The 2026 Met Gala Theme Has Been Announced — Here’s What …

The Met Gala has officially revealed its 2026 theme, and fashion fans can finally start the countdown.

At a morning press briefing on Monday, November 17, attended by Marie Claire, Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton stood alongside Anna Wintour to confirm that next year’s event will center on “Costume Art.”

The theme aligns with a major update inside the museum: the opening of the new 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries. These permanent galleries expand the Costume Institute’s footprint and will launch with an exhibition exploring how clothing and the human form intersect across the Met’s collection.

Bolton explained that the installation will showcase garments next to artworks—including paintings, sculptures, and photographs—to emphasize how clothing has shaped and been shaped by the body over time.

To organize the exhibition, Bolton divided the pieces into three distinct sections: bodies commonly seen in art, bodies that have historically been overlooked, and the anatomical body. He also noted that mirrored mannequins and cast figures will be used throughout the space to help visitors “reflect on the lived experience” of the bodies represented.

The 2026 Met Gala will take place on Monday, May 4, keeping with the long-standing tradition of the first Monday in May. Viewers can tune in to the livestream on Vogue’s website or via Vogue’s social channels. The carpet opens at 4:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET.

The co-hosts for this year’s gala remain unannounced, but one significant detail is confirmed: Saint Laurent is the event’s lead fashion sponsor. That places the spotlight on the brand’s ambassadors—Zoë Kravitz, Hailey Bieber, Austin Butler, and Rosé of Blackpink—who are widely expected to attend and are considered strong candidates for co-chair seats.

As for the guest list, nothing has been officially released. However, two attendees are already confirmed: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. The couple will return as supporters of the Costume Institute’s exhibition and the gala, giving them guaranteed seats on the carpet.

The official dress code for the Met Gala, however, is still under wraps. Based on hints from the Costume Institute, attendees may see a dress code centered on interpreting the body as art, with references ranging from Charles James to Renata Buzzo and historical works by artists like Albrecht Dürer. Full details will be released closer to the event.