The Met Gala is back, and it might be the biggest (or most shocking) one to date. There will be the classic celebrity-filled red carpet and ever-more outrageous outfits.
But this year, there’s also some controversy surrounding the Met Gala. Jeff and Lauren Bezos are the lead sponsors of the gala, and not everyone’s happy about it.
Then there’s the Met Gala theme for 2026: Costume Art. The theme feels broader than some previous years, which is both good and bad news for celebrities.
Let’s get into what we could see at the biggest night in fashion this year!
What’s the Theme About?
The Met Gala theme 2026 (Costume Art) has a dress code of “Fashion is Art,” which allows for a more open interpretation than last year’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
Like always, the Met Gala theme is linked to the Met’s spring exhibition. This year’s exhibit will examine the concept of “the dressed body” across art and fashion history. It will focus on the body and form, with an emphasis on different ages and body types.
The art in the exhibition will span more than 5,000 years and include sculptures, paintings, and clothing pieces.
Which Celebrities Will Show Up?
This year’s event will take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, and it will be co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and, of course, Anna Wintour herself.
This is Beyoncé’s first Met Gala in a decade, so all eyes will be on her and what she wears. Beyoncé always dresses to impress, and usually in a slinky, body-con dress with full-glam make-up. Her looks aren’t always on theme, though.
Beyoncé likely won’t deviate too much from her usual uber-glamorous style, but she will likely wear something artistic in shape. She may even opt for a sculptural piece.
Last year’s co-chairs, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, Pharrell, and A$AP Rocky, all showed up in killer looks, proving that men can be adventurous with fashion.
Other celebrities who are (often if not always) on theme are Zendaya, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga. It remains to be seen if they all show up this year, but they have set the bar high.
Designers That Are Likely to Be Worn
It’s never easy to guess what celebrities will wear to the Met. Some have a track record of being on theme, while others don’t.
However, given this year’s theme, there’s a good chance these designers will be popular.
Schiaparelli
The Schiaparelli fashion house was founded by Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli in 1927, whose legacy lives on. The brand has featured some bold and wild looks on the runways over the years. There have been replica lion heads, millions of beads, and lots of gold hardware. It would be no surprise if a few celebrities wear the brand.
Dilara Findikoglu
The young Turkish designer is fairly new to the fashion scene, but she has fast become a celebrity favorite. Dilara Findikoglu’s styles are a little gothic, and there’s lots of emphasis on the body, which fits the theme.
Alexander McQueen
The classic Scottish designer is beloved for his detailed, artistic couture pieces that have always pushed the boundaries of fashion. The brand really does create wearable art, and in a less literal way, so it would be a great pick.
Iris Van Herpen
If you know Iris Van Herpen’s work, then you know just how incredible it is. In 2024, one of the most searched Met Gala looks was worn by a relatively unknown Mona Patel. She was styled by Law Roach (Zendaya’s incredible stylist) in a breathtaking Van Herpen dress featuring kinetic butterflies.
Some other predictions for designers include Maison Margiela and Robert Wun. And, of course, there will be the regular famous designers, including Versace, Chanel, and Balenciaga, to name a few.
What Not to Wear at the Met Gala
Some celebrities take the theme too literally, which isn’t always bad. But it’s often not great either. While the theme and dress code are made to guide, a good celebrity stylist knows how to get creative with the theme and will dig deeper to come up with something special.
Here are a few things celebrities should avoid at the Met Gala.
Just Looking Pretty
The Met Gala is not just about who looks the prettiest or wears the most outrageous dress; it’s about pushing the envelope. For example, a broadly acknowledged ‘fail’ was Kim Kardashian wearing Marilyn Monroe’s original ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ nude dress.
Kim was heavily criticized for wearing a piece of history that belongs in a museum. The worst part was that she wasn’t really on theme either.
Underdressing
Most of the looks at the Met Gala are custom-made for the celebrity, and often, it’s a partnership in which the celebrity gets some input. These aren’t just clothes that anyone can buy from the runway. So it’s a bit disappointing when a celebrity turns up in a dress that looks like it’s picked from an existing collection.
Dressing for Shock Factor
While the Met Gala theme 2026 will bring some outrageous styles (as always), pure outrage is not the goal.
For example, in 2015, Rihanna wore a dress by the Chinese designer Guo Pei, which apparently took years to make. The dress became a meme (Google “Rihanna Pizza dress“), but it was stunning and on-theme.
Kim Kardashian’s previously mentioned Marilyn Monroe dress, on the other hand, was about shock-factor for all the wrong reasons.
Accessorizing at the Met Gala 2026
Since the theme is about fashion as art, there will be plenty of remarkable accessories on the carpet. As usual, there will be millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds and gems. There will also likely be headpieces and a fair share of sunglasses.
After all, sunglasses are the ultimate beloved celebrity accessory for those who want to be mysterious!
TL;DR
The Met Gala theme 2026 is Costume Art, with a dress code of Fashion is Art. While the theme is seemingly more straightforward than previous years, some celebrities will hit while others miss.
- There’s some outrage as Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos are the lead sponsors and honorary chairs this year (money talks).
- Fans are excited to see what Beyoncé will wear as co-chair, as it’s her first Met Gala in a decade.
- All eyes will be on which celebrities are on theme and which ones aren’t. Zendaya, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna (almost) never miss, so they will likely be the stars of the show if they attend.
- Some popular designers are predicted to be Iris Van Herpen, Schiaparelli, and Alexander McQueen.
- Accessories will also likely be a big part of the gala, with jewelry, headpieces, and sunglasses making an appearance.
