The upcoming annual fashion show and fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York faces criticism and calls for a boycott, despite its continued popularity and financial success. Scheduled for May 4, this year’s show, titled “Costume Art,” aims to highlight fashion as a significant aspect throughout art history.
Curator Andrew Bolton explained that the theme, “Fashion is Art,” was chosen to allow for diverse interpretations on the red carpet and to challenge the notion that fashion does not belong in the art world. The event, which raised over $31 million last year and now features the newly inaugurated Condé M. Nast Galleries, will showcase figures often overlooked in art history, including representations of large and disabled bodies.
Renowned personalities like Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Beyoncé will serve as co-chairs, with the gala also boasting a star-studded host committee led by designer Anthony Vaccarello and filmmaker Zoë Kravitz. However, the inclusion of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos as honorary chairs has sparked controversy, with critics accusing the event of being funded by worker exploitation and supporting contentious practices by Amazon.
Protests against the billionaire couple’s involvement have grown, echoing longstanding criticisms of the Met Gala for its lavishness and exclusivity, particularly in light of growing wealth inequality. The absence of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who declined to attend due to his focus on affordability in the city, signals a potential shift in the gala’s cultural significance as Vogue’s Anna Wintour, the event’s iconic figure, approaches retirement.
Amid concerns about the gala’s future without Wintour at the helm, the Costume Institute has been building a financial reserve from Met Gala proceeds since 2016 to ensure its sustainability. Despite ongoing challenges, including civil rights activism and financial uncertainties, the 2026 Met Gala is set to proceed as planned on Monday.