Story perspectives

Beyoncé Co-chairs 2026 Met Gala’s “Costume Art” Theme

5/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter returns as co-chair of the Met Gala on May 4, 2026 for the “Costume Art” exhibition.
She co-chairs with actress Nicole Kidman, tennis champion Venus Williams and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
The gala’s “Fashion is Art” dress code asks guests to treat clothing as fine art.
Rumors say she may wear Saint Laurent, the event’s sponsor, after she posted an Instagram ballgown from its Spring 2026 line.

History

Historical Context

The inaugural Met Gala, then called the Costume Institute Benefit, launched in 1948 under Eleanor Lambert, establishing fashion as museum-worthy. In 2019, Anna Wintour’s stewardship raised $30 million for the Institute, and the event attracted 20,000 global guests from across fashion, film, and sports. Today, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter co-chairs the 2026 Met Gala with Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, echoing the 1948 celebrity-driven model. The partnership reinforces the gala’s $30 million fundraising trajectory and solidifies fashion’s status as high-culture art, influencing future sponsorships like Saint Laurent.

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Story summary

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter returns as co-chair of the Met Gala on May 4, 2026 for the “Costume Art” exhibition.
She co-chairs with actress Nicole Kidman, tennis champion Venus Williams and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
The gala’s “Fashion is Art” dress code asks guests to treat clothing as fine art.
Rumors say she may wear Saint Laurent, the event’s sponsor, after she posted an Instagram ballgown from its Spring 2026 line.

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