The Met Gala is fashion’s most exclusive night, but there’s more happening beneath the surface than just sparkle. Every first Monday in May, the Met’s steps become a portal, ushering guests into a world where style, power, and possibility mingle. What began in 1948 as a straightforward fundraiser - founded by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert - has become a layered ritual, all under Anna Wintour’s watchful eye. The world tunes in for the red carpet, dazzled by the spectacle. Today, it raises tens of millions of dollars annually, making it the Costume Institute’s primary source of funding while simultaneously acting as fashion’s most visible stage. But the real action starts once the cameras stop rolling. That’s when the table assignments come into play, quietly setting the tone for everything that follows.