THE MET GALA

ANNALICE NI

PSYCH 250
CONTEXT

• Met Gala (or Met Ball)

• Established in 1948
• One of the most exclusive social gatherings in the world

• Annual charity gala to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in
NYC
• Showcases theme of the year’s Costume Institute exhibition
• Guests are expected to wear something related to theme
MET GALA 2019: CAMP
MET GALA 2015: CHINA
 PSYCH CONNECTION

• Outgroup homogeneity effect

• A nation’s cultural dress can be defined
as a few stereotypes
• Lack of research or care for historical
accuracy

• Prescriptive stereotyping
• Many Americans believe Chinese and
other Asian cultures should be
portrayed a certain way
• Most of these countries are very
different in the modern day
 • Fashion = culture
• Not entirely frivolous since it defines how people can
perceive a group

SIGNIFICANCE • Global revenue of $3 trillion

• Huge job market and economic influence

• Fashion is still a West-dominated field

• NYC, Paris Fashion week, luxury European brands, etc.