Marc Fennell

So over the years, there's been so many incredibly talked about moments on those steps leading up to the Met Gala.

What's your favourite?

What's the one that will always stay with you?

Do you think if Diana hadn't been fired from Vogue, we'd still be talking about these kinds of looks?

Yes.

If we go all the way back to really the woman that kind of is the genesis of this, Irene, with that incredible collection of costumes from the beginning...

What do you think she would make of what's become of her costume collection and the annual spectacle that's kind of held in its honour?

If that collection had been thrown away, what would have been lost?

What sort of pieces are we talking about?

Elizabeth, thank you for taking us through the story of these incredible women that have brought us this incredible event.

Dr. Elizabeth Lundén is from the Library of Congress in the United States.

This episode was produced by Zoe Ferguson and Rebecca Metcalfe.

Sound engineering by Simon Branthwaite.

Now, if you've got a story idea, a weird little historical kernel that you think we should dig into, you know the deal.

No one saw it coming at abc.net.au.

I'm going to say it again.

No one saw it coming at abc.net.au.

No One Saw It Coming is made on Gadigal land in Sydney, Australia for ABC Radio National.

I'm Mark Finnell and I'll be back next week with a brand new episode.

Bye.