, it’s unclear. However, these cameras allow for an extremely close-up view of every detail on a person’s face, including each strand of hair, every pore. The impact of HD cameras and lighting is significant.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d say when gracing the unpredictable red carpet lights that can subtly change one’s appearance, it’s no surprise celebrities tend to opt for a carefully crafted style instead.

In a conversation with TopMob, Chris remarked that the Met Ball is exactly what one anticipates – glamorous and extraordinary when it comes to attire. He added that people might feel a bit let down if they showed up in an ordinary outfit.

And while Chris is tight-lipped about the 2025 Met Gala, he did offer a bit of a teaser.

He went on to say, “It represents the pinnacle of narrative in the realms of fashion and beauty. I believe it’s high time we let individuals radiate. To me, this translates as personal style at all times.

As you eagerly anticipate this season’s hottest event happening on May 5, let’s delve into some intriguing facts about the Met Gala that might amaze you.

Should you be fortunate enough to receive an invitation to the year’s most prestigious fashion event, a single seat would cost you $30,000, whereas a table would set you back at $275,000.

Luckily, not everyone needs to pay for admission since Anna Wintour often invites emerging fashion designers to the gala. Furthermore, celebrities who are asked to showcase a designer’s work on the red carpet typically do not need to cover the cost as well.

The high price doesn’t seem to discourage the fashion-conscious crowd; instead, there’s a waiting list.

As a dedicated follower and regular attendee of this prestigious event, I, Cameron Silver, have encountered instances where some individuals are eagerly waiting for an unexpected vacancy. Even though they might not have secured a ticket in advance, they’re fully prepared to seize the opportunity should a last-minute seat become available. In fact, their stylish ensemble is often ready days before the event, a testament to their unwavering interest and anticipation.

The size can fluctuate, and a gathering of around 500 people is often seen as intimate and charming, while an event with up to 800 attendees, which is the maximum number the Met Gala has ever hosted, is considered excessively large.

Sylvana Ward Durrett of Vogue explained to Fast Company in 2017 that they aim for an intimate atmosphere for their guests. As a result, over the past few years, they’ve significantly reduced attendance by approximately 200-300 people.

Although known for its lavishness and glamour, the organizers aim to create an event that feels exclusive, catering to the fortunate few who can attend. In fact, Anna Wintour often heads the guest list with the intention of maintaining a limited attendance of around 500. According to Ward Durrett in “The First Monday in May,” this is done to preserve an intimate atmosphere, which is why people choose to attend this event.

Just because a celebrity receives an invitation, it doesn’t guarantee that their significant other will be invited as well. The partner needs to receive an invitation separately.

After the first Monday in May, there’s no time for relaxation in the world of fashion since preparations for the upcoming event typically begin the very next day, which is Tuesday. It’s worth noting that around 100 people dedicate their entire year to this event, with approximately ten full-time employees from Vogue among them.

According to Ward Durrett, who was then the director of special projects at Vogue, she was fond of utilizing a one-page summary. She described their work process as having an ongoing task list that continually grows as the deadline approaches. Each day they would go through this list, sometimes repetitively, even if some tasks were already completed.

As a diligent follower, I delve into the initial item on her list: the tent. To ensure a thorough understanding of all aspects related to it, I meticulously outline everything involved. This comprehensive approach allows me to visualize the event from its inception to conclusion, ensuring that no crucial details are overlooked.

In terms of Wintour’s level of involvement with the details, Andre Leon Talley, a former contributing editor at Vogue, stated in “The First Monday in May” that Anna is extremely particular about every detail, from the table settings to the lighting. The specifics of the flowers and even the ushers’ attire have been carefully selected and refined for months, if not weeks or even months.

She tends to keep the specifics of her famous Chanel gown concealed, as Plum Sykes, a contributing editor for Vogue, explained to The New York Post: “It’s quite mysterious. [Wintour] doesn’t want anyone to know her plans or activities until the exact moment she steps onto the red carpet and enters the venue.

If you’ve ever struggled with setting up seating arrangements for a wedding, you might get a small glimpse into the challenges faced when creating the seating chart for the Met Gala. This meticulous task is one of the crucial elements that the organizing team dedicates significant time to, as they strategically place guests based on shared interests.

In the film “The First Monday in May“, I, Ward Durrett, shared that there’s a remarkable amount of careful consideration put into seating arrangements. Factors such as whether someone sat together last year or if they’ve previously sat next to each other at other events play a significant role. The depth of planning involved is truly astounding, and I refer to it as a formidable exercise in power-brokering.

Indeed, every year, the seating arrangements for this event undergo numerous adjustments as it evolves, with Ward Durett sharing her experience of favoring Velcro over sticky notes with Vogue to minimize mistakes. She explained, “There have been countless revisions of the seating plan. At first, we only had small sticky notes, and it was a chaotic mess—things kept falling off, people were getting lost, and names were constantly being erased and rewritten numerous times each day.

Color-coding is employed often, as Ward Durrett prefers arranging individuals in a sequence of woman-man-woman-man whenever feasible. A surprising rule that might catch you off guard: Avoid seating spouses beside each other. The main idea behind these events is to interact with new people and learn about their activities. What’s the fun if you attend just to socialize with your spouse? I’m afraid that rules out Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds from sitting together!

As a devoted admirer, I must share this insight: at any major event, there’s always a table that offers a bird’s-eye view, often situated near the kitchen or restrooms. The Met Gala isn’t an exception to this rule; in fact, designers’ tables tend to shift positions every year for this prestigious gathering.

In addition, Wintour is deeply engaged in the process, famously reprimanding her team for attempting to conceal an H&M table during the filming of The First Monday in May. She stated emphatically, “We can’t hide this table,” adding, “honestly, that’s not right.

Even though they aren’t luxury labels or exclusive ateliers, brands like H&M (which advertises in Vogue and other publications), Topshop, and Zara are becoming more prominent during fashion’s most significant event. H&M made its mark in 2015 with a notable achievement: Sarah Jessica Parker wore a custom-made gown for them.

At one of the most high-profile gatherings, it’s hard to avoid seating former lovers and sometimes complicated relationships near each other. For instance, recall when both Selena Gomez and The Weeknd were present, accompanied by his ex Bella Hadid? Therefore, in the thick of their rivalry, it’s possible that Taylor Swift and Katy Perry wouldn’t have been placed at the same table. However, the importance of the event as a whole tends to overshadow any potential conflicts among guests.

It’s impossible to satisfy everyone, but we strive to believe that every seat here is a good one. However, it’s important to remember that you can’t make everyone happy, and our best should be enough. We may not always meet everyone’s expectations, but the instances are rare. When they occur, we aim to work more closely with them in the following year to set realistic goals.” – Ward Durrett said.

In a noteworthy moment from the film “First Monday in May“, Ward Durrett strategically positioned three tabs with Velcro next to her seating chart, subtly hinting to Wintour, “These individuals I’m hoping won’t be present.

Unfortunately, not everyone seemed content with their designated seats, as fashion critic Cathy Horn pointed out in her 2006 article for The New York Times. In her piece, she mentioned that John Lydon, previously known as Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols, was seated at the very last spot on a long table, which appeared to be one of the least desirable seats according to the carefully arranged seating arrangement. This placement seemed to upset him greatly, and he left twice, cursing museum staff.

He eventually took his seat.

In 2018, during an interview on The Late Late Show, James Corden inquired about any famous personality that Anna Wintour wouldn’t re-invite to the Met Gala.

“To that,” she replied, “(In previous years, Donald Trump – who was then President – and his wife Melania Trump had often graced the Met Gala. However, their most recent appearance on those well-known steps was back in 2012.)”

It seems another notable figure, the former mentor of ‘Project Runway’, Tim Gunn, has asserted that Anna Wintour supposedly barred him from the Met Gala. This is due to an account he shared with The Post, which she allegedly perceived as unfavorable.

In simpler terms, he stated on the Fashion Police show in 2016 that things got extremely chaotic and out of control, almost unbelievable. Ever since then, we’ve been engaged in a full-blown conflict.

Indeed, a meal is indeed provided during the event itself, as revealed by Stephen Colbert in one instance, where it was necessary for Anna Wintour to be seated first before any of the guests could start eating.

And, like every other aspect, Wintour is heavily involved in the menu planning for each gala. 

A Vogue staff member revealed to The Post that Wintour forbade certain ingredients due to their potential to lodge between teeth (such as parsley), cause bad breath (like excessive garlic), or discolor clothing the most dreadfully (staining gowns). Thus, appetizers are designed to be effortlessly consumed.

As a dedicated follower, I often find myself advocating for the food to align with the given theme, although it doesn’t always prove feasible.

Sean Driscoll, proprietor of Glorious Food, shared that he had catered every Met Gala from 1995 to 2018. During the 2011 event with the theme “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” he opted for lamb potpies on the menu, a choice that led to numerous specific requests because several attendees preferred not to partake in it.

Apart from desiring delicious cuisine, they also value its aesthetics. As Andrew Rossi, director of The First Monday in May, confessed, he was taken aback by the attention to detail, particularly during a tasting with Wintour. During this event, he observed Wintour meticulously checking presentations of various dishes on her phone, stating: “Anna was seen going on her phone to look up the presentations of different food.

The reason behind the establishment of this mandate remains unclear, as no formal justification has been provided for prohibiting selfies and social media use at this high-profile, envy-triggering event. However, it was Anna Wintour who enforced this rule in 2015.

During that period, a Vogue contact shared with Pret-a-Reporter that a notification was sent to all guests, advising them that phone usage for taking photos and social media sharing would not be allowed within the gala.

Instead of commenting on the report, the magazine chose not to speak about it. However, a source shared with The Hollywood Reporter at that moment, “The reason is entirely related to the safety and pleasure of the attendees during the event.

In the movie “The First Monday in May“, it was evident that Wintour did not approve of phones at the event, as shown when she expressed frustration to Ward Durrett upon learning that a famous man – whose identity was kept secret at Wintour’s request – decided to attend after initially declining. “Can’t he stay off his phone during the whole event then?”, she asked.

In an interview with The Post, Ward Durrett stated that Anna is somewhat traditional and prefers formal gatherings where guests engage in conversation. He noted that while they don’t intrude on others, they may subtly nudge people when necessary to maintain a conducive atmosphere for interaction.

Even though Wintour enforced a rule against it, numerous celebrity shutterbugs have disregarded this restriction on multiple occasions. For instance, Kylie Jenner posted her now-iconic bathroom selfie during the 2017 event, which was one of many instances where they flouted the rule.

To put it simply, the rule is that you need to be at least 18 years old to participate in the major event. This age requirement was established for the 2018 Met Gala following Maddie Ziegler’s disclosure that she couldn’t attend due to her being only 15. In her own words, she expressed this as, “I can’t go because I’m not old enough.

As someone committed to upholding event standards, I made it clear last year that this particular gathering would only be suitable for adults, specifically those aged 18 and above.

Before the year 2018, notable young attendees of the event were Jaden Smith and Willow Smith who attended in 2016 when they were 17 and 15 years old respectively, Elle Fanning making her initial appearance in 2013 at only 13 years old, and Hailee Steinfeld who first attended the Met Gala in 2011, being just 14 years of age at that time.

However, it appears that there’s an exception for young trendsetters in Hollywood: If their parents are present, they can accompany them.

Ultimately, it’s Wintour who decides every attendee’s outfit, but in a technical sense, these outfits don’t require her explicit approval (even though she keeps tabs on everything that graces the well-known red carpet).

Andre Leon Talley stated in The First Monday in May, “For each celebrity, there’s a specific designer who has chosen their gown. It’s almost like assignments,” he said, with Riccardo Tisci, the former Givenchy creative director who dressed Beyoncé and Madonna for the 2016 Met Gala, adding, “Each designer has his own muse. You bring a person that embodies your unique style.

Essentially, it boils down to the fashion designer who extends an invitation to a celebrity having significant influence over their appearance at the event.

Every year, our gala carries a theme, this year being “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”, while last year was “Camp: Notes on Fashion. However, when it comes to interpreting these themes as a guest or designer, there are no set rules to follow.

As a dedicated follower, I ponder over the question: How does the theme get selected for each year’s exhibition? The process begins more than a year before the first Monday in May. It’s Andrew Bolton, the relentless curator of The Costume Institute at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, who embarks on this journey, seeking something culturally significant and relevant to choose as our theme.

He shared with Vogue that he aims to focus on topics that are currently relevant or indicate an upcoming cultural change. The team strives to create a diverse selection of shows, moving between past and present subjects, as well as thematic and monographic shows focusing on individual designers. They like to keep things interesting by mixing up their approach.

Once he has made a decision about what he is looking for, he submits this choice to the museum director for approval. About a year in advance, Wintour will give his final endorsement on it.

The respected British curator clarified that it would be challenging to execute the task without Anna’s backing. Anna identifies suitable sponsors for the exhibit, and at times, her ideas may not be grand or trending, making them less attractive to potential sponsors.

After stepping on the red carpet and navigating the famous stairs, the guests will then approach Wintour and the other hosts (this year’s lineup includes Bad Bunny, Zendaya, Chris Hemsworth, and Jennifer Lopez). This is typically done in a receiving line, which can take some time due to all the greetings and friendly conversations.

Following that, I am honored to be among those who get a sneak peek at The Costume Institute’s exhibition before it becomes accessible to the general public. Later on, it’s all about enjoying a meal, engaging in conversation, and expanding my network – all set against the backdrop of music, dancing, and captivating performances by none other than Rihanna and Lady Gaga themselves.

When it comes to organizing the prestigious Met Gala, much of the pressure is related to arranging the evening’s entertainment featuring top-tier artists.

In the chronicles of my unwavering fandom, as recounted in “The First Monday in May,” I, much like Ward Durrett, found myself grappling with a substantial financial conundrum – the challenge of securing the enchanting Rihanna for that year’s grand gala.

She stated that Rihanna’s yet-unrevealed compensation is roughly double what we’ve ever paid any artist before, following a call with someone from her management team. They’re not open to negotiating and lowering the fee any more.

Eventually, Wintour was called to step in and figure out the situation.

At the event, celebrities can also bring along personal security personnel, in addition to the security staff provided by the museum specifically for the red carpet.

Indeed, it is the precious jewels that necessitate the greatest level of protection. In one instance, Blake Lively adorned herself with jewelry valued at a staggering $3.5 million, while Karlie Kloss once graced an event wearing a stunning Forevermark collection worth $2.5 million.

A Forevermark representative shared with TopMob News that due to the extremely high worth of the items being handled, every aspect of the extensive security protocol remains strictly confidential. However, a security officer is stationed on site until the valuable pieces are securely returned. Moreover, they implement additional safety measures such as RFID tracking devices and video surveillance for enhanced protection.

So yes, Ocean’s 8 definitely got that aspect of the Met Gala right.

At the Met Gala, it’s uncommon for celebrities to get to keep the custom-made or archival designer dresses they wear. Instead, these dresses usually return to the fashion house for storage in their archive.

In 2018, Olivier Rousteing from Balmain collaborated with Bono’s RED organization to auction off personalized designs that had been worn by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, and Trevor Noah. The entire revenue generated was donated to the foundation’s Global Fund.

As a die-hard fan, I was all set for this year’s event in 2021. However, the new rules – wearing masks and showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination – made me hesitant. Unfortunately, my beloved Nicki Minaj decided to sit this fashionable extravaganza out due to these precautions.

I, as a dedicated follower, have shared on Twitter that some people are encouraging me to get vaccinated for an event called The Met. However, getting vaccinated won’t be due to The Met. Instead, it will be when I feel satisfied with my research. Right now, I’m diligently working on gathering more information. In the meantime, stay safe, everyone. Wear a mask that fits snugly around your head and face, not the loose one.

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2025-04-16 15:20