Met Gala 2026 Theme: 'Costume Art'

The 2026 Met Gala took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, launching the Costume Institute's "Costume Art" exhibition, which explores the intersection of fashion and art. The event's theme was described in sources as "Costume Art" or "Fashion is Art," inspiring attendees to wear outfits blending artistic and high-fashion elements.

According to BBC News, tickets for the gala cost about $100,000 each, with around 450 guests expected.

Celebrities arrived at the event, departing from hotels such as the Mark and the Carlyle, as captured in live updates from Associated Press and CBS News. Katy Perry wore a white strapless gown designed by Stella McCartney, made from Italian deadstock satin woven in forest-friendly viscose and repurposed surplus fabrics, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

She complemented the outfit with a chrome-painted face mask resembling a fencing mask, which she flipped open for photos after ascending the museum steps, as noted in reports from The Hill and New York Post. Perry's appearance followed last year's viral AI-generated images of her that were mistaken for real by some, including her mother; Perry posted on Instagram, "Couldn’t make it to the Met, had to work," alongside the fake photos.

Other arrivals included co-chair Nicole Kidman, who attended with her daughter Sunday Rose Kidman Urban. Kidman wore a sparkly red gown with a feathered tutu, while Sunday Rose debuted in coordinating attire. Co-chair Venus Williams wore a sparkling black gown with a train and prominent jewelry, accompanied by Andrea Preti.

Beyoncé attended for the first time since 2016. The host committee included Anthony Vaccarello, Zoë Kravitz, Adut Akech, Angela Bassett, Sinéad Burke, Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Alex Consani, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Paloma Elsesser, Rebecca Hall, Blackpink’s Lisa, Chloe Malle, Aimee Mullins, Amy Sherald, Tschabalala Self, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Anna Weyant, Lauren Wasser, A’ja Wilson, Chase Sui Wonders, and Yseult.

Sam Smith, described as a "non-binary" singer in a Daily Caller post, wore an outfit for the event. Doja Cat and Charli XCX were photographed on the red carpet, according to NPR and Forbes. Connor Storrie, star of "Heated Rivalry," debuted in a black suit with a polka-dot blouse and long neck scarf, as reported by Forbes.

Emma Chamberlain wore a colorful dress. AFP and NPR provided live updates and images of celebrities ascending the steps in extravagant attire.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos served as honorary chairs. Sánchez Bezos wore an off-the-shoulder navy gown by Schiaparelli, inspired by John Singer Sargent's 1884 portrait of Madame X. A campaign reported by France 24 urged a boycott of the event due to Bezos's involvement.

The Guardian article titled "Fashion’s Faustian pact: the high cost of Jeff Bezos’s Met Gala patronage" described Bezos's role as indicating growing ties between designers, celebrities, and power, and framed the event as the most controversial Met Gala yet.

No direct statements from Bezos or the Metropolitan Museum of Art addressing the campaign appear in the available sources.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani chose not to attend the Met Gala, stating in a New York Times report that he wanted to highlight fashion industry workers such as seamstresses and tailors. Separately, Mamdani commented on antisemitic vandalism at multiple synagogues and private homes over the weekend, saying there was "no place" for such attacks, according to the Washington Examiner.

The incidents involved swastikas and graffiti, occurring Sunday night into Monday morning, and prompted an investigation by city authorities. In unrelated developments, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was hospitalized in critical but stable condition, as stated by his spokesman in reports from ABC News and Le Monde.

The gala tied into the Metropolitan Museum's recent efforts, including the introduction of nine new mannequin bodies in 2025 for a show on Black dandy style, addressing diversity in fashion. Media coverage included live updates from outlets like The Hollywood Reporter, which detailed Perry's look and past gala stories.