Met Gala tablesettings are something of a mystery. The first Monday in May is fashion’s night when the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute hosts its fundraising gala. The red carpet is well documented, but what does the party look like?
Photograph Poupay Jutharat
English ivy, candelabras, and lettuce plates: the Met Gala 2024 Decor was inspired by the romantic, ethereal Sleeping Beauty fairytale. The woodland decor was punctuated by a saturated dark red florals and a rose print on the napkins, resembling a 2000 hat by Philip Treacy.
Photograph Arturo Holmes
In 2023 Met Gala event designer Raul Avila celebrated Karl Lagerfeld by creating a dinner inspired by the designer’s Left Bank Parisian apartment. The tabletops were ornately decorated with crimson peonies, vintage china, flatware, and hand-painted candelabras. They were paired with beautiful custom-made napkins and tablecloths detailed with an elegant lace trim – oh so Chanel!
Photograph Matt Winkelmeyer
In 2022 the Gilded Glamor event’s guests had dinner on plates adorned with vintage motifs sourced by Johnson Hartig of Libertine. Gracing the tables were linens based on embroidery by American textile artist Elizabeth Jeffries, found by Vogue’s contributing editor Eaddy Kiernan in the Metropolitan Museum’s archive.
Photograph by Hunter Abrams
In 2021 each table had a centerpiece by Raúl Àvila, comprised of North American flora—including chamomile flowers—all plucked from different states to symbolize diversity and unity.
Photograph by Corey Tenold
The theme for 2019 was Camp. Designer Raul Àvila said, “Camp is all about exaggeration. There was no room for simplicity, even when it came to the table setting.” Flamingos were a unifying motif in this tropical wonderland from the pink lamps to the printed seat cushions to the embroidered napkins.
Photograph by Corey Tenold
In 2018 the monastery-inspired tables were set with pewter charger plates, Italian honey pearl-handled flatware with antique silver details, and blown glass goblets in amber and plum. Guests sat in custom-made oak chairs, upholstered in a rich red velvet.
Photograph by Corey Tenold
In 2017 the Met Gala tablesettings were immersed in a sea of roses in honor of Rei Kawakuno of Comme Des Garcons – well known for incorporating the flower into her designs.
Photograph by Taylor Jewell
The 2016 tables were covered in pale blue and lavender linens with custom-designed charger plates featuring a rose motif. In the center of the table, a grouping of tall pillar candles nestled amongst red, burgundy, and lavender roses in silver vessels.
Photograph by Eric Boman
For the 2015 China Through the Looking Glass Met Gala decor, a ceiling of 200,000 wisteria played against panels of hand-painted de Gournay fabrics, which also served as tablecloths.
Photograph by Eric Boman
In 2012 the Costume Institute explored the striking affinities between Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, two Italian designers from different eras. The print-heavy decor was anchored by Prada’s iconic red lips motif.
Photograph Robert Fairer
In 2007 the Costume Institute celebrated Paul Poiret, who pioneered a radical approach to dressmaking that relied on the skills of draping rather than tailoring and pattern making. The Charles Engelhard Court was festooned with enormous floating lanterns inspired by the designer’s prints.
