The Theme: “Fashion Is Art”
Fashion’s biggest night is finally here. The 2026 Met Gala is taking place tonight, Monday, May 4, with red carpet coverage kicking off at 6 p.m. ET. And if the buzz building around this year’s event is anything to go by, we’re in for an unforgettable evening
The Met’s spring 2026 exhibition is titled “Costume Art,” and the corresponding dress code for the gala is “Fashion Is Art,” which references the exhibition’s pairing of garments with art objects spanning history. Guests are invited to interpret this theme broadly — and that open-endedness is exactly what makes it so exciting. It could mean anything from sculptural gowns that look like museum installations to archival couture pulled from fashion house vaults
The show marks the opening of the Met’s brand-new Condé Nast Galleries, a nearly 12,000-square-foot permanent space, and it pairs actual garments with art objects spanning 5,000 years of human histor
The Co-Chairs
This year’s chair lineup is one of the most star-studded in recent memory. Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour will serve as co-chairs of the 2026 Met Gala. Beyoncé’s return as co-chair marks her first Met Gala appearance in about a decade — which alone has set the internet ablaze with anticipation
Who’s Coming (and Who Isn’t)
The host committee is co-chaired by Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz, and includes Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Angela Bassett, and Sam Smith, among others. Meanwhile, notable absences include Zendaya, who is reportedly taking a break following an intense period of promotional work, and Rachel Zegler.
How to Watch
Vogue will host the official 2026 Met Gala livestream, available starting at 6 p.m. Eastern on Vogue.com and its digital platforms, including YouTube and TikTok. Model Ashley Graham, producer La La Anthony, and actress-model Cara Delevingne will host from the red carpet, while Emma Chamberlain returns for her sixth year as special correspondent.
Tonight is shaping up to be a landmark evening, part fashion spectacle, part cultural statement. Clear your schedule, grab your snacks, and get ready to witness history on the steps of the Met.
