Met Gala Showcases Diverse Bodies, Challenging Traditional Art Norms
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute has opened “Costume Art,” a new fashion exhibit that debuted for the Met Gala on Monday. The show runs for eight months, beginning publicly on May 10 and concluding on January 10, 2027. It is housed in a former retail space on the main floor, a new dedicated gallery that will hold future fashion exhibitions.
“Costume Art” explores clothing through the lens of artistic history, pairing garments with classical and contemporary works. Central to the theme is a focus on diverse bodies: pregnant, corpulent, disabled, pregnant and aging. The exhibit includes new mannequins modeled on real people of varied body types, as well as pieces that challenge traditional representations. Highlights include a 1986 pregnancy dress by Georgina Godley, a corsetry ensemble by Michaela Stark titled “Fat Not Fertile,” and a Victorian‑era dress reflecting the body of Paralympian Aimee Mullins.
Other sections address mortality and aging, featuring a gray hoodie marked “I’M RETIRED” and a Westwood jacket depicting blood. The gallery operates from the museum’s Great Hall, ensuring wide public access and extended display time. The Met Gala fundraiser raised a record $31 million last year, funding the development of this new space.