At the 2026 Met Gala, 'Fashion is Art.' Here's what to expect

Published: Monday, May 4, 2026 at 11:00 am

Met Gala 2026: "Fashion is Art" Promises a Spectacle

The fashion world is gearing up for its most anticipated event: the 2026 Met Gala. This annual fundraiser, held on the first Monday in May, supports the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. The event is a high-profile, invitation-only affair, known for its celebrity attendees and extravagant displays. Last year's gala raised a record $31 million before the exhibition even opened, highlighting its significant impact.

The theme for the upcoming gala is "Fashion is Art," directly referencing the Costume Institute's spring 2026 exhibition, titled "Costume Art." The exhibition will showcase garments alongside art objects, exploring the intersection of fashion and artistic expression. The dress code encourages guests to interpret "Fashion is Art" by expressing their personal relationship with fashion as an art form and celebrating the dressed body throughout art history. The exhibition will feature approximately 400 garments, accessories, and artworks, organized by categories such as body type, including "the pregnant body."

The event will be held in the newly renovated Condé Nast Galleries, which will house the annual spring Costume Institute shows.

Vogue will host the official livestream of the gala, providing coverage of the red carpet arrivals. The livestream will begin at 6 p.m. Eastern / 3 p.m. Pacific on vogue.com and its digital platforms, including YouTube and TikTok. The livestream will be hosted by Ashley Graham, La La Anthony, and Cara Delevingne, with Emma Chamberlain returning as a special red carpet correspondent.

The guest list is expected to be filled with prominent figures from various industries. Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour will co-chair the gala. Zoë Kravitz and Anthony Vaccarello will co-chair the host committee, which includes Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Misty Copeland, Teyana Taylor, Gwendoline Christie, Sam Smith, and Angela Bassett. Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez, are honorary chairs and lead sponsors of the gala.

BNN's Perspective: The Met Gala continues to be a significant cultural event, drawing attention to fashion and art. While the event's fundraising efforts are commendable, the extreme wealth on display and the potential for perceived exclusivity raise questions about accessibility and broader societal values.

Keywords: Met Gala, Fashion is Art, Costume Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Vogue, Red Carpet, Celebrities, Exhibition, Dress Code, Fundraiser, Anna Wintour, Zendaya, Livestream

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