The highly awaited 2025 Met Gala is almost here, ready to bring together the most famous names in fashion, film, music, and art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. While fans across the globe watch the red carpet spectacle unfold, what happens inside the event remains mostly a mystery. That’s because once the glamorous photo ops are over, the rest of the evening follows a very strict, invitation-only plan, filled with rules that even A-list stars must follow.
A Theme Rooted in Culture and Heritage
Each year, the Met Gala celebrates a theme connected to a new fashion exhibition at the museum’s Costume Institute. In 2025, the focus is on “Tailored for You,” which complements the launch of the exhibit titled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” This exhibit explores the impact of Black dandyism, a style known for its elegance, precision tailoring, and cultural depth.
It also highlights the significant work of Black designers throughout history, bringing attention to fashion as a form of self-expression, resistance, and pride. Before the dinner begins, guests are taken on a private guided tour of the exhibition to fully understand the vision behind the night’s dress code and theme.
Anna Wintour Sets the Rules
Fashion icon and Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour has been in charge of the Met Gala since 1995. She’s not just the host—she oversees everything. From who gets invited, what food is served, where people sit, to how they are expected to behave—Wintour controls it all.
Over 400 celebrities, designers, and artists attend each year, but stepping into the event means following some of the most unusual and strict rules in the world of entertainment.
Rule 1: No Phones, No Selfies
Even though stars walk the red carpet and pose for photographers outside, once inside the museum, phones are completely banned. That means no selfies, no social media stories, and no behind-the-scenes videos.
The private museum tours, dinner, and live performances are not recorded or shared with the public. The aim is to keep the experience exclusive and personal. However, over the years, some celebrities have broken the rule, especially by taking selfies in the bathroom—a space that has oddly become the only place where these restrictions are slightly bent.
Rule 2: Certain Foods Are Banned
You might assume that a lavish event like the Met Gala serves gourmet food without limits, but the dinner menu is carefully designed with fashion in mind. Some ingredients are off-limits because they can cause bad breath or mess up a celebrity’s appearance.
Items like onions, garlic, and parsley are banned to prevent lingering odors and embarrassing moments like green herbs caught in teeth. Foods that can easily spill or stain, like bruschetta, are also excluded from the menu. Every detail, even what guests eat, is planned to ensure they look perfect for photos.
Rule 3: No Smoking Allowed
Smoking is strictly forbidden at the Met Gala. That’s because the priceless clothing and artifacts on display can be damaged by smoke and odor. Even the most famous celebrities aren’t above this rule.
In fact, curator Andrew Bolton once told TV personality Gayle King that if a celebrity smokes inside the gallery, “they won’t be invited back.” Despite this, many stars have sneaked off to the restrooms to smoke, which has been a recurring controversy over the years.
Rule 4: Tickets Come With a Hefty Price Tag
It’s a common misconception that celebrities attend for free. In reality, everyone must pay to be there—yes, even the biggest stars. Although the Met Gala is invite-only, it is also a major fundraising event for the museum’s Costume Institute, which houses a vast collection of historical fashion pieces.
According to Time Magazine, in 2024, an individual ticket cost $75,000, while a full table went for $350,000. Most of the time, fashion houses cover these costs for their celebrity guests, in exchange for showcasing their designs on the red carpet. The funds raised help preserve and grow the museum’s collection, which spans seven centuries.
Rule 5: Outfits Must Be Approved by Anna Wintour
Getting a Met Gala invitation doesn’t mean you can wear anything you want. Each outfit must be approved by Anna Wintour herself before the event. This rule is so well-known that insiders even use a code for it: “AWOK,” which stands for “Anna Wintour Okay.”
This ensures that all guests match the theme and contribute to the event’s high fashion standards. Sometimes, designers and celebrities have to make last-minute changes to meet her approval.
Rule 6: You Don’t Get to Pick Your Seat
You might pay tens of thousands for a ticket, but that doesn’t mean you get to choose where to sit. The seating plan is a complex, strategic process, led by Ward Durrett, Vogue’s special projects director. Planning begins as early as December each year.
Interestingly, couples are deliberately seated apart to encourage socializing and new conversations. Organizers also consider personal dynamics, such as whether two people get along or have collaborated before. The goal is to foster connections and keep the conversation flowing all evening.
The Met Gala may be known for its extravagant outfits and red carpet moments, but behind the scenes, it’s one of the most carefully curated events in the world, where even the tiniest detail is under control. From what guests eat to how they pose for photos, every part of the evening is designed to celebrate fashion—and only those who follow the rules get to come back.
