The theme for the 2026 Met Gala has been unveiled, promising to put fashion squarely at the center of art.
The annual Costume Institute Benefit, one of the fashion world’s most anticipated events, will take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York. This year’s Gala will coincide with the opening of the spring 2026 exhibition at The Met, welcoming around 120 guests from across the globe.
Titled “Costume Art,” the theme will explore the relationship between clothing and the human form throughout history. The exhibition will trace Western art from prehistory to the present, highlighting recurring body types and how garments have influenced artistic representations of the human figure — and vice versa.
Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge of The Costume Institute, explained that the exhibition celebrates the dressed body in every corner of the Museum. From classical nudes to modern interpretations, each gallery connects fashion and art in its own distinct way. While the Gala’s dress code has not yet been revealed, the theme hints at a potential focus on the body in attendees’ attire.
The exhibition will also debut the new Condé M. Nast Galleries, nearly 12,000 square feet of space beside The Met’s Great Hall. Here, historical and contemporary garments will be displayed alongside works from across the Museum, creating a conversation between fashion and art. The galleries were made possible through the support of Condé Nast, with additional contributions from Thom Browne, Michael Kors and Lance Le Pere, Saint Laurent, Tory Burch LLC, and others.
Opening to the public on May 10, 2026, and running through January 10, 2027, the exhibition will showcase clothing as more than decoration — presenting it as an artistic medium that reflects culture, social norms, and personal expression.
The 2026 Met Gala co-chairs, honorary chairs, and Host Committee will be announced in the coming months. As always, proceeds from the event will support The Costume Institute’s exhibitions, acquisitions, and operations.
