The Super Bowl of fashion is living up to its moniker so far.
The Met Gala is officially underway as A-list actors, global pop stars and tech titans alike grace the Metropolitan Museum’s grand staircase. The gala’s theme, “Costume Art,” honors the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition on the role of the dressed body in the history of art. The show inaugurates the new 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries.
This year’s abstract dress code, “Fashion Is Art,” encourages guests to treat the body as a canvas and “to express their own relationship to fashion as an embodied art form.” So if there ever were a time to wear an archival John Galliano naked dress or a Thom Browne body paint gown, it’s now.
Co-chaired by Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, Anna Wintour and Beyoncé, the latter returning to the gala after a 10-year hiatus, the event — an annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute — will be a night of sartorial excellence.
Felicity Blunt, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt
It’s a family affair for Felicity Blunt, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, who coordinate in black.
(Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Yu-Chi Lyra Kuo
Yu-Chi Lyra Kuo soars in custom Jean Paul Gaultier, in reference to the Winged Victory of Samothrace statue.
(Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images)
Zoë Kravitz
Zoë Kravitz wows in an all-black Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello lace gown.
(Michael Buckner / Penske Media via Getty Images)
Isha Ambani
Isha Ambani wears a custom-designed saree gown by Rahul Mishra.
(Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images)
Suleika Jaouad and Jon Batiste
Suleika Jaouad and Jon Batiste attend the 2026 Met Gala.
(Julian Hamilton / Getty Images)
Charli XCX
Charli XCX is the moment.
(Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Gwendoline Christie
Gwendoline Christie knows a thing or two about the Many-Faced God.
(Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for the Met Museum)
Sabine Getty
Jewelry designer Sabine Getty has her hands full in custom Ashi Studio couture.
(Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for the Met Museum)
Jordan Roth
Jordan Roth looks like a living classical sculpture.
(Julian Hamilton / Getty Images)
Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster
Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster make it a date night.
(Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for the Met Museum)
Venus Williams
Venus Williams is wearing a Swarovski crystal mesh gown inspired by her portrait.
(Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images)
La La Anthony
La La Anthony is dripping with custom crystals in a custom Wiederhoeft gown.
(Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Nichapat Suphap
Nichapat Suphap turns heads in custom Robert Wun.
(Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Sam Smith
Sam Smith makes a statement in Christian Cowan.
(Gilbert Flores / Variety via Getty Images)
Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne is back in black.
(Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for the Met Museum)
Sunday Rose Kidman Urban and Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman, co-chair of the Met Gala, radiates in a red sequin Chanel gown. She’s accompanied by daughter Sunday Rose Kidman Urban.
(Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for the Met Museum)
Lauren Sanchez Bezos
Lauren Sánchez Bezos, who reportedly spent $10 million with husband Jeff Bezos to sponsor the gala, dons a blue Schiaparelli by Daniel Roseberry gown.
(Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for the Met Museum)
Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour has fun with feathers in Chanel.
(Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images)
Emma Chamberlain
Emma Chamberlain understood the assignment in custom Mugler hand-painted by artist Anna Deller over the course of 40 hours.
(Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham wears a sheer, hand-sewn gown by Di Petsa.
(Julian Hamilton / Getty Images)