Costume Institute

The Costume Institute is the fashion department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It houses a collection of fashionable dress from the 15th century to the present day. The institute is unique among the museum's departments as it is solely responsible for funding its own operations.

To support its work, the Costume Institute hosts the annual Met Gala, a high-profile charity event typically held on the first Monday in May. This event coincides with the opening of the institute's major annual exhibition and is considered one of the most prestigious fashion events of the year. The Met Gala generates significant income, enabling the Costume Institute to fund exhibitions, publications, and acquisitions. The event itself has evolved from an early fundraiser to a glamorous, celebrity-filled affair, with invitations being highly exclusive and tickets costing tens of thousands of dollars.123