The Costume Institute's annual gala is easily the year's most spangly, exclusive, and haute-heavy event where le tout le monde parades before the cameras in their fanciest dress. To hear Vogue's European editor at large, Hamish Bowles tell it, yes, it really is as fun as it looks.

"It's pretty exciting from the moment you arrive," Bowles said. "Walking the red carpet, and New York is waiting with baited breath to see what everyone is going to be wearing. There are so any elements that are exciting, like the moment of walking up the steps and seeing the decor in the great hall."

For those of us whose invitations are surely just held up at the post office, Vogue is premiering a new Met Gala iPad app, featuring five years of behind-the-scenes footage and insider's access to the efforts that goes into the biggest party of the year. The app goes on sale on iTunes today at 8 a.m. for $0.99.

The app includes exclusive videos featuring Janelle Monae and Bruno Mars, photos and videos from past galas dating back to 2006′s "Anglomania." In a nod to 2011′s gala honoree, the late Alexander McQueen, the app includes Vogue editor Anna Wintour's personal tribute to the designer. In the days after the May 2 ball, the app will be updated to feature scenes from the most recent party.

For all the decadence on display at the ball, the details come together only the night before, Bowles said. Workers are let into the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the evening before the party and work through the evening. "It's like an amazingly industrious ant colony, all with their part to play," Bowles said. "So it has to be so scrupulously planned and orchestrated, because they have this finite window of opportunity in which to make the magic happen."

"The work is really phenomenal. The app gives you some sense of that," he added. The app will also include interviews with event designer Raul Avila, who will disclose decor details ahead of the May 2 ball. The app will showcase how exhibits come together, with peeks into the museum's storage vaults and the work of exhibit curators.

While a Met ball app isn't a ticket to the show, it allows one to vicariously join in the party without the pressure of finding a gown.

Bowles admits that even he, despite being a seasoned Met gala attendee for several years, still gets butterflies over what to wear to such an event.

"I mean, it's intimidating. The whole process of thinking of what you're going to wear when all eyes are going to be on everyone," he said. "As soon as I know the theme, I have ideas rumbling away [on what to wear], but sometimes, it can be surprisingly eleventh hour."