Met Gala 2025: Top bizarre rules like no garlic, no onion, or no bathroom selfies

Dubai: With excitement mounting as Met Gala 2025 inches closer, all eyes are on fashion’s most prestigious night hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

While the red carpet dazzles the world, the rest of the evening remains shrouded in secrecy—governed by an astonishing set of strict, sometimes downright bizarre, rules every attendee must follow.

This year’s theme, “Tailored for You”, aligns with The Costume Institute’s new exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, which pays homage to the rich history and cultural impact of Black Dandyism and Black designers.

Here’s a glimpse into the rules that keep this exclusive evening tightly choreographed.

Despite the glittering guest list filled with social media stars and Hollywood icons, phones are banned once guests step inside. There are no Instagram stories, TikToks, or behind-the-scenes dinner videos. Why? Anna Wintour enforces a strict “no phones” policy to maintain the mystique and intimacy of the private tours, dinner, and performances. Though that hasn’t stopped celebs from sneaking bathroom selfies—infamous as the event’s only glimpse into the inner sanctum.

In a bid to keep breath fresh and smiles photogenic, certain foods are blacklisted from the dinner menu. Onion, garlic, and parsley are strictly prohibited. Even messy dishes like bruschetta are avoided, ensuring no risks of wardrobe disasters or awkward herb-in-teeth moments. The goal? Glamour uninterrupted.

Think you’re too cool for the rules? Think again. Smoking is strictly banned inside the museum. The reason is simple: to protect the rare fashion collections and the venue itself. According to curator Andrew Bolton, one surefire way to get blacklisted forever is to light up in the galleries. That said, some celebs still sneak into the toilets for a puff—rebels in couture.

The Met Gala may be invite-only, but it’s not free. In 2024, individual tickets reportedly cost $75,000, and a table went for $350,000. While many celebs don’t pay out of pocket—design houses often cover the fee in exchange for dressing them—it’s still a hefty price tag to be part of fashion’s elite fundraiser.

Paying $75,000 (Dh275,000) doesn’t guarantee you’ll sit with your BFF—or even your spouse. Seating is a carefully strategised affair. As per Vogue’s special projects director, Ward Durrett, meticulous planning goes into who sits where, factoring in everything from professional rivalries to encouraging unexpected mingling. Spouses are often seated separately for maximum social spark.

Even your look must get a seal of approval from the queen of fashion herself. Outfits need to be AWOK—Anna Wintour Okay—before you can walk the carpet. Yes, even after spending thousands on couture, it’s Wintour’s word or nothing.