Met Gala Announces “Costume Art” Theme for 2026

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute has officially announced its 2026 exhibition and Met Gala theme: “Costume Art.” The boldly titled exhibition makes a powerful statement by positioning fashion not merely as adjacent to fine art, but as art itself—inherently connected to the human form.

Curator Andrew Bolton has designed the exhibition to elevate fashion’s status within the art world, challenging the long-held perception that fashion is a lower form of art compared to painting or sculpture. Through thematic organization and innovative presentation, the show will feature approximately 200 garments and accessories displayed alongside 200 artworks, primarily focusing on Western art.

Celebrating the Dressed Body

The exhibition addresses “the centrality of the dressed body in the museum’s vast collection,” according to Bolton. Rather than prioritizing fashion’s visual appeal alone, “Costume Art” emphasizes its materiality and the indivisible connection between our bodies and clothing. Sections will explore diverse bodily experiences, including the “Naked Body,” “Ageing Body,” “Pregnant Body,” “Anatomical Body,” and “Classical Body”—with representations often overlooked in traditional art exhibitions.

New Home for Fashion

The exhibition will coincide with the opening of the Condé Nast Galleries, a nearly 12,000-square-foot permanent space for the fashion collection located next to the Met’s Great Hall. This relocation marks the end of the fashion collection’s scattered placement throughout the museum. Notably, mannequins will feature mirrored faces designed by artist Samar Hejazi, bridging the gap between viewers and displays to foster empathy and compassion.

The Met Gala, scheduled for May 4, 2026, is expected to showcase art-inspired attire, with attendees likely embracing the theme through sheer dressing and sophisticated silhouettes that celebrate the body.