T he Metropolitan Museum of Art is preparing for one of its most ambitious fashion showcases yet as the 2026 Met Gala unveils a theme that places fashion and art on equal footing. The annual event – long regarded as the most influential night in global fashion – will launch the Costume Institute’s new exhibition titled Costume Art, a sweeping presentation exploring how clothing has shaped visual storytelling across civilisations.

A theme rooted in the museum’s entire collection

The 2026 theme draws inspiration from the idea that fashion has always belonged at the centre of art history. As noted in the introductory commentary, “The dressed body is the common thread connecting the entire museum.” Curator Andrew Bolton has described the exhibition’s title as bold and intentionally “uncorse

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