The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute is set to launch a groundbreaking new exhibit, "Costume Art," at Monday's Met Gala, aiming to reclaim body types that have been historically ignored in art. Curated by Andrew Bolton, the exhibit examines the dressed body through centuries of art history, moving beyond classical ideals to celebrate diversity.
A New Space for Fashion
The exhibit inaugurates the new Conde M. Nast galleries, located off the Great Hall, making fashion more accessible to visitors. The space will house future fashion exhibits, with "Costume Art" running for eight months.
Celebrating Body Diversity
The show features new mannequins based on real people with varied body types. Highlights include a section on the pregnant body, featuring Georgina Godley's "pregnancy dress" from 1986 paired with a Degas sculpture, and the corpulent body, with Michaela Stark's corsetry challenging stereotypes.
The Disabled Body
Paralympian Aimee Mullins wears Alexander McQueen prosthetic boots, while activist Sinéad Burke poses in a Burberry trench coat and a Vivienne Westwood dress. Aariana Rose Philip, who uses a wheelchair, is featured in denim shorts with a slogan. A coat by Nadia Pinkney addresses Alzheimer's, paired with a de Kooning lithograph.
Aging and Mortality
The second gallery explores commonalities like aging and mortality, including a hoodie reading "I'M RETIRED" and Vivienne Westwood's "Martyr to Love" jacket depicting blood, paired with Dürer's "Man of Sorrows."
"Costume Art" opens to the public on May 10 and runs through January 10, 2027.
