Met Gala, fashion’s biggest and fanciest night of the year, has arrived on the first Monday of May. Each year, thematic extravaganza rolls out the red carpet for A-list celebrities galore. However, the doors to the exceptionally exclusive event only open for a selective few, with much-coveted invitations flying out only after Vogue Editor-in-Chief’s Anna Wintour’s approval. And so, the below-mentioned attempts to retain the mystery of the event are particularly criticised for establishing an elitist cloud.
Met Gala rules that reiterate the night’s exclusive air
The most exclusive party of the year comes with a baggage of strict rules to be followed by each and every celebrity (or non-celebrity) in attendance. A ‘no phones’ policy prevails at the invitation-only event. This means that attendees, no matter who they may be, are prohibited from snapping pictures or posting on social media after they enter the Metropolitan Museum of Art to maintain the air of mystery and privacy.
To keep up the high-standard quality of the Met Gala and avoid unpleasant odours, certain foods like onions, garlic and chives are banned from dishes. New York City’s Smoke-Free Air Act and the gala’s glitzy glamour collectively calls for a smoking ban.
Met Gala security plan doubles down on venue inaccessibility
Even beyond the internal restrictions in place to instate exclusivity, security protocol surrounding the event physically makes sure that the Met Gala remains a closed-club. In the last few years, the event has been a witness to activists staging protests, especially with the Gaza humanitarian conflict in focus.
A retired detective recently told The US Sun, “The NYPD has to be prepared for every eventuality.” Former cop Michael Alcazar revealed that the high-profile event, which is susceptible to such demonstrations and possibly something sinister, has to inevitably be turned into a fortress to prevent any disruption. The security operation closer to the venue on 5th Avenue will especially be planned in such a way that it remains impossible for uninvited individuals to penetrate the event.
While armed police officers will patrol the New York City streets, snipers will be ready to take charge in case of an emergency on the top of buildings. With the place being heavily barricaded, a “frozen zone” — possibly spanning as far as a mile –will surround the Met. Alcazar even presented the possibility of this perimeter being expanded if needed.
“The NYPD is good at locking down an area,” he said. “No one will be allowed in there unless you’re attending the gala.” Local forces will partner with private security organisations, possibly even federal agents, who will also ensure that locals and tourists don’t bring in any undesirable item to the venue.
Reliance on high technology will see drones being deployed and surveillance of vehicles in the area by recognising license plates. “The area will be saturated with video surveillance, so we’re going to remove vehicles that are parked or don’t belong in the area,” he added. Additionally, limited access will prevent vehicles from driving up on the sidewalk. Consequently, taxis and ubers are expected to be re-routed. Other measures include shutting down some subway station exits.
Barrier trucks and concrete barriers will be in place to ensure the safety of attendees and NYC citizens alike. “We could have the potential for terrorist threats and gang activity, so I would think it’s a little bit more concerning for the NYPD this May,” highlighted the former cop while speaking of the current political context.
In case of potential disruptions, an arrest area has also been configured into the safety plan, giving cops ample room to process the development. Buses on standby will be ready to transport such people to a central booking unit. Concerned authorities will continue to evaluate security risk as the event inches closer to “review any kind of credible threats.”