Met Gala “Costume Art” Theme, “Fashion Is Art” Dress Code Explained

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While most people are decorating for the holidays, highly sought-after stylist Law Roach starts planning Zendaya’s look for the Met Gala, the most important event in the fashion world.

As a lifestyle expert, I can tell you planning a Met Gala look is a serious undertaking! It usually begins about five months beforehand. The process really starts with the designer and what vision they have for their client. Once that’s established, it’s all about collaboration – we discuss inspiration, and then I bring those ideas back to my team to start bringing it to life.

Around this time each year, Anna Wintour and her team reveal the theme for the Costume Institute’s annual benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Met’s 2026 “Costume Art” exhibition will showcase both historical and contemporary clothing alongside artwork from the past 5,000 years. It promises to be a stunning display, with exceptional pieces making their grand entrance up the museum’s iconic steps.

The main focus of the exhibition—which also celebrates the opening of the new 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries wing—is clothing on the body, according to curator Andrew Bolton, as he explained in Vogue’s November announcement.

He pointed out that fashion is the unifying element across all the museum’s collections and galleries. This realization – that clothing and how we present ourselves are central to understanding everything on display – was the starting point for the exhibition. Even depictions of nudity, he explained, aren’t truly ‘naked,’ but rather express cultural meanings and beliefs through how the body is presented.

Stars like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Nicole Kidman, Kim Kardashian, and Sabrina Carpenter, known for their fashion sense, will definitely be wearing high-fashion outfits at the exhibit.

To match the artistic theme, the Met Gala’s organizers chose “Fashion Is Art” as the dress code for the event.

According to the planning team, the event encourages guests to share their personal connection to fashion as a way of artistic expression and to appreciate how clothing has been portrayed in art throughout history.

So, basically, it’s wide open to interpretation—much like the most stunning works of art and style. 

Designers offered a wide range of looks, from gowns sculpted like the statues in the museum to revealing, sheer outfits inspired by the human form, and flowing dresses reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman art.

And Roach anticipates at least one invitee recreating a literal masterpiece. 

He told TopMob News in March that he wouldn’t be surprised to see someone dressed as the Mona Lisa, and he thought it was likely someone would.

Before our art exhibition opens on May 4th, we’re sharing a look back at some of the most beloved pieces we’ve showcased in previous years.

Rihanna’s stunning gown by Guo Pei was truly majestic, like something a queen would wear. It’s so incredible that it’s destined to become a legendary fashion moment.

Beyoncé always makes a statement on the red carpet, and the 2015 Met Ball was no exception. She stunned everyone in a gorgeous Givenchy Haute Couture gown.

Carmen Sandiego, err, Priyanka, wears a Ralph Lauren trench dress that’s classic but with a twist.

Solange’s outfit from the 2018 Met Gala is famous for a lot of reasons. She perfectly captured the night’s theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” even carrying Florida water in a beautiful, crystal-netted bag. And incredibly, her stunning black latex dress by Iris van Herpen was actually chosen by her fans in a Twitter poll! It was a truly iconic look.

The 2017 Met Gala theme, focusing on Rei Kawakubo and Comme des Garçons, explored ideas of deconstruction. The Off-White gown worn by the model perfectly embodied this concept, while also honoring the designer’s work.

Blake Lively looks absolutely stunning in this incredibly glamorous, custom-made Versace dress and sparkling Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. It’s hard to believe how good she looks!

The 2017 Met Gala was all about making a statement, and the star of The Greatest Showman certainly delivered with a vibrant, parrot-printed Dolce & Gabbana gown.

The supermodel turned heads on the red carpet in a stunning dress that looked like a beautiful stained-glass window. The incredible design was created by Versace.

Cardi B dressed to impress, showcasing a stunning Moschino outfit with a dramatic headpiece inspired by Catholic imagery.

The body positive icon brings the heat to the 2017 Met Gala with her custom-made H&M gown.

The singer stunned in a bold red Versace outfit. Featuring a beaded dragon and sheer fabric, the look was truly striking!

I still remember when Adriana Lima wore that incredible Viktor & Rolf gown to the 2005 Met Ball! It was such a bold and playful look – a real statement piece, and she absolutely rocked it. It’s definitely one of my all-time favorite Met Gala moments.

As a style enthusiast, I was absolutely captivated by the recent look! The supermodel paid a beautiful tribute to the late Alexander McQueen by wearing a complete design from his collection. The gown itself was a work of art – imagine delicate white tassels, incredibly detailed embroidery, and the softest feather accents. It was a truly breathtaking homage to a fashion legend.

Katy Perry really commits to a look! She looked stunning and elegant at the 2018 Met Ball, wearing a sparkling gold dress complete with impressive, large angel wings.

Staying true to the exhibition’s theme of “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between,” Lily embraced the designer’s signature exaggerated shapes. Her stunning Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown perfectly captured the look.

Hands down, the best look of the 2017 event. She’s not the Met Ball queen for nothin’!

At the 2005 Met Gala, fashion model and Visionaire co-founder Cecilia Dean paid tribute to Chanel with a stunning gown inspired by Marie Antoinette. The dress featured elaborate gold details, a delicate pink silk ribbon, and dramatic ruffles, creating a truly eye-catching look.

Sarah Jessica Parker, a regular at the Met Gala, turned heads on the red carpet with a stunning outfit from H&M and a dramatic hat by Philip Treacy. The look perfectly captured the night’s theme, “China: Through the Looking Glass.”

Kim Kardashian looked stunning in a unique white Roberto Cavalli gown. The dress featured a dramatic feather train, detailed beading, and a sheer top – a truly unforgettable look!

Rihanna perfectly captured the night’s theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” with her stunning Maison Margiela outfit, which included a jewel-covered look and a tiara reminiscent of a pope.

Kylie Jenner stunned in a sheer, nude Versace dress, completely covered in sparkling jewels.

The singer of “Lust for Life” and her co-star chose outfits inspired by religion for the event, with Leto looking like Jesus and Lana resembling the Virgin Mary. It was a striking and meaningful fashion statement!

This stunning Valentino ball gown, covered in crystals, feels like something from a fairy tale. Though the theme of the exhibit (“American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”) was challenging, the Ocean’s 8 star absolutely nailed her look.

At the 2018 Met Gala, the singer-songwriter stunned in a striking black and white gown and jacket designed by Marc Jacobs, giving off an ‘electric lady’ vibe.

Eva Longoria stunned on the red carpet in a dramatic, ruffled Marchesa gown. The rich purple color made the already beautiful dress even more striking.

The supermodel sparkled at the 2012 event in a stunning, custom-made gold sequin gown, complete with a matching turban and clutch designed by Rachel Zoe.

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2026-05-04 12:18