The annual Met Gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate its Costume Institute, has become one of New York’s most anticipated social and fashion events. And this year the party – which attracts every A-list celebrity you can think of – continued right here in the Hunter gym.
Held on the first Monday in May every year, celebrities of all different professions get invited to this prestigious event hosted by Anna Wintour — the longtime editor and artistic director of Vogue. Each year, Wintour herself selects a few people to serve as hosts of the ‘Oscars of the East Coast,’ as it is often referred to in the tabloids.
This year, Wintour selected singer Harry Styles, tennis star Serena Williams, singer and actress Lady Gaga, and the creative director of Gucci, Alessandro Michele. It was Gucci’s after party that took place here, with the gym converted to a dance floor. (This reporter got the news when her roommate’s friend spotted Styles himself on an escalator in Hunter West at 10 p.m. that night.)
The MTA shut down the 6 station under the school to limit access to the gym, which is on the same level as the subway. Hunter was surrounded inside and out by security and NYPD officers; barricades were set up outside prohibiting fans and paparazzi from getting too close to attendees.
Once inside, guests were escorted down the bleachers and onto the basketball court giving off a ‘high-school prom’ feel, according to Vogue Magazine. A DJ was in attendance and hors d’oeuvres were served around every corner of the star-studded event by white T-shirted men.
While speculation was flowing throughout Hunter, it was not confirmed that this event was being held at our school until it was plastered all over social media as the stars arrived. On Monday afternoon, this picture started getting passed around.
“My friend showed me this picture someone sent her of the gym being set up and we were confused by that,” said sophomore Erin Lynch. “I also heard that the MTA shut down the 6 subway line and I saw barricades outside of Hunter when I was there earlier in the day on Monday so I felt something was happening but had no idea it would be this!” added Lynch.
On the other hand, junior Alyssa Parisi had a feeling it was happening a few days prior. “I saw this article saying how the Met after party is going to be in a gym a few blocks away from the museum,” said Parisi. “I immediately started investigating and saw them setting things up. Public safety was super strict Monday and then at night my friend was leaving Hunter and told me that she saw Harry Styles on an escalator in Hunter.”
Countless stars flowed in and out of the event, taking pictures in front of our trophies, using our restrooms, partying in our gym and snacking through our vending machine. Stars in attendance included Katy Perry — who arrived dressed as a hamburger — Lupita Nyong’o, Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Demi Moore, Chris Rock, Emma Stone, Benedict Cumberbatch, Harry Styles, Seth Meyers, Salma Hayek and Donatella Versace.
