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Met Gala 2026 Raises Record $42 Million as 'Fashion Is Art' Takes Center Stage

The record haul will fund the Costume Institute’s new show.

Overview

  • The Met Gala at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, held Monday, followed a “Fashion Is Art” dress code tied to the Costume Art exhibition that opens May 10.
  • Museum chief Max Hollein said the fundraiser brought in a record $42 million for the Costume Institute, topping last year’s total.
  • Photos from inside documented theatrical fashion and live music, with Sabrina Carpenter dueting with Stevie Nicks and several stars changing into new looks once the event began.
  • Co-chair Beyoncé returned to the gala and arrived with Jay-Z as 14-year-old Blue Ivy Carter made her Met Gala debut.
  • Lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos faced activist criticism over their role, keeping the donor influence debate in focus even as the party proceeded.