The 2024 Met Gala had stars looking enchanted.

The theme of the Met Gala this year was “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” The hosts of the Gala this year were Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, and of course, fashion world icon Anna Wintour. Vogue refers to the fundraising event, which takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, as “Fashion’s Biggest Night Out.”

The first Met Gala ever was in 1948 and was called the “Costume Institute Gala.” Its purpose was to be a fundraiser for the new Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Back then, the tickets were only $50, compared to this year’s price of $75,000.

Each year, the Met Gala continues to grow in popularity. It has turned into one of the most glamourous and exclusive events of the year.  In order to get an invite, you must be a famous celebrity, date a famous celebrity, work at Vogue, or donate to the Met. Each year between 600 and 700 people are invited, and Wintour gets the final say on the guest list.

Daliah Elvin, a senior from Chapel Hill N.C., loves watching all the celebrities and their outfits.

“Watching the Met Gala is so fun and interesting with all the glamorous outfits,” she said. “I like to watch and try and guess what brand each celebrity is wearing.”

Anna Wintour has been the Editor-in-Chief at Vogue since 1988. She has chaired and co-chaired the Met Gala since 1995. She is responsible for the guest list, along with helping to create the theme each year. She also pre-approves each outfit before the wearer steps onto the red carpet.

Before the event, Mina Sugiyama, a junior from Tokyo, was intrigued by who would be at the Gala since it changes each year.

“I love watching because you never know what celebrity will be invited each year,” she said. “I also like seeing the glamourous and crazy outfits that brands put together for the celebrities.”

Brands will collaborate with guests and dress them. Usually, the brand will pay for the guest’s ticket in return and let them keep their designer outfits. Brands that dominated this year’s Met Gala include Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, Loewe, Thom Browne, Balmain, and Maison Margiela. Not only are designer brands seen on the red carpet, but also less expensive brands like H&M. This year H&M dressed six celebrities for the Met, including Awkwafina, Paloma Elsesser, Quannah Chasinghorse, Adwoa Aboah, Hari Nef, and Stefon Diggs.

Mei Gazama, a junior from New Jersey, thinks it is important that less luxurious brands are recognized on the red carpet.

“I love all the designer brands, but I also think it is important to have less expensive brands like H&M to make it seem more realistic,” she said. “I couldn’t even tell that those outfits where H&M because they looked just as glamourous as the others.”