The Met Gala just dropped a major update ahead of fashion’s biggest night: the official 2026 dress code is “Fashion is Art.” And this year, it’s not just a catchy phrase—it directly mirrors the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, “Costume Art.”
According to People, the connection between the Met Gala dress code and theme is intentional. Both are rooted in the same idea: positioning clothing as more than style—placing it within the context of art, history, and the human body.
Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute’s curator, explained that the exhibition explores “the centrality of the dressed body in the museum’s vast collection.” In other words, garments aren’t just displayed—they’re treated as part of a larger artistic conversation that spans centuries.
That philosophy is expected to shape how guests approach the Met Gala red carpet. With “Fashion is Art” as the directive, attendees will likely interpret their looks as living, wearable pieces, drawing on fine art references, sculptural silhouettes, and archival fashion.
The exhibition pairs clothing with paintings, sculptures, and artifacts spanning 5,000 years, reinforcing the idea that fashion has always existed alongside traditional art forms.
Bolton also emphasized that the exhibition highlights how clothing connects every gallery inside the museum. “What connects every curatorial department… is fashion, or the dressed body,” he said, noting that even representations of the nude are shaped by cultural meaning.
The exhibition is structured around three categories: bodies frequently depicted in art, bodies that have historically been overlooked—such as aging or pregnant figures—and the universal anatomical form.
Beyond the dress code, the rest of the 2026 Met Gala details are now falling into place. The event is scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026, returning to its long-standing slot on the first Monday in May.
As always, it will take place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where the iconic staircase will once again serve as the focal point of the red carpet.
This year also marks a major milestone for the Costume Institute. The “Costume Art” exhibition will debut inside the museum’s new Condé M. Nast Galleries, a nearly 12,000-square-foot permanent space located near the Great Hall. The exhibition opens to the public on May 10, 2026, just days after the gala, and will run through January 2027.
The 2026 Met Gala will be led by a high-profile group of co-chairs: Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. Beyoncé’s involvement is especially notable, marking her first appearance at the Met Gala in a decade.
While the full guest list remains under wraps, the Met Gala typically brings together around 450 attendees across fashion, film, music, sports, and politics. Invitations are still tightly controlled, with designers and brands securing tables and dressing their guests in custom looks that align with the theme and dress code.