The Met Gala 2026 is set to return on May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with this year’s edition centred on the theme “Costume Art”. The accompanying dress code, “Fashion Is Art”, invites guests to interpret clothing as a form of creative expression.
The gala will coincide with a major spring exhibition at the museum’s Costume Institute, marking the opening of its first permanent gallery space. Curated by Andrew Bolton, the showcase will explore the role of the dressed body across centuries of artistic production, bringing together garments with paintings, sculptures and artefacts from the museum’s wider collection.
This year’s event will be led by a high-profile group of co-chairs including Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour. The evening is expected to draw a global roster of celebrities and designers.
Viewers will be able to follow the red carpet live through Vogue’s digital platforms, including YouTube and TikTok, with coverage beginning in the evening.
The “Costume Art” exhibition will open to the public on May 10 and run until January next year.
This year’s Met Gala will feature more than 200 mannequins designed to reflect a wider range of body types, signalling a shift towards greater inclusivity in museum display practices.
