Metropolitan Museum of Art Showcases ‘Costume Art’ Exhibition

Post by : Mina Rahman

A central theme of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s notable fashion exhibitions has been the concept that fashion constitutes art. The Met has consistently honored the creativity behind clothing, and its upcoming exhibition takes this idea to an even more engaging height.

Coinciding with the highly anticipated 2026 Met Gala, the exhibition titled “Costume Art” aspires to clarify the relationship between fashion and art to unprecedented levels. The display will juxtapose clothing with various objects from the museum’s collection, illustrating the historical links between fashion and diverse art forms, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and decorative arts.

Max Hollein, CEO and Director of the Met, remarked in an interview that the exhibition will guide attendees on a “fashionable journey through art history,” reflecting connections across an array of artistic mediums.

“This is a show that can live in intriguing ways at the museum, drawing from different areas of our collection,” Hollein stated.

According to Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute, the exhibition will be thematically organized based on various body types. It will feature sections titled the "Naked Body," "Classical Body," and more unique categories such as the "Pregnant Body" and "Aging Body," showcasing the rich variety of body representation in both fashion and art.

A notable instance arises from the "Naked Body" section, where a 1504 print by Albrecht Dürer pairs with contemporary 2009 spandex bodysuits designed by Walter Van Beirendonck, revisiting the narrative of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This pairing illustrates the exhibition’s goal of merging historical artistic works with modern fashion innovation.

Misty Copeland, the acclaimed ballerina who recently concluded her career with the American Ballet Theatre, shared insights into the relationship between fashion and dance. She highlighted that the exhibition powerfully advocates for the body, in all its representations, as a work of art deserving to be acknowledged and celebrated.

“Fashion and dance have perpetuated an ‘ideal’ body type that is often thin, white, and female,” Copeland commented. “As a Black woman and a ballerina, I found this narrative to be paradoxical. I have embraced the worth and beauty of my body, along with those of many Black and brown dancers whose forms are frequently ignored.”

The exhibition is set to welcome the public on May 10 in its new location, the Conde M. Nast Galleries, covering 12,000 square feet (1,115 square meters) adjacent to the museum’s Great Hall. The relocation aims to provide fashion with a more prominent platform while enhancing visitor experiences by alleviating congestion that previously affected other galleries.

Hollein elaborated that the new galleries will accommodate not only forthcoming spring Costume Institute exhibitions but also displays from other museum departments, fostering a more cohesive visitor experience.

Bolton described the new gallery as “a significant milestone for the department, recognizing the pivotal role fashion plays within both art history and contemporary culture.”

As the Met Gala date of May 4 approaches, A-list guests will have an exclusive opportunity to explore this groundbreaking exhibit mere steps from the event itself, blending high fashion, celebrity culture, and the museum’s artistic heritage.