Rebecca Minkoff Broke One of Anna Wintour's Major Rules and Never Got a Met Gala Invite: 'Huge Mistake'

Mar. 15, 2025

Rebecca Minkoff reveals why she thinks Anna Wintour never invited to the Met Gala.Photo:Jamie McCarthy/WireImage; Dave Benett/Getty

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage; Dave Benett/Getty

Rebecca Minkoffhas a hunch on why she’s never been invited to fashion’s biggest night.

In a Dec. 8interviewonTeddi MellencampandTamra Judge’s podcast,Two Ts in a Pod, the designer, 42, revealed the possible reason why she hasn’t been able to get into the Met Gala (despite her hugely popular and successful fashion brand).

And to hear her tell it, it’s likely because of an interaction she had with Anna Wintour 15 years ago.

When asked if she knew any of herReal Housewives of New York Citycostars before joining the cast for season 2 of the reboot, Minkoff revealed she did meet Jenna Lyons, who happened to see her make the “huge mistake” of stepping into the same elevator as theVogueeditor-in-chief and Met Gala chair.

“That was the end of my relationship with Anna. You’re not allowed in the elevator with Anna,” said Minkoff.

Rebecca Minkoff.Rebecca Minkoff

Rebecca Minkoff

Receiving shocked reactions from the co-hosts, Minkoff continued that she’s been told that taking a separate elevator than Wintour is protocol. The only reason why Lyons’ presence was allowed was because she was co-hosting an event alongside theVoguehoncho.

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Rebecca Minkoff and Jenna Lyons.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty(2)

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty(2)

“I was like hello, ‘How is everyone feeling today?’ She just looked down. It got silent, it was awkward. I was like, right, right I must’ve missed the memo somewhere.”

Mellencamp recalled crossing a similar boundary with Bob Dylan. “I didn’t know you can’t make eye contact with him or shake his hand, so he went to put [out] his paw, like fist pump, then I shook the paw. It was one of the most embarrassing moments.”

Anna Wintour departs The Mark Hotel ahead of the 2022 Met Gala.Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for The Mark

Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for The Mark

TheReal Housewives of Beverly Hillsalum admitted that in moments like these, she’ll “self-hate” and overthink.

Minkoff said she could relate. “I”m still overthinking it 15 years later. Maybe that’s why I’ve never been invited to the Met Gala" (Wintour has a large hand in curating the guest list).

According to her time frame, it seems like Minkoff’s regrettable faux pas occurred a few years after she launched her eponymous brand in 2005.

In a recent interview with BBC, Wintouraddressed assumptions around her public personaand when asked if she thinks others fear her presence, she replied, “I hope not.”

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Anna Wintour.Noam Galai/GC Images

Noam Galai/GC Images

There’s only been a select few Housewives who’ve attended the Met Gala, which is held on the first Monday in May at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art annually.

Those who’ve attended include Lyons (she’s been a whopping seven times),RHONYalums Tinsley Mortimer and Kelly Bensimon andRHOBHstar Sutton Stracke, who’s previouslyshared photos from inside the party.

The next event will be held on May 5, 2025 and will celebrate the“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition. The co-chairs areColman Domingo, F1 driverLewis Hamilton,A$AP Rocky,Pharrell Williamsand Wintour (who’s held the position since 1995) alongside honorary chairLeBron James.

source: people.com