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Met Sets 2026 Met Gala Theme ‘Costume Art’ and Unveils New Condé Nast Galleries

The museum casts fashion as fine art, installing the 2026 Costume Institute show in the new Condé Nast galleries.

Overview

  • The Met confirmed “Costume Art” as the 2026 theme, framing clothing’s relationship to the body and asserting fashion’s status as art.
  • The spring exhibition will run May 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027 in newly created Condé Nast galleries adjacent to the Great Hall, about 12,000 square feet.
  • The Met Gala tied to the show is scheduled for May 4, 2026, serving as the Costume Institute’s primary fundraiser.
  • Curators will pair garments with paintings, sculpture and other works across the museum and organize displays by types of ‘dressed’ bodies such as the naked, classical, pregnant and aged body.
  • Support comes from Condé Nast and Saint Laurent, with partial funding by Jeff and Lauren Bezos, while the dress code, co‑chairs and guest list remain to be announced.