The Met Gala is often labelled as ‘fashion’s biggest night,’ but every year, millions of viewers ask the same question: What exactly is the theme? And even more confusingly, why are there two of them?
With the 2026 Met Gala exhibit theme officially announced, it’s the perfect time to break down what the theme really means, why it differs from the dress code, and how both come together to shape one of the most spectacular events in fashion.
Most people don’t realise that the Met Gala isn’t just a star-studded red carpet, it’s actually a fundraiser for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The entire event is built around the launch of the museum’s annual fashion exhibition, which is curated around a central theme.
This exhibit theme is chosen months in advance by the Costume Institute’s curatorial team. It guides not just the artworks and garments displayed inside the museum, but also the intellectual framework for the entire exhibition. Think of it as the academic and cultural backbone of the Gala.
For example, in 2024, the exhibition titled ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’ explored fragile archival garments and themes of preservation, memory, and revival. The exhibit was introspective, research-driven, and heavily focused on historical fashion.
While the exhibit sets the scholarly tone, the red carpet dress code creates the spectacle the public loves. This dress code is announced separately and is designed to inspire designers and celebrities to create bold, imaginative looks that photograph well and spark conversation.
In 2024, while the exhibit theme was ‘Sleeping Beauties’, the red carpet dress code was ‘The Garden of Time.’ Inspired by J.G. Ballard’s short story, the dress code encouraged romantic, fantastical looks think floral motifs, ephemeral silhouettes, and time-bending designs.
This difference isn’t a mistake; it’s intentional. The dress code is linked to the exhibit, but it’s never identical. Why? Because designers need creative freedom to craft fresh, original pieces that aren’t already on display inside the exhibition.
If both themes were the same, the red carpet would end up visually duplicating what visitors would already see inside the museum.
Ultimately, the Met Gala thrives on this delicate balance between academia and artistry, between the museum’s intellectual exhibition and the celebrities’ couture storytelling on the steps.
The next time you see celebrities walk the Met Gala red carpet, remember: you’re not just looking at glamorous outfits. You’re witnessing two worlds merging—the museum’s thoughtfully curated exhibition and the designers’ creative interpretations of the dress code. Both work together to make the Met Gala not only a fundraiser, but a cultural moment that shapes fashion history each year.
