The Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual fundraising event, the Met Gala, unfurled its sartorial tapestry last night, May 4, 2026, under the thematic banner of "Costume Art." The gala's dress code, "Fashion is Art," invited attendees to explore their "own relationship to fashion as an embodied art form." This year's event, however, was not solely defined by the elaborate ensembles gracing the red carpet. Notable controversy surfaced due to the event's primary sponsors, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, with protests reportedly staged around New York City.
The night saw a parade of celebrities from film, television, music, and fashion, each offering their interpretation of the theme.
Interpretations of "Costume Art"
From nods to classical artistry to bold explorations of the human form, the celebrity interpretations of "Fashion is Art" spanned a wide spectrum.
Emma Chamberlain arrived in a custom Mugler creation, described as a gauzy, watercolor-like design, referencing Impressionist art.
Co-chair Venus Williams drew inspiration from a painted portrait of herself from the National Portrait Gallery, translating it into a Swarovski gown.
Nicole Kidman and her daughter Sunday Rose Kidman Urban were both clad in Dior. Kidman's look was a red sequined Chanel gown, accented with a feathered peplum and sleeves.
Camila Morrone presented a variation on the white dress, complemented by a long black cape.
Irina Shayk showcased her physique in a bejeweled bra paired with a floor-length black skirt.
Naomi Osaka sported a Robert Wun gown and headpiece adorned with petal-like embellishments, complemented by red gloves.
Maya Hawke chose a gray ball gown featuring black floral appliques.
Ashley Graham was seen in a Di Petsa design.
Gwendoline Christie appeared in a look by Giles Deacon.
Host Committee and Notable Attendees
The evening's proceedings were helmed by co-chairs Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, who also serves as Condé Nast's chief content officer and Vogue's global editorial director. A host committee, including co-chairs Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz, further populated the event's leadership.
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Other notable figures seen on the carpet included:
Cara Delevingne
Chase Sui Wonders
Patrick Schwarzenegger
Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster
Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman
Amanda Seyfried
Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor
Rebecca Hall and Morgan Spector
Lauren Sánchez Bezos
The event supports the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with this year's coinciding exhibition marking the beginning of new permanent fashion galleries within the museum. The exhibition aims to highlight "the centrality of the dressed body in the museum’s vast collection," displaying paintings, sculptures, and historical fashion designs. The dress code's openness, coupled with the exhibition's focus on the body, left ample room for creative and often daring interpretations.
