What to Know About the 2026 MET Gala Dress Code “Fashion Is Art”

The red carpet is about to unfurl at New York’s Metropolitan Museum (MET) for fashion’s annual “Super Bowl.”

This year's Met Gala marks the opening of the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, "Costume Art," which examines the “dressed body” as a recurring subject in art history. The showcase pairs garments with works from the museum’s permanent collection.

Much like in its past runs, the gala's dress code takes its cues from the exhibition's theme. As such, this year’s dress code, “Fashion is Art,” invites attendees to approach dressing as an expressive act, treating the body as a canvas while exploring fashion as a lived, physical medium.

The exhibition itself brings together more than 400 garments alongside artworks, positioning the “dressed body” at the center of its narrative. Expect interpretations that lean toward sculptural silhouettes, experimental materials, and conceptual designs.

On the carpet, this could translate to surrealist references, dimensional constructions, and even trompe-l’œil detailing, stepping away from conventional eveningwear in favor of more interpretive statements.

The evening will be led by Anna Wintour, with co-chairs Beyoncé—returning for the first time since 2016—Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams. Tech scion Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, will serve as honorary chairs and lead sponsors.

The Costume Art exhibit will debut within the newly unveiled Condé M. Nast Galleries, a 12,000-square-foot space located adjacent to the museum’s Great Hall. The exhibition opens to the public from May 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027.