Did you know that there is a very specific hierarchy at the Met Gala?

SOME CURIOSITIES ABOUT THE MET GALA:

1. Secret theme (but not too much)

Every year there is a theme related to the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, specifically at the Costume Institute. The guests must interpret it with often very theatrical outfits.

2. Outfits that make history

Some looks have become iconic, such as: Kim Kardashia's “wet” dress, Rihanna's papal dress, Lady Gaga's transformable look.

3. Very strict rules.

It is forbidden to use cell phones. In this regard, in 2017, despite the absolute ban on using phones, a group of stars locked themselves in the bathroom to take selfies: Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Bella Hadid.

The photo in question went viral and apparently infuriated Anna Wintour.

The places at the table are designed down to the smallest detail. The arrangement of the tables is strategic and includes no ex-together, a mix of fashion, cinema, music and business, each place is designed to create “useful connections”

The menu often includes “anti-disaster” foods (no staining foods). Speaking of which, Kylie Jenner was caught secretly eating McDonald's food during the evening.

4. The Queen of the Met Gala

Anna Wintour is the mind behind everything: she decides the guest list, table layout and much more.

At the Met Gala there really is a very precise hierarchy, even if it is never officially declared. It's all about Anna Wintour, who decides who matters… and how much.

The hierarchy includes: the great designers (like Donatella Versace), the very loyal celebrities (like Rihanna, the co-chairs of the event which change every year. They sit at the best tables, can talk to her for longer and can move freely during the evening.

Then there are the superstars invited by the brands, including very famous actors, models, influencers, who are dressed and sponsored by the big fashion houses. They have enormous visibility on the red carpet, but less direct access to Anna Wintour and can only speak to her briefly, reportedly for 20 seconds at most.

At this point we have the “plus one” and the second line guestswhich guests brought by brands, such as entrepreneurs, or rich but less well-known people, who have no contact with Anna Wintour and are seated at less central tables.

Finally there are the excluded.

It's not enough to be famous or rich, you must be personally approved by Anna Wintour to be invited. Some stars get rejected even though they are very popular.

Over the years the Met Gala has had several illustrious “snubs”.

Donald Trump was invited in the past, but Anna Wintour publicly stated that she would no longer invite him. Tim Gunn was “banned” after telling an anecdote about Anna Wintour on TV. Rachel Zoe disappeared from the guest list at some point. Lili Reinhart, after some critical statements on diets and body image (which indirectly involved Kim Kardashian), it was assumed that she was no longer welcome.

Not everyone is “snubbed”: some simply choose not to participate: Beyoncé returned this year after 10 years of absence, while Taylor Swift hasn't participated for some time.

In essence: the closer you are to Anna Wintour, the more you are at the center of fashion's power. It's not enough to be famous: you have to be “relevant” to fashion at that moment and this changes constantly, because Anna Wintour decides everything.