Anna Wintour has an incredibly long day every Met Gala Monday as she always attends the press preview event before the big party starts.
The 76-year-old former Editor-in-Chief of Vogue was joined by Lauren Sanchez Bezos while attending the Met Gala press preview on Monday (May 4) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Anna‘s co-chair Venus Williams and her husband Andrea Preti were also in attendance at the event before getting ready for the red carpet.
Anna Wintour reflected on the history of the Met Gala
Anna revealed that this year’s gala is raising $42 million for the Costume Institute
“Years ago this was a very small event and honestly, we sometimes had to chase people to attend. Fashion, we were a bit of a curiosity. Now fashion is everywhere and belongs to everyone,” she said (via USA Today)
She also opened up about attending her first Met Gala back in 1982, when she was working for New York Magazine.
“I was a nobody that night, but it meant the world to me. A foreigner who had arrived in New York not so long before, to be part of something so important to the city and to the daunting world of fashion where I was making my way.”
Lauren Sanchez Bezos also gave a speech at the event
Lauren is serving as an honorary co-chair this evening.
“As we all know, no one has done more to elevate fashion as an art form, or to create in this industry the respect it deserves. Thank you, Anna,” she said (via E!) News. “The Met has always understood something the rest of the world is finally catching up to: Fashion is art. The designers we celebrate tonight are true artists. The Costume Institute is the custodian of their work—the way the Met is the custodian of any great painting or sculpture. That’s what this museum definitely understands.”
Venus Williams talked about the effect fashion has on tennis
Venus Williams, who is a co-chair of the event, talked about how fashion has affected her life.
“Fashion distinguished me from my fellow players—because it was a contest,” she (via Vogue). “About power, strength, will, skill, and being the best-dressed. And I tried to win it all. It also allowed me to connect with passionate fans across the world. But most of all, it allowed me to connect to myself.”
We also have all the photos from inside the exhibit, so you can see what all the celebs will be viewing during the party.
Scroll through the gallery for more photos from the press preview…
Posted To:2026 Met Gala Andrea Preti Andrew Bolton Anna Wintour Lauren Sanchez Met Gala