The Debt Gala takes on the Met Gala

The annual Met Gala, a star-studded extravaganza of wealth and fashion, has long been a staple of the fashion world. However, a new event has emerged to challenge the exclusivity and opulence of the Met Gala: the Debt Gala. Hosted just a night before the renowned Met Gala, this populist benefit themed “Sleeping Baddies: Slumber Party,” rallied some 200 pyjama-clad attendees, trading the ball gowns and glamour for neck pillows, pyjamas and well-loved stuffed animals.

The Debt Gala, now in its second year, was founded by three friends Amanda Cordray, Tom Costello, and Molly Gaebe who wanted to use their creativity and resources to make a positive impact.  This alternative gala, held in Brooklyn, aims to raise funds for medical debt relief and has become a popular choice for those seeking a more inclusive and sustainable way to participate in the fashion world.

“We wanted to create an event that was accessible, affordable, and most importantly, made a real difference in people’s lives,” says Cordray, the event’s co-founder. “The Met Gala is all about exclusivity and excess, but we believe fashion can be a powerful tool for social change.”

And change they’re making.

Last year, the Debt Gala raised over $15,000 and alleviated nearly $2 million in medical debt for individuals across the country. This year, the event’s impact has only grown, with the exact amount raised still to be determined.

But the Debt Gala is more than just a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and a shared commitment to social justice.

The anti-capitalist sentiment and attention to New York’s greater cultural scene continued through the Debt Gala’s line-up, featuring a diverse array of performers from comedians to drag queens, all united in their mission to entertain and educate. The event included a silent auction and a dance party, with proceeds going to the Debt Collective and Dollar For, two organizations dedicated to eradicating household debt. Furthermore, the emphasis on sustainable fashion protests the exploitation of both labour and resources that high fashion often perpetuates.

Gaebe stated, “We believe that fashion and activism can go hand-in-hand. By creating an event that’s inclusive, sustainable, and socially conscious, we’re showing the world that you can have fun and make a difference at the same time.”

Philip Bjerknes, a long-time Brooklyn resident, said he incurred around $50,000 in hospital bills during a one-month institutionalisation against his will after a suicide attempt. Wearing a Brooks Brothers night gown from eBay, Bjerknes commented to AP News that medical debt can be very embarrassing and that he was “completely destabilized” by his experience. “At the end of the day, the material support is what we need,” Bjerknes said. “To get to that with fun and fashion is awesome.”

So, while the elite may be preening on the Met Gala’s carpet, the Debt Gala is busy changing the world, one pyjama-clad partygoer at a time. It’s a fashion revolution with a heart, and it’s one that’s sure to inspire even more creative and socially conscious events in the years to come.

Sophia H, Year 12