NGV cancels exclusive Gala due to Covid fears

Melbourne’s A-list NGV Gala, which has brought celebrities such as Natalie Portman and the Jagger sisters to town, has been cancelled due to Covid.

The NGV Gala has been rescheduled for December.

Melbourne’s A-list event, which has brought the likes of Natalie Portman and the Jagger sisters to town, is a highlight of the social calendar.

“With the safety of our community in mind and based on current health advice, the NGV Gala will not proceed on February 19,’’ said an NGV spokesperson.

“We look forward to welcoming our community back at the next NGV Gala in December to coincide with a major international blockbuster fashion exhibition.”

A statement on the National Gallery of Victoria website said the cancellation was “due to the evolving nature of Covid-19” and in line with following current guidelines.

Natalie Portman attends the NGV Gala in 2018. Picture: Getty Images

The NGV has not hosted the Gala since 2019, when hip hop group Salt N Pepa headlined. Picture: Getty Images

The Gala was celebrating the Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto exhibition, with one of the rumoured guests this year being Hollywood actor Margot Robbie.

Robbie is an ambassador for the French design house and was widely tipped to be joining the star-studded black tie crowd.

On the NGV website it stated that Gala Party tickets were already sold out and a crowd of around 1,500 people was expected.

The Gala hasn’t taken place since 2019 when hip hop group Salt N Pepa headlined an unforgettable night of art, style and performance.