The annual Met Gala has always been synonymous with opulent spending. Since its inception in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert as a fundraiser for the newly established Costume Institute, New York’s fashion elite has graced the event in their most extravagant attire.
In the early 1970s, the Met Gala started to attract a more diverse guest list with an international and entertainment focus. Nevertheless, the event continued to highlight unique fashion choices, haute couture, and increasingly, exquisite jewelry.
One iconic moment was in 1996 when Princess Diana made waves globally by attending the Met Gala in a modest Dior dress paired with a sapphire and diamond cluster necklace gifted to her by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
In 2018, Rihanna, serving as a co-chair, dazzled attendees with a vintage Cartier crucifix adorned with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires dating back to 1934. Returning three years later, she showcased a Bulgari High Jewelry necklace featuring 267 carats of natural diamonds.
This year, the spotlight shone on Indiana billionaire Sudha Reddy, who flaunted a $15 million necklace boasting a 550-carat tanzanite pendant from Tanzania’s Merelani Hills. This marked Ms. Reddy’s third appearance at the Met Gala, where she stunned onlookers in 2024 with her “Amore Eterno” necklace valued at over $10 million.
The extravagant necklace comprises 25 diamond solitaires totaling over 180 carats, including one 25-carat and three 20-carat heart-shaped diamonds connected by 21 additional round diamonds.
For her appearance this year, Ms. Reddy collaborated with designer Manish Malhotra and stylist Mariel Haenn. Haenn drew inspiration from Hyderabad’s rich artistic and architectural heritage, infusing ancient Indian craft traditions into Ms. Reddy’s ensemble, embodying the essence of Costume Art.
Despite the glitz and glamour, the event faced backlash for its display of wealth, particularly due to Jeff Bezos’ involvement, who sponsored the event with $10 million. A group called Everyone Hates Elon protested by placing around 300 bottles of fake urine throughout the Met, criticizing Amazon’s alleged mistreatment of employees.
The bottles featured Bezos’ face with the slogan “Boycott the Bezos’ Met Gala.” The group explained their stance on Instagram, highlighting Amazon’s controversies and expressing disdain for honoring Bezos at the Gala.
This incident sparked a debate on social media, emphasizing the contrast between extravagant displays of wealth and the realities faced by some workers in major corporations like Amazon.