Fashion is Art: Stars and Tech Giants Converge at Met Gala 2026
Co-chairs Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams preside over an event where ticket prices soar and activist protests clash with high-society arrivals.
The Met Gala 2026 took place on Monday, 4 May, marking a significant shift for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute as it celebrated the inauguration of its new 12,000-square-foot home, the Condé Nast Galleries. Under the theme "Fashion is Art", the event served as both a fundraiser and a grand opening, drawing global attention to the intersection of high fashion and institutional power.
The evening was overseen by co-chairs Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams, who joined the host committee led by Anthony Vaccarello. The guest list, personally curated by Anna Wintour, featured a mix of established icons and rising stars, including Zoe Kravitz, Doja Cat, and members of the Kardashian-Jenner family, all navigating the dress code that encouraged attendees to view the body itself as an artwork.
Commercial dominance was evident as major technology companies, including Amazon, Meta, OpenAI, and Snapchat, secured tables for the gala. With individual tickets rising to approximately $100,000 and tables costing upwards of $300,000, the event has been rebranded by some observers as the "tech gala", reflecting a shift in the event's patronage towards Silicon Valley wealth.
However, the financial backing of the exhibition and the gala by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez sparked immediate backlash. Activist groups staged protests outside the venue, displaying anti-Bezos posters and calling for a boycott, creating a stark contrast between the opulence inside the museum and the demonstrations on the streets of New York.
The absence of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani further highlighted the event's disconnect from current civic priorities. Mamdani declined to attend, citing a focus on affordability in the city, a stance that resonated with critics who noted the irony of the gala's exorbitant costs against the backdrop of New York's economic challenges.
Despite the controversies surrounding funding and attendance, the arrivals proceeded with the characteristic flair of the event. Rumours of a surprise musical performance continue to circulate, with names such as Bad Bunny and Olivia Rodrigo linked to the night, though specific details remain unconfirmed.