The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced details for its 2026 Costume Institute exhibition, titled 'Costume Art,' which is set to open on May 10, 2026. Curated by Andrew Bolton, the show will explore the 5,000-year history of the 'dressed body' by juxtaposing contemporary and historical fashion with sculpture, antiquities, and portraiture from across the museum’s 17 departments. The exhibition will be preceded by the annual Met Gala on May 4, 2026, serving as the primary fundraiser for the department.
This iteration marks a significant institutional milestone as it inaugurates the Costume Institute’s new 12,000-square-foot home, the Condé Montrose Nast Gallery, located in a high-profile position adjacent to the Great Hall. By integrating fashion with fine art and archaeology, the museum aims to elevate the discourse around clothing from mere adornment to a complex study of human identity and physical form. The move to a larger, more prominent space signals The Met's commitment to treating fashion as a central pillar of its global art historical narrative.