Met Gala - Where the price of a ticket is more than double the poverty line

We hear about it every year - the so-called Met Gala (Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala). This is an event that brings out the days hottest stars to show off a fabulous dress or fancy tux. It is often referred to as the East Coast's equivalent to the Oscars due to the high fashion aspect. What do we really know about this gala, though? 

I love fashion and love seeing beautiful gowns as much as the next girl or fashionable guy, but I don't understand the extremely high price of said gowns. Something else I don't understand? The extremely high price of a ticket to attend this ridiculous event. Yes, the Met Gala is a fundraising event for a museum, but that doesn't mean people should pay this much for a ticket. 

A ticket to attend the Met Gala has cost $25,000 for the past few years, including this year. While all who attend do not actually pay that price, if they aren't highly sought out by Anna Wintour (the organizer of the event), they must pay this price. Model Kate Upton paid full price to attend in 2012. So, with such a high cost to get in, let's put things in perspective. 

2014 Met Gala ticket: $25,000

2014 Federal poverty line (single household): $11,670 

2014 Federal poverty line (family of four): $23,850

2014 Mazda Miata MX-5: $23,720

2014 Ford Mustang: $23,335 

2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop: $19,950

2014 Jeep Wrangler: $22,395

Standard in-ground pool: $23,750

Top-of-the-line hot tub: $16,715

Standard hot tub from Royal Spa: $3,995

Tuition at NYU for Spring 2014 term: $21,485 (undergrad, school of business)

In-State tuition at IUPUI for Spring 2014 term: $3,875 (undergrad, school of business)

Think about this, as well: Most that attend the Met Gala attend as a couple, which would cost $50,000. That money could be spent doing so much more than sponsoring an exhibit of high fashion. I know I could think of so much I could do with $25,000, let alone $50,000, that would make an actual impact on the world. Museums are important, but how many of those attending this event actually care about the museum? I would be willing to bet that most of them care much more about being seen in order to keep their star burning bright. 

Sources: 

http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/14poverty.cfm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/07/met-ball-2012-proceeds_n_1497482.html