The annual Met Gala, a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, celebrates the fusion of art and fashion. Held on the first Monday in May, the event precedes the opening of the institute’s prominent spring exhibition titled “Costume Art.” This year’s exhibition delves into the interplay between bodies and attire, showcasing the connections between clothing and artifacts within the museum’s collection. The dress code, “Fashion is Art,” underscores this theme and establishes the ambiance for the red carpet affair.
Aside from generating significant funds for the New York City museum, the star-studded Met Gala has evolved into a highly anticipated gathering of fashion aficionados, renowned celebrities, and the affluent. The announcement that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, would serve as honorary chairs and key sponsors of this year’s event sparked criticism and calls for a boycott from certain quarters.
The discontent with the involvement of the billionaire couple builds on wider disapproval of the Met Gala’s emphasis on opulence and exclusivity. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a vocal critic of these dynamics, opted out of the event to focus on enhancing affordability in the city.
Despite the backlash, numerous luminaries graced the occasion. Notable figures such as Vogue’s global editorial director Anna Wintour, along with co-chairs Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams, were in attendance. The host committee members, including Sabrina Carpenter, Zoë Kravitz, Doja Cat, and Teyana Taylor, also joined the festivities, along with a diverse array of celebrities from the realms of fashion, film, television, music, and sports.
Reflecting the event’s theme, the red carpet showcased striking, art-inspired ensembles, statuesque outfits, and intricate headpieces and masks. Noteworthy mentions include actor Sarah Paulson donning a mask fashioned from a U.S. dollar bill.
The 2026 Met Gala red carpet boasted a myriad of captivating looks, including Beyoncé’s embellished skeleton gown, Sabrina Carpenter’s film strip-adorned dress, Connor Storrie’s polka-dot ensemble, Serena Williams’ silver mini dress, Emma Chamberlain’s colourful gown, and Ashley Graham’s mesh attire, among others. Each outfit epitomized the fusion of art and fashion, captivating onlookers with its unique aesthetic and creativity.