The Met Gala's 2026 dress code, 'Fashion is Art,' has sparked widespread speculation among fashion insiders. The theme, tied to the Costume Institute's spring exhibition 'Costume Art,' explores depictions of the dressed body through categories such as 'the naked body,' 'classic body,' 'pregnant body,' and 'ageing body.' Guests are encouraged to treat their bodies as blank canvases.
Naked Dresses Expected to Dominate
Celebrity stylist KJ Moody, who is dressing VIPs for the event, predicts a surge in sheer and lace dresses. 'Naked dressing' has become a red-carpet staple, with examples like Julia Fox's transparent Dilara Findikoglu gown at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscars party and Chappell Roan's nipple-suspended Mugler dress at this year's Grammys. Moody expects homages to iconic moments, such as Beyoncé's 2012 sheer Givenchy look with a feather train.
Unconventional Silhouettes
Moody also foresees celebrities embracing sculptural, oversized silhouettes inspired by John Galliano's 2003 Dior couture show, which featured voluminous kimonos, hoopskirts, and tent-like structures. 'Not all gowns need to be form-fitting,' he notes.
Art-Inspired Fashion
Some guests may interpret the theme literally, wearing dresses printed with famous paintings like the Mona Lisa or sequined jackets depicting Fragonard's 'The Swing.' Moody predicts 'sculptures or interpretations of art on the wall' and collaborations with visual artists.
Archival Revivals
Stylist Mickey Freeman expects rare archival pieces to debut, particularly from Thierry Mugler's 1980s and 1990s collections. 'Mugler's rare archival pieces never see the light of day. I think they could finally be getting their moment,' he says.
Anatomical Fashion
Freeman anticipates anatomical fashion, referencing Elsa Schiaparelli's 1938 Skeleton Dress and Alexander McQueen's 2023 'Anatomy' collection. 'The human body is beautiful, and it is a work of art,' he remarks.
Innovative Materials
Freeman suggests designers might use unconventional materials like clay to create 'cement suits' mimicking Renaissance sculptures, inspired by Tyla's sand-covered Balmain gown at the 2024 Met Gala. 'I would love to see some kind of cement or just unconventional materials used to make a garment,' he adds.
