The Intersection of Fashion and Art: “Costume Art” at the Met
A New Chapter in Fashion Exhibitions
If there’s been a consistent theme throughout blockbuster fashion exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it’s the notion that fashion is fundamentally a form of art. The upcoming exhibit, titled “Costume Art,” set to launch in 2026, aims to solidify this connection by pairing garments with diverse objects from the museum’s extensive collection. This innovative approach promises to deepen our understanding of how fashion intertwines with various art forms across history.
Visionary Leadership
Max Hollein, the CEO and director of the Met, expressed his ambition for the exhibit during a recent interview. He envisions that visitors will embark on a fashionable journey through art history, discovering connections between fashion and a multitude of artistic disciplines. Hollein believes the show will illuminate the ways in which fashion resonates throughout the museum, drawing parallels with paintings, sculptures, and even drawings.
“I hope we all agree that fashion is art,” he stated, emphasizing that the exhibition would make the intrinsic links between the two more apparent. It aims to present fashion not just as a standalone entity but as a medium reflected in various forms of expression housed within the Met.
Thematic Exploration of the Body
Organized by the Costume Institute’s curator Andrew Bolton, “Costume Art” will explore the concept of the dressed body, categorizing it into themed sections. These themes will include the “Naked Body,” the “Classical Body,” and even more provocative concepts such as the “Pregnant Body” and the “Aging Body.” This thematic framework encourages a multifaceted exploration of how different body types and identities are represented through fashion and art.
Curators have noted that the connections between artworks and garments will span a vast spectrum—from the formal and aesthetic to the conceptual and political. This inclusive approach seeks to celebrate the diversity of body types and the myriad meanings associated with fashion.
Pioneering Examples
One illuminating example from the exhibit will juxtapose a 1504 print by Albrecht Dürer with contemporary spandex bodysuits designed by Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck. This pairing revisits the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, bridging centuries of artistic interpretation and fashion innovation.
Voices of Change
Misty Copeland, who recently retired as a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, attended the announcement event and highlighted the vital interplay between fashion and dance. In her moving remarks, Copeland pointed out how both fields have historically upheld an “ideal” body—one that is typically thin, white, and female. She shared her personal experiences as a Black ballerina, challenging the conventional beauty standards that sometimes marginalize diverse bodies.
Copeland articulated a powerful message about the importance of recognizing and celebrating all forms of the body in this exhibit. She noted that the discussion around body representation in fashion is more necessary than ever, especially following previous exhibits like “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” which focused on Black menswear.
A Fresh Venue
“Costume Art” will debut in a brand new gallery space, encompassing around 12,000 square feet adjacent to the museum’s Great Hall. This choice of location is strategic; it places the exhibition in proximity to the Met Gala, allowing attendees to transition seamlessly from the red carpet to the world of fashion and art just steps away.
This new space is designed to streamline visitor experiences, addressing previous challenges like long lines and bottlenecks caused by various exhibitions. According to Hollein, the aim is to give fashion a more prominent and accessible home within the museum.
A New Era for the Costume Institute
The exhibit represents a pivotal moment for the Costume Institute and the museum at large. Bolton remarked that this new gallery will not only host future Costume Institute exhibitions but will also present shows from other departments within the museum. The acknowledgment of fashion’s critical role within both art history and contemporary culture marks a significant evolution in how fashion is perceived and appreciated.
Opening to the public on May 10, 2026, and running until January 10, 2027, “Costume Art” is poised to be a groundbreaking exhibition that challenges perceptions and invites dialogue around fashion and its artistic merits. Visitors can anticipate a journey that celebrates the artistry of the dressed body in all its forms.