Baz Luhrmann, the acclaimed film director, made a striking fashion statement as he arrived at the 2026 Met Gala on Monday alongside his wife, Catherine Martin. The 63-year-old filmmaker channelled the iconic Elvis Presley, sweeping his grey hair back into a sleek, combed style with a subtle mullet at the back.
Fashion Highlights at the Met Gala
Celebrating the opening of the Costume Art exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Luhrmann wore a tailored black suit adorned with eye-catching pastel blue cuffs. Diamond cuff links sparkled at his wrists, and a massive blue stone on his pinkie finger matched his tinted glasses. Meanwhile, his wife Catherine, a 61-year-old costume designer, opted for a conservative black gown featuring pastel blue panels and sparkling embellishments. She smiled broadly as she cuddled up to her husband, wearing her trademark bold blue-framed glasses.
The Theme and Co-Chairs
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, commonly known as the Met Gala, occurs annually on the first Monday in May. This year's theme is Costume Art, with the dress code being Fashion Is Art, encouraging A-list attendees to explore how designers use the human body as a blank canvas. The event is co-chaired by a powerhouse trio: Beyonce, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams, alongside Vogue's global editorial director Anna Wintour. This marks the first time tennis star Venus Williams has co-chaired the gala, while Kidman previously co-chaired in 2003 and 2005, and Beyonce served as an honorary chair in 2013.
Exhibition Details
The exhibition at the New York City museum pairs historical and contemporary garments from the Costume Institute, divided into three categories: the classical and nude body, ageing and pregnant bodies, and the anatomical body. The exhibit, which will unveil the Met's new Condé Nast Galleries, is sponsored by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez, who serve as lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs. French luxury fashion house Yves Saint Laurent is also sponsoring the exhibit.
Host Committee and Duration
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. The Costume Art exhibition will run from May 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027, following the Met Gala on May 4. The Met Gala is a significant fundraiser for the museum, providing the Costume Institute with its primary source of funding. This year's gala is particularly notable as it is the first since Anna Wintour stepped back from one of her key roles at Vogue.
