The first Monday in May has arrived, signalling the official start of the Met Gala 2026, an event that promises to be one of the most divisive in its history. Held at the renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, this pinnacle of fashion will see A-list celebrities showcasing haute couture on the iconic museum steps.
Anna Wintour Steps Down but Remains Central
This year marks the first Met Gala since Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour stepped down after 37 years at the helm. However, she continues to play a leading role in the proceedings, maintaining her influence over the event.
Controversial Co-Chairs: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez
In a controversial move, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez have been named honorary co-chairs and lead sponsors. Their involvement has cast a shadow over what is often called the Oscars of fashion. An insider revealed that at least one high-profile celebrity has pulled out of the gala programming in protest. Protest posters reading ‘Boycott the Bezos Met Gala’ have been pasted near the venue, yet the event will proceed with its usual pomp and circumstance.
Theme and Dress Code for 2026
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Vogue have announced that ‘Costume Art’ will be the theme of this year’s Costume Institute exhibition, with ‘Fashion is Art’ as the dress code. The exhibition will pair historical and contemporary garments, divided into three categories: the classical body and the nude body; aging bodies and pregnant bodies; and the anatomical body. It will be displayed in the new Condé Nast Galleries. Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute, stated, ‘What connects every curatorial department and every single gallery in the museum is fashion, or the dressed body.’
Guest List and Host Committee
The star-studded guest list includes members of the host committee such as Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Misty Copeland, Lena Dunham, Angela Bassett, Sam Smith, and Chase Sui Wonders. The event is co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour.
Red Carpet Coverage
The Met Gala red carpet livestream will begin at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Vogue’s digital platforms, YouTube, and TikTok. Hosts Ashley Graham, La La Anthony, and Cara Delevingne will lead the coverage, with Emma Chamberlain returning as red carpet correspondent. Traditionally, co-chairs arrive first, often before the stream begins. Last year, Rihanna famously arrived at 10 p.m., long after the first guests.
Strict Rules and Dining Etiquette
Guests are not allowed to bring personal publicists on the red carpet or inside the venue, leaving them to navigate interviews, photo ops, and wardrobe malfunctions on their own. Dinner is served after a cocktail hour, with assigned seating in the Temple of Dendur. Anna Wintour approves every detail, including the menu, and has banned certain foods that are hard to eat or cause bad breath. In the past, she vetoed parsley, onion, garlic, and bruschetta. Last year’s menu by Chef Kwame Onwuachi featured dishes like hoecakes with crispy chicken, papaya piri-piri salad, Creole roasted chicken, and golden cake.
Performances and Phone Policy
Musical performances are expected throughout the evening, though the lineup remains undisclosed. Last year featured Usher and Stevie Wonder, while previous years saw Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Lenny Kravitz, Katy Perry, and Madonna. A strict no-phone policy is enforced inside the museum to encourage conversation, though it has been broken frequently, with bathroom selfies becoming a trend. Staffers gently remind violators, according to former planner Sylvana Durrett.
