Why the Bezos-backed Met Gala is so controversial – The Latest
5/4/202611 min
It’s the grandest and glitziest event in the fashion calendar, but this year’s Met Gala has sparked backlash thanks to its new honorary chairs, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. The billionaire Amazon founder’s involvement has led to boycotts and criticism of the event. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s fashion and lifestyle editor, Morwenna Ferrier – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
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First 90 secondsLucy Hough· Host0:00
This is The Guardian.
Morwenna Ferrier· Guest0:01
[upbeat music] The Met Gala, it's got a lot to do with fashion, but it is also about, like, who's got the power. You know, it's a grotesque pageant, a sort of striking representation of, of the way that rich people co-opt arts and sport and culture. And at the moment, the, the big tech has the money.
Speaker 20:25
Tomorrow is one of fashion's most glamorous nights, the annual Met Gala in New York City. This year, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, are the lead sponsors and honorary chairs.
Morwenna Ferrier· Guest0:38
The thing about Jeff Bezos is, is that he's definitely not known for his style, and I would say Lauren Sanchez is not particularly known for her style either. In the last sort of nine months or so, there have also been rumors that Bezos is possibly plans to buy Condé Nast. The sort of crossover between ethics and, and the Met Gala is, it's not an obvious one.
Lucy Hough· Host0:55
Tonight's glitzy Met Gala in New York will be co-chaired by Jeff Bezos, drawing condemnation and calls for a boycott. Why has Anna Wintour turned the fashion gala into a tech bro ball? From The Guardian's Today in Focus, this is The Latest with me, Lucy Hough. Well, I'm joined by Morwenna Ferrier, The Guardian's fashion and lifestyle editor. Thanks so much for dialing in, Morwenna.
Morwenna Ferrier· Guest1:20
No problem.
Lucy Hough· Host1:20
Uh, so this evening there is this hotly anticipated, I mean, it's like this blockbuster moment in the fashion calendar, isn't it? The Met Gala in New York, uh, which is hosted