A Powerhouse Line-Up for Fashion’s Biggest Night

Beyoncé is set to make a major return to the Met Gala — not just as an attendee, but as a co-chair for the 2026 edition. The global music superstar, who last graced the Met steps in 2016, will help lead fashion’s most prestigious event alongside Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and longtime Met Gala architect Anna Wintour.

Her involvement immediately elevates anticipation for the 2026 Gala, drawing attention from the worlds of fashion, music, sports, and pop culture alike.

Inside the 2026 Costume Institute Exhibition

The upcoming Met Gala will coincide with a new Costume Institute exhibition titled “Costume Art”, curated by Andrew Bolton. The exhibition will explore how clothing relates to the human body — not just as decoration, but as structure, commentary, and extension of identity.

Through a series of thematic lenses, the exhibition will examine how fashion has historically shaped, restricted, celebrated, and redefined the body. Key sections will include:

• The Naked Body
• The Classical Body
• The Anatomical Body
• The Pregnant Body
• The Aging Body

A Historic Exhibition Space at The Met

“Costume Art” will feature garments spanning centuries, pulled from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s extensive archives and collections. The exhibition also marks a milestone for the institution, as it will be the first show staged in the Met’s newly constructed gallery space, located adjacent to the Great Hall.

The exhibition will open to the public on 10 May 2026 and remain on display until 10 January 2027.

What to Expect From the 2026 Met Gala

The Met Gala itself is scheduled for Monday, 4 May 2026, continuing its tradition as the Costume Institute’s primary annual fundraiser. While the official dress code has not yet been revealed, the host committee is already generating excitement.

Zoë Kravitz and acclaimed fashion designer Anthony Vaccarello will serve as co-chairs of the host committee. They will be joined by a diverse group of cultural figures, including Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Misty Copeland, Lena Dunham, Sam Smith, Lisa, Teyana Taylor, and Elizabeth Debicki. Additional names are expected to be announced in the coming months.

A Decade-Long Wait and a Cultural Moment

Both Kidman and Williams were present at the 2024 Met Gala, making Beyoncé’s return particularly notable — her first appearance in ten years. With all three women now at the helm of the 2026 event, the Gala is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about editions in recent memory.

As anticipation builds, the 2026 Met Gala is already being positioned as a defining cultural moment at the intersection of fashion, art, and global influence.