Who founded the Met Gala, the annual benefit closely associated with Vogue?

Eleanor Lambert founded the Met Gala, originally called the Costume Institute Benefit, in 1948.

Lambert was an influential American fashion publicist who created the event as a fundraising dinner for the newly established Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The first benefit was held in December 1948.

The event later moved toward its present format as a major annual fashion occasion. Diana Vreeland helped shape the Costume Institute’s exhibitions, while Anna Wintour became the gala’s leading modern organizer after joining the museum’s leadership structure.

The Met Gala is commonly linked with Vogue because Vogue editor Anna Wintour has chaired the event since 1995. That later association should not be confused with Lambert’s role as its founder.