Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams Lead Met Gala 2026 as ‘Fashion is Art’ Theme Takes Over

Key facts

• The 2026 Met Gala was held on May 10, 2026 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• Co-chairs for the evening were Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams.
• The exhibition 'Costume Art' runs from May 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027.
• The new Condé M. Nast Galleries span nearly 12,000 square feet.
• Dress code 'Fashion is Art' encourages guests to embody art forms.
• Hunter Schafer wore a look inspired by Gustav Klimt; Beyoncé wore a skeletal gown.
• Madonna wore a ship on her head; Heidi Klum appeared as a marble statue.
• Host committee co-chairs included Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz.

The Red Carpet Unfolds Under Wisteria Canopy

A parade of stars arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art tonight for the 2026 Met Gala, walking a mossy, cream-coloured brick road set beneath a canopy of Wisteria blossoms. The evening’s dress code, “Fashion is Art,” asked attendees to serve as blank canvases, and the results ranged from the literal to the abstract. Co-chairs Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams led the arrivals, each interpreting the theme in distinct ways. Beyoncé wore a skeletal gown that focused on the anatomical body, while Kidman and Williams opted for more classical silhouettes.

The Exhibition: ‘Costume Art’ in the New Condé M. Nast Galleries

The gala marks the opening of the exhibition “Costume Art,” which will fill the museum’s brand-new, nearly 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries from May 10, 2026 until January 10, 2027. The show places fashion on the same pedestal as fine art, pairing hundreds of pieces of art that center the dressed body with thematically relevant fashions. The exhibition is divided into sub-sections that explore the classical body through Hellenistic drapery, the anatomical body, and the nude body. With an ongoing cultural fascination with naked dressing, many guests are expected to pay homage to the nude form in creative ways.

Celebrity Interpretations: From Klimt to Marble Statues

Some celebrities opted for clearly art-inspired looks. Hunter Schafer channelled Gustav Klimt, while others focused on the body types aspect of the theme. Beyoncé’s skeletal gown was a direct nod to anatomy, and Heidi Klum appeared as a marble statue, blurring the line between fashion and sculpture. Madonna wore a ship on her head, a surrealist touch that drew gasps on the carpet. The evening also saw a number of black, beige, and metallic looks from stars like Rihanna, Cher, Margot Robbie, and Charli XCX, alongside Venus Williams and A$AP Rocky.

The Host Committee and Notable Attendees

In addition to the co-chairs, the host committee co-chairs Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz were present, along with a wide array of celebrities from film, music, sports, and the arts. The guest list included Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Alex Consani, Lena Dunham, Paloma Elsesser, Lisa, Teyana Taylor, Lauren Wasser, A’ja Wilson, and Yseult. Each attendee brought a unique perspective to the “Fashion is Art” theme, with many using their outfits to make statements about the intersection of fashion and fine art. The diversity of interpretations underscored the breadth of the exhibition’s scope.

A Night of High Fashion and Artistic Homage

The 2026 Met Gala once again proved to be fashion’s biggest night, with the red carpet serving as a living gallery. The dress code encouraged guests to become part of the art, and the results were both surprising and thought-provoking. As the evening progressed, the live blog captured by-the-minute updates, with photographers from Getty Images documenting every look. The event set the stage for the “Costume Art” exhibition, which promises to be a landmark show for the museum.

What Comes Next: The Exhibition Opens to the Public

After the gala, the “Costume Art” exhibition will open to the public on May 10, 2026, running through January 10, 2027. The new Condé M. Nast Galleries will house hundreds of pieces that explore the dressed body as art. The exhibition is expected to draw large crowds and spark conversations about the role of fashion in the art world. For now, the red carpet images from tonight will circulate globally, setting the tone for the months ahead.

The bottom line

• The 2026 Met Gala was co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams.
• The dress code 'Fashion is Art' led to diverse interpretations, from Klimt-inspired looks to skeletal gowns.
• The exhibition 'Costume Art' opens May 10, 2026 in the new 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries.
• Notable attendees included Madonna, Heidi Klum, Hunter Schafer, and Rihanna.
• The red carpet featured a wisteria canopy and a mossy brick road, setting a romantic tone.
• The exhibition runs until January 10, 2027, exploring the dressed body as fine art.