The Met Gala 2026 theme has been announced: What outfits should we expect to see?
The theme for 2026 is “Costume Art”, but what exactly does that mean and what should we expect the outfit’s on the red carpet to look like?
The Met Gala is often one of the most highly anticipated fashion events of the year, with each year having a different theme that invited guests are expected to follow.
“Costume Art” (curated by Andrew Bolton), explores the connection between clothing and the body that’s beneath it. The show will include garments and works of art from the Met’s huge collection, and will include contemporary and historical pieces from the Costume Institute.
So, expect to see outfits on the red carpet that feature aspects such as draped Grecian styles, transparent/naked dresses, sculptural ensembles that reference famous art, and avant-garde designs that play with body types such as “Naked” and “Pregnant”.
Attending guests may personify classical figures, or even prehistoric forms, so expect amplified shapes and fabrics that are reminiscent of Greek sculptures. As there’s a focus on body’s physicalness, things such as sheer fabrics are extremely likely.
Potential Designers for the event may include icons such as Schiaparelli (known for bold, artistic pieces), Comme des Garçons (known for sculptural, body altered designs), Yves Saint Laurent (are a sponsor of the exhibition), plus many more.
The overall point of the “Costume Art” theme is to highlight the body and putting it front and centre, not just the focus being on the visual appeal.
Here at CARBON, we are looking forward to the upcoming Met Gala event this year. We may be reporting on the outfit’s that appeared at the event with an article, so stay notified on our website if you would like to see our thoughts!
By Aimee Cazeaux
