What glittering extravaganza is missing this first Monday in May in New York City? Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, there is no Met Gala today. Me, I’m celebrating with my sheltering-at-home pajamas. Also, I thought now would be a great time to explore the history of the awards ceremony red carpet. Where did this tradition originate?
The Met Gala is one of the most glamorous red carpet-events of the year. The 2020 theme is About Time: Fashion and Duration to celebrate the Museum’s 150-anniversary. Currently, the Met closed until further notice; the annual exhibit postponed until October 29.
The first known mention of a red carpet used as a pathway for an individual of high status was recorded in 458 B.C. in the Greek play “Agamemnon.” According to online sources, in one scene, the wife of King Agamemnon lays out a “floor of crimson broideries” to lead the king back to his throne.
One of the first modern instances of using a red carpet was in Georgetown, South Carolina 1821. When President James Monroe visited the city, the citizens felt the best way to welcome him was to lay out a red carpet.
Further, sources say that while these historical events set a precedent for red carpets at awards shows, perhaps the direct inspiration for their use comes from a train station. In 1902, the 20th Century Limited Express began taking passengers on the fastest train route from New York to Chicago.
The train operators wanted to associate speed and luxury, so they set out a red carpet for passengers to follow as they boarded the train.
Assumptions based on this 1922 use of a scarlet-hued runway inspired the owner of the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles. Why? Mr. Grauman wanted to beef up the premiere of the Douglas Fairbanks film Robin Hood.
Now that we know the history behind the ultimate stage, I want to return to the first Monday in May. Last year’s annual fundraiser raised a record-breaking $15 million. Attending the invitation-only event cost $30,000.
Vogue will look back at the highlights from previous years, from the breathtaking red carpet ensembles to memorable moments. The day will conclude with “A Moment With the Met” – an intimate celebration, available via live stream exclusively on the Vogue YouTube channel starting at 6 p.m. EDT.
As always, thank you for reading. Please stay healthy and safe.
P.S. I’m excited to share my mention on the Daily Sleeper Instagram page; thank you.
