Fashion’s Biggest Night Returns to New York
The 2026 Met Gala is being held on May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, continuing the tradition of taking place on the first Monday in May. This year’s theme is “Costume Art,” while the official dress code is “Fashion Is Art.” The event is connected to the Costume Institute’s exhibition of the same name, which explores the relationship between clothing, the dressed body, fashion and art.
Anna Wintour remains the central figure behind the event, while Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams are among this year’s co-chairs. The gala traditionally gathers major names from fashion, film, music and entertainment, and also serves as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute.
A Gala Marked by Bezos Controversy
This year’s edition has been accompanied by strong debate over the role of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. Reports say the couple allegedly contributed at least 10 million dollars, with estimates ranging between 10 and 20 million dollars, and secured a prominent place among the honorary hosts of the event. Their involvement has divided the fashion industry, with some seeing it as a natural link between money, influence and status, while others argue that it blurs the line between earned prestige and purchasing power.
Former Vogue event organizer Stephanie Winston Wolkoff criticized the direction of the gala, saying access to such events was once earned rather than bought. The debate has been sharpened by the rising cost of participation: a single ticket for the 2026 Met Gala is reported to cost 100,000 dollars, while tables remain among the most expensive in the world of elite events.
Absent Stars and Public Debate
The controversy has also been linked to the absence of several major stars. Reports mention Meryl Streep as one of the most notable absences, especially because the event comes shortly after the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, in which she again plays Miranda Priestly. Zendaya is also reported to be missing this year’s gala because of a busy schedule and professional commitments.
Anna Wintour’s control over the guest list remains one of the defining features of the Met Gala. Although the full list of guests is traditionally kept secret, Wintour publicly said in 2017 that Donald Trump was the person she would never again invite to the event. Trump had previously attended the gala with Melania Trump, but his last appearance was in 2012.
Strict Rules Behind the Red Carpet
Despite its public image as a glamorous celebrity gathering, the Met Gala is governed by strict rules. Since 2018, no one under the age of 18 has been allowed to attend, with organizers explaining that the event is not appropriate for minors. Even invited guests must pay for their place, unless a fashion house or brand covers the cost.
Phones are strictly banned inside the event, meaning no selfies, filming or social media posts from the interior. Seating is also carefully planned months in advance, with guests often placed next to people they do not know in order to encourage conversation. Spouses are frequently seated separately. The menu is also controlled, with onion, garlic, chives and parsley reportedly excluded.
Early Fashion Signals
Ahead of the main gala, the pre-Met Gala party in New York offered an early indication of how this year’s theme could be interpreted. Irina Shayk appeared in a sculptural white Issey Miyake dress, combined with large gold earrings, a metallic clutch and transparent Gianvito Rossi shoes with metallic tips. The look was described as elegant, architectural and focused on line, proportion, texture and movement rather than dramatic cuts or excessive detail.
Taken together, this year’s Met Gala is being presented not only as a major fashion event, but also as a moment of debate over money, access, influence and the changing identity of elite cultural spaces. The official theme places fashion directly within the language of art, while the controversies around invitations, sponsorship and absent stars show that the gala remains as politically and socially charged as it is glamorous.
