The Metropolitan Museum of Art has revealed photos from inside the Costume Institute's latest exhibition, 'Costume Art,' ahead of the 2026 Met Gala. Curated by Andrew Bolton, the show explores the relationship between clothing and the body, organized around thematic body types such as the Naked Body, Pregnant Body, and Aging Body. It features garments and artworks from The Met's collection, both historical and contemporary, and will be the first exhibition held in the new Condé M. Nast Galleries, a 12,000-square-foot space adjacent to the Great Hall. The exhibition opens to the public on May 10, 2026, and runs through January 10, 2027.
The Met Gala is the fashion world's most high-profile fundraising event, and the exhibition it celebrates sets the tone for trends in fashion and museum curation. By focusing on the body as a central theme, 'Costume Art' pushes the Costume Institute's tradition of scholarly yet accessible shows, potentially influencing how museums and the public think about fashion as an art form. The new gallery space also signals The Met's continued investment in fashion exhibitions as a major draw for visitors and media attention.