This Colombian Event Designer Has Been Behind the Met Gala Design & Decor Since 2007

Behind the world’s most popular events, is a Latine making it come to life. And for the last 18 years, Colombian creative, Raúl Avila has been the vision behind the MET Gala’s impressive event and floral design.

Since 2007, Avila has brought the MET gala themes to life via florals, projections, and interior design. His vision comes from the Gala theme, which he tells Fashion Week Online, that he “soaks completely” when he gets the theme in June-July the year before. Development takes months of planning and weekly one-on-one meetings with Anna Wintour, and the duo collaborate on the final design for months, up until the last minute when even the slightest detail is up for consideration. 

Avila has been sharing the countdown to the Met Gala with video montages of his team’s work throughout the years, and the celebrities in relation to the theme.

The videos show the designer’s interpretation of Met Gala themes via large scale installations, glittering lights and sculptural floral and tree arrangements that transform the Met Gala from a world class museum into an immersive portal of design and otherworldly scenes.

The 2025 Met Gala put a spotlight on Black styling and tailoring with the 2025 spring exhibition titled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” We’re already seeing images of his work, which feature dense bouquets of daffodils along a backdrop of twinkling lights inside the Museum. 

The MET Gala carpet is also bordered with daffodil bouquets and a blue printed carpet with daffodil designs. 

Àvila, who migrated to the United States from Bogota, Colombia at a very young age, learned from renowned event planner, Robert Isabell. Through a mentorship with Isabell, Avila met Anna Wintour and several celebrities who he had worked with throughout his career.