Money can buy a seat at the Met Gala. The question is whether it can buy culture.

This week Anna and Caitlin tackle the most controversial fashion moment of the year. The Met Gala 2026. Dubbed the Tech Gala. And the question dividing the Decode Sessions studio: did tech bros ruin fashion's biggest night or did they have every right to be there?

Here is what actually happened. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez donated $10 million to the Costume Institute, roughly a quarter of the $42 million raised on the night. In return Lauren Sanchez stood next to Anna Wintour on the red carpet to greet guests. Mark Zuckerberg was there. Snapchat, OpenAI, Instagram, Slack, all there. And the backlash was immediate.

But here is the thing. Anna Wintour said yes. She curates every single detail of that event: who is invited, where they sit, who walks the red carpet. So is this really on tech? Or is this on her? And could there be something even bigger at play, given the ongoing rumours that Jeff Bezos wants to buy Condé Nast because Lauren Sanchez wants Vogue?

Anna and Caitlin do not agree on this one. One is very much team tech. One is very much team fashion. And the conversation is exactly as interesting as you would expect.

But here is what both agree on. You cannot buy cultural currency. You can write a cheque. You can get a seat. But world building does not happen through a donation. And the tech executives who wore emerging designers, unknown names from Hackney, first ever menswear looks from new labels, they got the best press of the night. Whilst Zuckerberg wore Prada and got roasted. The lesson is right there.

Who funds you is now part of your brand identity. Gen Z does the research. And shoehorning yourself into a cultural moment you have not earned will always show.

Decode Sessions explores the strategies, consumer behaviors, cultural shifts, and industry trends shaping the future of fashion, beauty, retail, and luxury brands.