On May 3rd, The Costume Institute Gala once again takes center stage in New York City at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York Magazine has called it the city’s “most fashionable event of the year.” Chaired by Patrick Robinson, Oprah Winfrey and Anna Wintour, the star studded event is underwritten by the Gap and will include original gowns designed by Alexander Wang, Rodarte, Sophie Theallet and Thakoon to be worn to the gala by a select group of “muses” such as Melania Trump. Six hundred guests are expected to attend.

The exhibit, “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity,” opens May 5th and runs through August 15th, full of lush vintage gowns and dresses. Those have come from the Brooklyn Museum costume collection, many of which have not been on display for over 30 years. Also including film footage, the exhibit will reportedly follow American women’s fashion from the late 1800′s to modern day. The exhibit is curated by Andrew Bolton and Harold Koda.

The original gowns will be shown at Gap Fifth Avenue (680 Fifth Avenue at 54th Street) for the month of May. For those who won’t be able to stop by the store in New York, some gowns will also be available online via silent auction. All proceeds will be donated to The Metropolitan Museum of Art for The Costume Institute.

Images courtesy the Metropolitan Museum of Art.