The Cobrasnake Stakes Out The Met Gala’s Celebrity HQ

Its government name is the Mark Hotel, but on the night of the Met Gala, it becomes the liminal space between a formal dinner in the Temple of Dendur and 3 a.m. lemon-pepper Wingstop eaten while watching Teyana Taylor perform a full cabaret revue (true story). That vibe shift — usually signaled by an outfit change — is what makes roaming around the Upper East Side institution so fascinating. That’s why, for another year, we dispatched photographer Mark Hunter to document the celebrity returns, the fans on their own (sidewalk) stakeouts, and the start of the more “let your hair down” portion of the proceedings.

Below, take in a Rosé selfie; a sloe-eyed Charli’s commitment to her hand-in-waistband pose; Sabrina Carpenter, still in ringmaster drag, flanked by security; and a Swarovski-encrusted Alex Consani throwing up a V sign.