May 03, 2026 11:20am IST
Met Gala 2026: Everything You Need To Know About Fashion’s Biggest Night
Fashion’s biggest night is just a few days away with the Met Gala 2026 all set to take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. And this year, it is doing something it has never done before. For the first time in the event's history, the gala will be held at the newly unveiled Condé M. Nast Galleries, a 12,000-square-foot space inside the Met that was previously the museum gift shop.
Consider it fashion’s way of saying: we are not just attending the museum anymore; we are the museum.
The Theme
This year’s theme is Costume Art, and the dress code is "Fashion is Art". The exhibition explores the dressed body as central to art history, championing the idea that clothing is not just something you wear, but something that carries cultural meaning, artistic intention, and historical weight. It features approximately 400 objects from the Met’s vast collection — ranging from ancient Greek vases to archival Vivienne Westwood pieces and avant-garde Comme des Garçons. Guests are expected to blur the lines between garment and gallery. The related Costume Institute exhibition runs from May 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027.
Who is Chairing the Gala?
This year’s co-chairs are Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour. Beyoncé returns to the Met steps for the first time in a decade, marking her eighth appearance and her first time as a co-chair. Her last appearance was the iconic latex Givenchy moment in 2016.
Nicole Kidman takes on the role for the third time, and given her recent appointment as a Chanel House Ambassador under Matthieu Blazy, expect custom Chanel. Venus Williams is a first-time co-chair, while Anna Wintour has held the position every year since 1995. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos serve as the honorary co-chairs, acting as lead sponsors of the exhibition alongside Saint Laurent and Condé Nast.
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The Host Committee
The 2026 Met Gala Host Committee is led by Anthony Vaccarello and actress Zoë Kravitz. The full confirmed committee includes:
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Doja Cat
- Gwendoline Christie
- Alex Consani
- Misty Copeland
- Elizabeth Debicki
- Lena Dunham
- Paloma Elsesser
- LISA of BLACKPINK
- Chloe Malle
- Sam Smith
- Teyana Taylor
- Lauren Wasser
- Anna Weyant
- A’ja Wilson
- Rebecca Hall
- Adut Akech
- Sinéad Burke
- Aimee Mullins
- Tschabalala Self
- Amy Sherald
- Chase Sui Wonders
- Angela Bassett
- Yseult
Everyone on the host committee is confirmed to attend. Approximately 450 guests are expected in total.
Who is going from India?
Confirmed: Karan Johar is among the confirmed Indian attendees, marking his much-anticipated debut at the Met Gala. Known for his bold choices, his appearance is expected to bring a dramatic interpretation of the theme. Natasha Poonawalla and Isha Ambani are also expected, continuing their strong presence on the global fashion stage.
Speculated: Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are widely expected to attend, with their recent public appearance fueling speculation. Alia Bhatt is another likely attendee after her previous appearances highlighted Indian culture on a global platform. Shah Rukh Khan and Kiara Advani, both of whom made strong impressions in previous editions, are also being closely watched for a return.
The Korean Moment
Korean-Canadian actor Ahn Hyo-seop is confirmed to attend in Maison Valentino, making him the first Korean actor to attend the Met Gala in 11 years. Known for his global K-drama fanbase and Netflix’s "K-Pop Demon Hunters," his attendance marks another major moment for Asian representation on the steps. And with LISA of BLACKPINK on the host committee, the 2026 Met Gala is shaping up to be a landmark night for Korean cultural presence at fashion’s biggest event.
The predicted looks
Nobody knows, and that is the point. Looks are kept secret until the moment celebrities step out of their cars. What we do know so far is that Nicole Kidman is expected to be in a custom Chanel given her new role as House Ambassador. Beyoncé’s look is the most anticipated of the night, with her Tiffany & Co ambassadorship, jewelry likely to play a central role. Zendaya, if she attends, will likely be in a Law Roach collaboration. Ahn Hyo-seop is confirmed in Maison Valentino. Everything else is a very fashionable mystery until May 4.
Who is Walking the Met Steps in 2026?
The guest list is always closely guarded, but between the host committee, co-chairs, and reliable regulars, here is how the night is shaping up. Zendaya is widely expected, despite being unconfirmed. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are near-certain returns; last year, Rihanna’s look famously doubled as a pregnancy announcement. Bad Bunny has attended every year since 2023 and has had his biggest year yet, while Jay-Z is expected to be alongside Beyoncé.
Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber are fixtures, and Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Emily Blunt are all anticipated, given that "The Devil Wears Prada" 2 hit cinemas just days ago. Jacob Elordi, Robert Pattinson, Emma Stone, and Nick Jonas have also been named in the circulating guest lists.
Where To Watch
The red carpet livestream begins at 6 PM EDT on May 4 (3:30 AM IST on May 5 in India) on Vogue’s YouTube and TikTok. The show will be hosted by Ashley Graham, La La Anthony and Cara Delevingne, with Emma Chamberlain returning as red carpet correspondent.
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