Met Gala 2026 Begins with Costume Art Theme and Fashion is Art Dress Code

Co-chairs include Beyoncé, who last attended in 2016, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour, chief content officer for Condé Nast. Honorary chairs Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos serve as lead sponsors for both the gala and exhibition. Additional host committee members include Anthony Vaccarello, Zoë Kravitz, Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Alex Consani, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Paloma Elsesser, LISA, Chloe Malle, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Lauren Wasser, Anna Weyant, A’ja Wilson and Yseult.

The red carpet livestream begins at 6 p.m.

ET, hosted by Ashley Graham, Cara Delevingne and La La Anthony, with Emma Chamberlain returning as Vogue's correspondent. The stream is available on Vogue's digital platforms, including YouTube and TikTok. Individual tickets cost $100,000, while tables are priced at $350,000, often purchased by fashion houses and sponsors.

Bolton stated the exhibit highlights the relationship between clothing and the body, noting that artistic representations are shaped by garments and vice versa.

Vogue advised attendees to explore depictions of the dressed body in art history, potentially referencing styles from Baroque to Impressionist eras. Past dress codes have been stricter, but this year's allows broader creativity in outfits. Expected attendees include stars such as Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams, with the event serving as the primary funding source for the Costume Institute's activities.

Attendees face challenges using restrooms due to elaborate gowns, often requiring team assistance to remove outfits. Stylist Mickey Freedman told the Washington Post that designers sometimes incorporate trap doors for easier access, addressing concerns discussed in advance.

Brian Daniel, founder of the Celebrity PA Network, noted that celebrities typically rely on personal assistants for such tasks, with event staff available for general help.

“The true heroes in these situations are often the designers and tailors." — Mickey Freedman, stylist, as told to the Washington Post. Celebrities employ strategies like dehydration to avoid liquids, or devices such as GoGirl for standing urination. Katy Perry has used self-control and assistance from others, including Winnie Harlow, to manage in stalls. In 2022, Emma Chamberlain described the process as taking up to an hour, leading to exhaustion. Kim Kardashian planned for potential accidents in her 2019 gown, while Kendall Jenner used an ice bucket in a van en route. Sabrina Carpenter expressed relief at easier access in her previous outfit, and Pete Davidson noted the simplicity of his tunic style.”

The gala raises funds through high ticket prices and sponsorships, with Anna Wintour overseeing approvals since 1995. The exhibition spans 5,000 years with 400 outfits and objects on display. Some reports highlighted unrelated protests involving urine bottles placed around the museum in solidarity with workers, though not directed at gala attendees.