IN CONVERSATION WITH GUSTAV MAGNAR WITZØE
interview by JANA LETONJA
Gustav Magnar Witzøe returns to the spotlight with a growing presence at the intersection of fashion and philanthropy, making him a compelling voice around the MET Gala. A familiar face at the event over recent years, he has steadily evolved his role within the global fashion conversation while advancing the mission of his W-Initiative foundation, focused on creating meaningful social impact. Balancing public visibility with purpose-driven work, he represents a new generation redefining influence through both style and substance.
How would you describe your relationship with the MET Gala over the past few years?
Over the past few years, the MET Gala has become much more than just a red carpet moment for me. It’s been an opportunity to explore creativity, connect with inspiring and talented people across fashion and culture, and express different sides of myself through design.
What does attending the MET Gala represent to you today?
Today, attending the MET Gala represents creative freedom and cultural conversation. It’s one of the few places where fashion truly becomes art in its purest form, and where individuality is celebrated on a global stage. For me personally, it’s also a chance to step outside of the business world and fully immerse myself in a creative environment.
How has your perspective on fashion evolved since your first appearance?
When I first attended, I was mainly fascinated by the spectacle of fashion. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate it as a language, more like something that communicates identity, emotion, craftsmanship, and even values. I now look at fashion with much more depth and intention, but I of course still appreciate the fun, fantasy, and creativity that make it so special.
In what ways do you see fashion as a platform for storytelling or influence?
Fashion allows people to communicate without words. A look can tell a story about personality, culture, or emotion. Because fashion reaches such a wide audience, it also has the power to influence conversations around important topics like creativity, inclusivity, and social change. At its best, fashion reflects the moment we live in while also inspiring people to think differently.
How do you approach personal style for an event as iconic as the MET Gala?
I always try to balance elegance with a sense of fantasy. The MET Gala is one of the few occasions where you can really push artistic boundaries, so I enjoy collaborating closely with designers to create something that feels authentic, expressive, and memorable. The process itself is one of the most exciting parts for me.
What have been some of your most memorable Met Gala moments?
Walking the carpet for the first time was unforgettable, but honestly, some of the most memorable moments happen behind the scenes. From the fittings to the creative conversations with designers, and seeing everyone’s interpretations come to life, that’s what makes the journey memorable. There’s also a very unique energy inside the museum that makes the evening feel incredibly special.
How has your role within the fashion world grown over time?
I think my role has evolved naturally. At first, I was simply attending and exploring the industry, but over time I’ve built stronger relationships within fashion and become more creatively involved. I’ve also become more conscious of how visibility and influence can be used responsibly and with purpose.
Can you tell us about the vision behind the W-Initiative foundation, and what inspired you to launch it?
The vision behind W-Initiative is to create opportunities for people who may not otherwise have access to them. I’ve always believed that real impact comes from investing in people, especially children and young adults, and helping them build better futures through education, healthcare, safety, and long-term support.
What impact has the foundation had so far?
We’re still growing, but I’m proud of what we’ve already been able to accomplish. We’ve helped provide sanitary resources and support to more than 25.000 children and young people through schools and local initiatives, and we also founded a rescue center in Fiji dedicated to supporting young women in vulnerable situations. A lot of our work focuses on helping provide access to basic needs and opportunities that should be available to everyone, but unfortunately often are not.
Our goal has always been meaningful, measurable impact rather than visibility, and we’re focused on building initiatives that create long-term value for communities.
How do you decide which causes or projects to support?
The main focus for us is helping children and young adults have access to better opportunities in life, especially when it comes to education, healthcare, and safety. It’s become increasingly important for us to support organisations that are science-based, effective, and transparent in how they operate.
In philanthropy, there are unfortunately many projects that don’t fully achieve their goals, so we look for partners who genuinely believe in their mission and invest their resources where they can create real impact. I also prefer supporting initiatives where I can be personally engaged and involved over the long term.
How do you use your platform to drive meaningful change?
The biggest way I do that is through W-Initiative. I try to use my platform thoughtfully by supporting conversations and initiatives that genuinely matter to me. Visibility can be powerful, but I believe actions matter more than appearances. Whether through philanthropy, partnerships, or raising awareness, I want what I do publicly to have real substance behind it.
What does the future of your involvement in fashion look like?
Fashion will definitely continue to be part of my life, but I’m increasingly interested in projects that combine creativity with purpose. I’m drawn to collaborations that feel culturally relevant, innovative, and aligned with my values. For me, the most exciting projects are the ones that go beyond aesthetics and create meaningful conversations or impact.
What’s next for you and W-Initiative?
Right now, we’re very focused on identifying and supporting effective projects with measurable impact. One of the key areas we’re concentrating on is child mortality, especially as recent global data has shown deeply concerning trends. We’re working to collaborate with organisations, experts, and different partners to help address this issue in a meaningful way.
I strongly believe that when people and organisations share the same objective and work together, real progress becomes possible. Personally, I’m also excited to continue evolving creatively while balancing business, philanthropy, and family life in a way that feels grounded and meaningful.
TEAM CREDITS:
photography OLE MARTIN HALVORSEN
styling and concept AMAR FAIZ
production MATTEO RAVASI
hair MARK ALAN ESPARZA
makeup RYANN CARTER
photography assistants MUMA GENC & RUBEN G CALDERON
post production KIFFA
