From cheeseburger costumes to surprise Cher concerts, this year’s Met Gala has proven to be just as wild of a time inside the museum as it was on the red carpet.
That has been thanks, in large part, to this year’s theme ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’, inspiring celebrities to bring their most exaggerated and over-the-top looks yet.
And that spirit was brought to the actual Met Gala as well, where event designer Raul Àvila made sure to give everything a whimsical flair – with plenty of flamingos.
Simple silverware and napkins were left behind as Àvila brought in baby pink tablecloths, flamingo napkins, and feather lampshades.
From cheeseburger costumes to surprise Cher concerts, this year’s Met Gala has proven to be just as wild of a time inside the museum as it was on the red carpet. Pictured is Cardi B inside the Met Gala on Monday night
There were towering flamingos throughout the Metropolitan Museum to match this year’s theme ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’
There was plenty of big and bold colors decorating the museum to match the celebrities’ over-the-top outfits
‘Camp is all about exaggeration,’ Àvila told Vogue. ‘There was no room for simplicity, even when it came to the table setting.’
Àvila drew inspiration from his Latin roots, incorporating tropical flowers in colorful vases and bamboo silverware.
And the menu was just as colorful as the plates and tables it was served on.
Caterer Olivier Cheng served up filet of beef with horseradish crema, tomato rye tartlets, haricot adorned with edible orange flowers, and rainbow carrots for dinner.
On the dessert course were flamingo cookies and a Gianduja chocolate cake that featured a ‘male-female’ topper.
Event designer Raul Àvila wanted to honor the fact that camp is ‘all about exaggeration’ in his concept of the event ins, and father lampshades.
Àvila drew inspiration from his Latin roots, incorporating tropical flowers in colorful vases and bamboo silverware
‘Male on one side, female on the other,’ Cheng explained. ‘Bit of a double entendre.’
The Met was so devoted to its theme this year, it was even reflected in the waiters’ outfits.
Every waiter on Monday night wore a white jacket with green carnations, a wink to the Irish playwright Oscar Wilde.
‘It was rumored that Oscar Wilde and his circle would wear a green carnation to signify to each other that they were part of the underground gay culture of that era,’ said Cheng.
‘This added just a touch of playfulness and intrigue to their attire.’
‘There was no room for simplicity, even when it came to the table setting,’ Àvila told Vogue of his design for the event
Traditional silverware and napkins were left behind as Àvila brought in gorgeous pink tablecloths, flamingo napkins, and feather lamps
All waiters on Monday night wore white jackets with green carnations, a wink to the Irish playwright Oscar Wilde and the underground gay culture of the era
While the Met has dominated headlines with its incredible red carpet, don’t expect to see much actually happening inside the gala.
That’s because Anna Wintour has strict rules when it comes to conduct, including a ban on selfies, according to the New York Post.
Guests actually aren’t allowed to take videos or photos with their phone at all, although that rules has been flouted in the past – such as Kylie Jenner’s famous 2017 group bathroom selfie.
In fact, former Met Ball planner Sylvana Durrett revealed in 2016 that staffers actually check on how often guests use their cell phones.
Flamingos played a huge part in the inspiration and design for the fun-spirited theme at this year’s Met Gala
While the Met has dominated headlines with its incredible red carpet, don’t expect to see much actually happening inside the gala on social media. Wintour has a strict no selfie ban
‘We aren’t sitting over people’s shoulders,’ she said. ‘But if it’s an obvious thing we might gently remind them.’
‘Anna is sort of an old-school traditionalist. She likes a dinner party where people are actually speaking to each other.’
That’s why Wintour also doesn’t like when guests bring their spouses. She is even known to sit couples far apart from one another to encourage them to mingle.
‘The whole point of these things is to meet new people, and to be interested in what others are doing,’ Durrett said. ‘What’s the point if you come here to hang out with your husband?’
But many celebrities did try to sneak clips of the surprise performance by Cher at the event on Monday night (pictured)