Met Gala 2026, theme 'Costume Art' and 'Fashion Is Art' dress code

I see we are taking costume as art QUITE literally

There wouldn't have to be a big fancy gala if the Costume Institute wasn't having to fund itself separately from the rest of the Met because people don't value clothes as art or history.

It’s the first Monday in May, so that means it’s time for the Met Gala and my annual thread explaining the theme for the uninitiated. This year’s exhibition theme is “Costume Art," and the dress code for attendees is “Fashion is Art.” #MetGala #MetGala2026

Sorry to say that this #MetGala yellow carpet is very underwhelming for me. They had the opportunity to really take it up a notch with the Costume Art theme, and a lot of people have failed so far. But a’las we carry on. 💃🏽💃🏽

This year’s Met Gala (tonight) is controversial because of the decision to name Jeff Bezos and wife as co-chairs. The legitimate defense of the gala over the years has been that it funds the budget of the museum’s Costume Institute. This story has interesting info about that tho archive.ph/nlOgg

Don’t let Bezos’ financial contribution destroy the fact that the actual show that the Met Gala is supporting this year (Costume Art) is featuring the work of some incredible queer, trans, and disabled artists. There are some truly spectacular, groundbreaking works being shown this year.

reminder to everyone who’s going to whine about the met gala: 1) fashion is art 2) the obscene amount of money paid/donated by attendees funds the costume institute. they are literally funding the arts rn.

in case you didn't know—there's an exhibit theme (costume art) and a met gala dress code (fashion is art), and the first one feeds the second! the name of the theme is also just a name and doesn't wholly capture what it's about because the theme is actually a thesis. in this case, the dressed body

Ok I found the theme for the 2026 #MetGala This year's theme, "Costume Art," explores the centrality of the dressed body-pairing over 400 historical and contemporary garments with artworks spanning 5,000 years. With a dress code of "Fashion Is Art," guests are expected to treat the body as a canvas

happy met gala day if art and/or the wealthy elite interests you! did youuuu know the costume institute at the met was previously housed in its BASEMENT and recently got the metaphorical penthouse treatment and expanded to prime real estate in its great hall? nice!

Okay but on May 4th and with the whole thing being costume art this is making me giggle a little

The Met Gala is basically a fancy fundraiser for the Costume Institute of the Met. The reason the CI is not integral part of the museum is both because for many years fashion was not considered "art" but mostly because the CI was founded by women, who never had much power in museums./2

Here’s a theme/dress code explainer: Exhibition theme: Costume Art Met Gala dress code: Fashion is Art Through line: the dressed body (classical, reclaimed, pregnant, anatomical, abstract)

What I’m wearing to the Met Gala. Maybe a little too on-the nose . . . "This year's theme is 'Costume Art,' and the dress code is 'Fashion is Art'".

General reminder that the Met Gala is a fundraising miracle that is the corner stone of the Met Costume Institute that preserves precious works of art while employing hundreds of artisans. NOW SHOW ME THE FASHION. 🥰