MET GALA 2019: THIS is why the glamorous annual event is held on the first Monday of May

MET Gala 2019 will be held in New York on Monday, May 6. The star-studded annual event MET Gala takes place on the first Monday of May. Ever wondered why? Well, here's your answer.

By Navya Kharbanda

Updated on May 06, 2019 | 12:45 PM IST | 3.4M

MET GALA 2019: THIS is why the glamorous annual event is held on the first Monday of May

One of the most fashionable and glamorous events of the year, MET Gala, also known as Costume Institute Gala is back again. It will be held in New York on Monday, May 6, 2019. While many of the famous personalities from the world will be attending this annual fundraising event, several Bollywood actresses too have flown to NYC for it. The theme of this year's MET Gala is Camp: Notes on Fashion.

Since many years, the MET Gala has been taking place in the month of May. However, from 2001 to 2004, the event was held in late April. And before that, it took place in late November or early December. According to an article published in The New York Times in May 2000, the date of the annual event at the museum changed post the cancellation of an exhibit of the work of French fashion designer Coco Chanel. The report said, "It was to be the highlight of the Costume Institute's fall schedule, as well as the backdrop to its glittering annual gala."

However, the winter exhibition was cancelled following the death of the museum's chief curator, Richard Martin, in November 1999. Therefore, to honour the former US First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, the museum held an exhibition in 2001 from 1 May until 29 July. Finally, in 2005, the MET Gala was held on the first Monday of May, paying tribute to the fashion house Chanel. Well, hence, it has become like a ritual for the annual fashion event to take place on the first Monday of May.