“Fashion is Art,” the theme of this year’s Met Gala, guided the décor and wardrobe choices at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute fundraiser in New York City on Monday night. The annual event, which supports the museum’s Costume Institute, attracted a roster of high‑profile guests and a series of striking ensembles that reflected the theme.
Co‑chair Beyoncé returned to the red carpet after a ten‑year hiatus, appearing in a crystal‑embellished gown with a skeletal motif. She arrived with husband Jay‑Z and daughter Blue Ivy, the family pausing for photographs on the steps of the museum. Grammy‑winning singer’s appearance underscored the Gala’s blend of music, fashion and philanthropy.
Tennis champion Naomi Osaka turned heads in a white Robert Wun dress marked by exaggerated shoulders and a cascade of red feathers. Complementary two‑tone red gloves completed the look. A similar Robert Wun creation is part of the “Costume Art” exhibition at the Costume Institute. During the after‑party Osaka unveiled a red beaded gown, featuring anatomical detailing, hidden beneath her white dress.
Anna Wintour, the editor‑in‑chief of Vogue and a Met Gala co‑chair, presented a mint‑green ensemble with a feathered cape, maintaining her reputation as one of fashion’s most influential figures. Fellow co‑chairs Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams opted for more restrained elegance. Williams wore a sparkling black gown that referenced a portrait painted by Robert Pruitt for the National Portrait Gallery.
Lauren Sánchez Bezos chose a fitted Schiaparelli dress she described to Vogue as inspired by John Singer Sargent’s 1884 painting “Madame X.” She and her husband, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, became the first private sponsors of the Gala since 2018, contributing an estimated $10 million. Their involvement renewed public scrutiny of wealth disparity, Amazon’s labor practices and alleged tax avoidance. Activists responded by projecting protest videos onto New York buildings, including the Bezos residence near Madison Square Park.
The Met Gala’s focus on “Fashion is Art” highlighted the intersection of creative expression and cultural institutions while drawing attention to broader social debates surrounding the sources of philanthropic funding. The event’s outcomes may influence future sponsorship models for major cultural gatherings.
