The Metropolitan Museum of Art is set to unveil its upcoming exhibition titled “Costume Art,” commencing with a glamorous launch at the renowned Met Gala in 2026. This highly anticipated exhibit seeks to reinforce the longstanding notion that fashion is an integral form of art, seamlessly merging garments with diverse objects from the museum’s vast collection.
Max Hollein, the museum’s CEO and director, expressed his vision for the exhibit, which aims to guide visitors through a fashionable journey showcasing the connections between art and fashion throughout different eras and styles. Hollein stated that the exhibition will draw upon a variety of artworks including paintings, sculptures, and drawings, effectively demonstrating the interrelatedness of fashion across multiple artistic mediums.
Led by curator Andrew Bolton, the show will explore the dressed body thematically, categorizing it into segments reflecting various body types, such as the “Naked Body,” the “Classical Body,” and intriguingly, the “Pregnant Body” and “Aging Body.” The curatorial team promises to highlight relationships ranging from the formal to the conceptual and from the personal to the universal, offering a deep dive into the significance of garment selection and the stories they tell.
One notable pairing in the exhibit will feature a print from the German artist Albrecht Dürer, dated 1504, alongside modern spandex bodysuits designed by Walter Van Beirendonck, linking contemporary fashion back to historical narratives like that of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
This exhibition echoes the previous showcases held at various museums, including FIT’s “Dress, Dreams & Desire: Fashion and Psychoanalysis,” which engaged audiences in understanding how fashion choices intertwine with psychological themes. Similarly, the broader fashion industry has seen an ongoing trend towards recognizing fashion not merely as apparel but as an expression of deeper cultural narratives and identities.
For fashion enthusiasts and art lovers alike, “Costume Art” promises to be an inspiring venture that not only highlights the beauty and intricacies of fashion but also reaffirms its rightful place within the overarching domain of fine arts, fostering a deeper appreciation for the creative expressions that shape our visual culture. This positive evolution in the perception of fashion as a vital art form reflects a hopeful future where cross-disciplinary creative explorations can flourish.