Ah, the Met Gala. That glittering, gilded, and occasionally baffling annual soirée where fashion defies gravity, logic, and in some cases, sleeves. Officially a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, it is—under all the feathers, sequins, and sheer audacity—a project. And if it’s a project, well then PRINCE2 would like a word.
PRINCE2, the proud stalwart of structured project management, has evolved in its 7th edition into something not just fit for government IT rollouts, but (perhaps surprisingly) suitable for celebrity-studded affairs. Yes, even the Met Gala.
Let’s break down how PRINCE2 could (and should) be used to plan this custom chaos.
Business Case – Why Are We Doing This?
PRINCE2 asks us to start with a compelling Business Case, the anchor of all decisions. The purpose of the Met Gala’s is not just to showcase trailblazing fashion, but to raise funds for the Costume Institute. Everything else,high-slit dresses, confusion on the theme, and tweets, are just deliverables.
Without a strong business case, you’re not managing a project; you’re just hosting an elaborate party with a dress code that’s gone rogue.
Project Board – Enter the Co-Chairs
In PRINCE2, the Project Board governs the project, making key decisions. For this year’s Met Gala, imagine Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Coleman Domingo—not just dripping in style, but also in responsibility.
These Co-Chairs act as the Project Board, guiding the theme, approving plans, and curating that all-important guest list. Their job? Ensure the project aligns with its strategic goal: dazzling the world while supporting the arts.
And yes, they also have a Host Committee, PRINCE2’s equivalent of the Project Manager and team. Behind every radiant red-carpet moment is someone panic-calling the florist.
Project Initiation – The Theme
A PRINCE2 project cannot begin without a vision. At the Met, that vision is the Theme.
This year’s is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Think of it as the Project Product Description, the central idea upon which all other plans are based: from décor to designer mood boards, Vogue spreads to five-course menus. If it doesn’t align with the theme, it doesn’t make the cut (and yes, that includes last-minute bedazzling).
From here, core PRINCE2 documents spring forth: the Project Initiation Document (PID), risk registers (for sequin shortages and shoe malfunctions), work packages, and team plans.
It’s not just a plan; it’s a designer Gantt chart.
Controlling the Red Carpet – Managing Stage Boundaries
Now to the logistics: Red Carpet Entrances, the crown jewel of this event.
Under PRINCE2, this stage needs tight control and coordination. Security (Met and personal) act like Work Package Managers, directing movement and ensuring timely delivery (of celebrities, naturally).
The flow is linear but with dramatic pauses:
Arrival → Holding Tent → Red Carpet → Grand Staircase → Stair Interview → Ballroom.
This procession must be timed down to the second. Because if two A-listers arrive at once wearing the same designer? Catastrophic Scope Creep.
The final part of planning? A careful tango of egos and allergies: the Seating Chart and Menu.
Seating is strategic, aligning designers with their muses, avoiding tabloid-fuelling feuds, and keeping editors close to champagne. Dietary requirements are noted with military precision. No gluten, no peanuts, no awkward exes within throwing distance.
This is where PRINCE2’s Quality Register and Issue Logs shine. Because the only thing worse than a wardrobe malfunction is a poorly placed celebrity.
And yes, the Selection of Chefs and Service Staff? That’s a procurement plan with taste (literally).
In Conclusion: PRINCE2 Meets Prada
Who said structured methodologies can’t have flair?
PRINCE2’s strength lies in its adaptability. Its principles, continued business justification, defined roles, managed stages, and focus on products, are surprisingly perfect for an event that, while glamorous, is also a complex, multi-stakeholder, risk-heavy project with a hard deadline and global visibility.
The Met Gala might be an extreme example, but it illustrates a core truth: PRINCE2 is about making complexity manageable. Whether you’re planning a black-tie gala or a strategic business rollout, the principles stay the same.
With its focus on control, structure, and adaptability, PRINCE2 proves it can work anywhere, even where the cameras are flashing and the stakes are high.
