The Met Gala is one of the most fashionable nights for the Hollywood elite and cultural figures alike. Since 1948, designers, athletes, and actors have been tapped to participate in the gala’s fundraising and publicizing. But where do we, as Latine people, fall into this, and who have been co-chairs and honorary chairs in previous galas?
Helmed by Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, the 2024 Gala on May 16 is uncharacteristically Latine. JLo and Bad Bunny will be co-chairs, joined by Zendaya and Chris Hemsworth. Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will be honorary chairs. The Latine lineup is surprising, considering the Met Gala has only had seven Latine co-chairs in its 46-year history. The inclusion of JLo and Bad Bunny makes it nine.
So before you get ready to watch the 2024 Met Gala, let’s take a look at Latine Met Gala co-chairs and honorary chairs who helped pave the way in years past. And may it act as a reminder that the Met Gala can always do better when it comes to representation.
1
Oscar de la Renta (1994, 2001, 2014)
Oscar de la Renta’s influence goes beyond his popular red carpet designs, with his triple co-chair roster affirming his lasting impact on fashion. The Dominican designer joined Gala co-chair veteran Pat Buckley for her final Gala in 1994, themed “Orientalism: Visions of the East in Western Dress.” De la Renta returned to his co-chair duties in 2001 and for a final appointment in 2014, just a few months before passing away at the age of 82.
2
Paula Cussi (1998)
Mexican actress, art collector, and socialite Paula Cussi joined the roster of gala co-chairs in 1998 alongside Miuccia Prada and Pia Getty. The theme for the 1998 Met Gala was “Cubism and Fashion,” which aptly embodies the co-chair line-up of icons who have embraced art, fashion, and culture. Cussi even opened a museum of modern art in Mexico before it closed in 1998.
3
Carolina Herrera (2001)
Venezuelan designer, Carolina Herrera, Joined Oscar de la Renta as a fellow co-chair for the 2001 Met Gala, “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years.” The theme examined the former first lady’s influence on fashion during her time at the White House. Attendees were dressed to the nines in high-sheen gowns, tuxedos, and opera gloves, as worn by Carolina Herrera.
4
Salma Hayek (2011)
Salma Hayek stepped up as an honorary chair, alongside her husband Francois-Henri Pinault, Stella McCartney, and Colin Firth for the 2011 Met Gala. The theme, “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” celebrated the late designer’s contribution to fashion. Hayek wore a silk, nude-colored Alexander McQueen gown, which also made an appearance in a throwback IG post by Alexa Chung in 2020.
5
Lauren Santo Domingo (2013)
Lauren Santo Domingo, the Colombian-American co-founder of Moda Operandi, was one of the four co-chairs at the 2013 Met Gala. The theme, “PUNK: Chaos to Couture,” examined the punk style aesthetic’s lasting impact on fashion. The associated exhibition was sponsored by Moda Operandi, and featured seven galleries of punk “heroes” and concepts.
6
Gisele Bündchen (2017)
Brazilian model Gisele Bündchen joined Anna Wintour, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, and her former husband, Tom Brady, as co-chairs for the 2017 Gala. The theme was “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between,” which examined Rei Kawakubo’s avant-garde fashion. The former couple have been loyal attendees of the event, making their debut appearance back in 1998.
7
Lin-Manuel Miranda (2022)
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first Gala appearance was as co-chair for the 2022 Met Gala, where he was joined by Regina King, Blake Lively, and Ryan Reynolds to present the theme “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.” Miranda attended with his wife, Vanessa Nadal, and in an interview with Vogue, candidly mentioned that he didn’t know what to expect, adding, “I really jumped into the deep end by deciding to co-chair for my very first Met Gala. We haven’t thought this much about our clothes since our wedding.”
8
JLo and Bad Bunny (2024)
Even though they haven’t chaired yet, we wanted to include JLo and Bad Bunny on this list, especially after how the internet erupted at the news they were co-chairs for the 2024 Met Gala. JLo has been a loyal attendee, with 13 appearances under her belt, whereas Bad Bunny has attended three Met Galas in his lifetime. This year’s theme is “The Garden of Time.”