British Museum to host first London Met Gala-style fundraiser at Frieze art fair

The British Museum will host its own version of the Met Gala in London next month, with invitations already sent for the event scheduled on October 18 at the Frieze art fair.

Director Nicholas Cullinan hopes the evening will establish itself as a fixture in the capital’s social calendar, with leading figures from entertainment, politics, sport and business expected to attend.

The announcement follows this year’s New York Met Gala in May, which raised a record $31million for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Known for extravagant fashion and high-profile fundraising, the US event regularly attracts around 450 global figures and generates publicity valued higher than the Super Bowl.

For the London debut, the British Museum has partnered with luxury brands and a committee of industry leaders. Helen Brocklebank, chief executive of Walpole, which represents 250 luxury brands, said: “Think Met Gala ambition with UK uniqueness.”

While the scale of donations expected from guests has not been disclosed, the event is designed to support international partnerships rather than contribute directly to the museum’s £1billion redevelopment.

The institution has emphasised ongoing projects in Ghana, Armenia, Iraq and Benin City, and is also working on bringing the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain.

The new gala arrives amid debate over arts funding. The museum has previously secured a £50million sponsorship deal with BP, which proved controversial as other cultural venues cut fossil fuel ties. By contrast, the National Gallery recently secured two £150million donations, described as unprecedented in scale.

With comparisons to the New York Met Gala, where tickets cost up to $75,000 and tables begin at $350,000, the London edition is set to merge fashion, culture and philanthropy on a major scale.