Think back to the Met Gala on May 5.

I’m sure the only reason you have heard of this event is because of the countless pictures and headlines of celebrities wearing the breathtaking designer gowns. It is not an awards night, and many are confused as to why this event is regarded one of the biggest and most exclusive events in New York, hosted by the ultimate source of fashion, Vogue Magazine and its editor Anna Wintour.

The Met Gala, formally known as the Costume Institute Gala, is actually an annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and its Costume Institute. Millions are raised each year, but ask anyone or search google and the results will only be “Who Wore it Better?” or the most recent controversy, “Jay Z, Beyoncé, Solange Issue Statement After Met Gala Fight.”

The truth is, the fashion industry is one of the biggest and most profitable industries in our country, with only short-term products that generate attention and media coverage when the styles are in season and people are interested to see what the current stars are wearing.

According to The Guardian, the industry is worth $1.5 trillion. There are thousands of talented designers who make this profit by their name only, presenting their latest looks on the runway and by marketing through celebrities. However, as a fashion fanatic and love, I cannot complain. I will admit that I do pay attention to all the seasons and my favorite designers, but I also realize the money behind this industry and how much of it is actually donated to fundraisers or other organizations. Some of the greatest designers actually do contribute generous amounts of money to organizations, but rarely do we ever hear about their donations.

Ralph Lauren, a household name recognized by most people, has founded many organizations that have focused on education, healthcare, art and cancer. According to The World of Celebrity Giving, The Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation is designed for higher education alongside healthcare programs for needy communities. Also according to the website, he donated $13 million alone in 1998 to the Smithsonian Institution. Other charitable works include establishing the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and investing in other charities as well.

Karl Lagerfeld, the head designer of the fashion house Chanel, recently offered an internship opportunity to the highest bidder at the The Naked Heart Foundation. Founded by russian model Natalia Vodianova, the organization builds parks and playgrounds in urban areas of Russia, even around hospitals and orphanages. Lagerfeld would later on donate the money raised to this foundation.

Loui Vuitton, another famous household name, formed a partnership with SOS Children’s Villages since 2010 and has developed a program called “Partnership for Children’s Future,” focused on helping and shaping the future of disadvantaged children all across the globe. According to SOS Children’s Villages International, they have been helping in countries where children have no other choice than to work, and have made education, learning and security the main focus of their goals.

Giorgio Armani, the founder of the Italian fashion House Giorgio Armani, is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He has also supported many charities including the American Foundation for AIDS Research, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The list goes on, with many famous designers who do not get recognized as widely for their charity work. It is an absolute fact the industry simply does not give enough as they could, and some designers only give back for the publicity. However, those that truly care are known worldwide. Ralph Lauren is one example, and sadly there aren’t many designers much like him. Nevertheless, some of these fashion events such as the Met Gala allow some of the best celebrities and fashion designers to contribute a generous amount of money. Even if it is the Costume Institute, there is a reason behind the star-studded event, and the public does not pay attention enough to see the real purpose behind the exclusive fundraiser.

The fashion industry still makes a great amount of profit each year, and while they are not known for their charity work, there are many designers in this industry that have other focuses in their life. Some are concerned about education, others are concerned about research and medical advancement. While it will always be a norm to care what the celebrities are wearing, especially at fundraisers such as the Met Gala, each event has a purpose and most of the time they are not being recognized.