Celebrities displayed their sartorial elegance as they graced the red carpet for the 2026 Met Gala in New York City on Monday. Supermodel Ashley Graham, 38, was among the early arrivals at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, stunning in a cream dress by Dimitra Petsa of Di Petsa that accentuated her renowned curves.
The Theme and Dress Code
The theme of this year's event, widely regarded as the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets,' is 'Costume Art,' with the dress code 'Fashion Is Art.' This dress code invites A-list attendees to explore how designers use the human body as a blank canvas. Leading the charge is a powerhouse trio of co-chairs: Beyonce, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams, joining forces with Vogue's global editorial director Anna Wintour to oversee fashion's biggest night. It marks the first time tennis superstar Williams has co-chaired the gala, while Kidman previously co-chaired in 2003 and 2005, and Beyonce was an honorary chair in 2013.
The Exhibition and Sponsors
The New York City museum will pair historical and contemporary garments from the Costume Institute for the exhibition, loosely divided into three categories: the classical and nude body, aging and pregnant bodies, and the anatomical body. The exhibit, set to unveil the Met's sprawling new Conde M. Nast Galleries, has been made possible by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez, who are the lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs. French luxury fashion house Yves Saint Laurent is also sponsoring the exhibit.
'The title 'Costume Art' refers to the history of the costume institute,' said Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute's curator, at a press conference. Bolton, who selects the theme, noted that fashion has 'the status of art because of, and not in spite of, its relation to the body.'
Host Committee and Attendees
The 2026 Met Gala also features a host committee including co-chairs Anthony Vaccarello and Zoe Kravitz, along with members Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Angela Bassett, Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, and more. Cara Delevingne also turned heads, flashing her sideboob in a sheer black gown with a train.
Significance and Funding
The Met Gala is a major revenue generator for the museum, providing the Costume Institute with its primary source of funding. The 2026 Met Gala marks a significant moment as it is the first since Wintour technically stepped back from one of her famed roles at Vogue. In June 2025, Wintour announced she was stepping down as editor-in-chief of American Vogue after 37 years, appointing Chloe Malle as the new head of editorial content at Vogue. Wintour has been incredibly hands-on with the Met Gala over the years and is credited with transforming it into the splashy A-list affair it is today, beloved by celebrities like Rihanna, the Kardashians, Blake Lively, Zendaya, and more.
Last year, many stars did not attend the Met Gala, with some speculating it was to avoid a faux pas due to the theme 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,' which centered on the political and aesthetic constructs of Black dandyism. 'Costume Art' will run from May 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027, following the Met Gala on May 4.
