Lauren Sánchez Bezos appeared alongside her friend Anna Wintour in New York on Monday to unveil the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new Costume Art exhibit, just hours before the Met Gala. The event, sponsored by Sánchez Bezos and her billionaire husband Jeff Bezos, has stirred controversy among anti-capitalist activists.
Press Conference Highlights
Wintour, who has chaired the Met Gala since 1995, welcomed Sánchez Bezos to the stage, praising her as the only person who could "wear a bias cut dress while banking a helicopter." She described Sánchez Bezos as a "force for joy" and "generosity," adding that she and Jeff Bezos genuinely care about giving back. Wintour noted that Sánchez Bezos actively participated in meetings, bringing enthusiasm and good ideas.
In her two-minute address, Sánchez Bezos discussed the Bezos Earth Fund's support for scientists developing sustainable fabrics. "The future of that art deserves investment," she said. "We're reimagining what fabric can be — sustainable silk grown in labs, it is happening." She also praised Wintour, saying, "No one has done more to champion fashion as an art form... thank you, Anna."
Backlash and Boycott
The Bezos family's involvement has sparked a boycott campaign by the activist group Everyone Hates Elon, which distributed flyers across New York City reading "Boycott the Bezos Met Gala." Critics accuse the Amazon founder and his wife of buying influence in culture, media, and politics. Wintour previously defended the couple, telling CNN that Sánchez Bezos would be a wonderful asset to the museum and the event.
Rumors have circulated that the Bezoses sought to acquire Condé Nast, Vogue's publisher, though Sánchez Bezos denied this. A 2025 Vogue digital cover featuring her in a wedding gown was seen as a gesture from Wintour.
The Exhibition: 'Fashion is Art'
The gala's dress code is "Fashion is Art," and the accompanying exhibit, opening May 10, explores the centrality of the dressed body. It is curated around thematic body types: "the naked body," "classic body," "pregnant body," "aging body," and "disabled body." The exhibit features sculptural and sheer designs from established and emerging designers.
A standout piece is by Australian designer Michaela Stark, who uses plus-sized mannequins and deconstructed corsets to challenge traditional female forms. The "aging body" section includes a gray hoodie dress by VETEMENTS emblazoned with "I'M RETIRED. (This is as dressed up as I get.)"
Each garment is paired with an ancient artifact representing historical depictions of the female body, such as Greek goddess statues and medieval busts. Every mannequin, created by sculptor Samar Hejazi, features a flat reflective surface instead of a head, encouraging visitors to see themselves.
Inclusivity and Representation
The exhibition is the museum's most body-positive and inclusive show. The "disabled body" section demonstrates how fashion houses like Burberry adapted clothes for disability activist Sinéad Burke. It also features a Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren dress paired with an ancient Egyptian statue of a dancing dwarf. One mannequin, based on Paralympian Aimee Mullins, wears Alexander McQueen wooden prosthetic boots, paired with John Gutmann's 1965 sculpture "The Amputee."
As the Met Gala unfolds Monday evening, the red carpet is expected to reflect the exhibit's themes. The show runs through January 2027.
