The Met Gala has made a comeback for 2026, but this year has been marked by controversy. While the annual fashion extravaganza typically draws A-list celebrities, prominent figures have decided to skip the event, and protests have erupted due to the involvement of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez as sponsors.
In a departure from tradition, the event is not being sponsored by a corporation but rather by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, who have reportedly contributed $10 million (£7.37m) to support the event. As a result, they have been appointed as honorary co-chairs alongside Beyonce, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour.
The theme for this year’s Met Gala is “Fashion Is Art,” encouraging guests to delve into the concept of fashion as a form of artistic expression and to celebrate the portrayal of clothing in art history.
Model Cara Delevingne was among the first arrivals on the red carpet, stunning in a floor-length black gown with a mesh train. Anna Wintour is set to attend the event, her first since relinquishing her role as Vogue editor-in-chief after more than 30 years, assuming the position of Condé Nast Chief Content Officer and Global Editorial Director.
Strict exclusivity rules apply inside the venue, with a ban on phones to maintain the event’s aura of exclusivity. The Vogue livestream will broadcast the red carpet, with hosts Ashley Graham, La La Anthony, and Cara Delevingne commencing the coverage at 6 p.m., while Emma Chamberlain conducts guest interviews throughout the evening.
Posters have been displayed across New York City calling for a boycott of the Met Gala. One poster emphasizes “Boycott the Bezos Met Ball: Brought to you by worker exploitation,” while others highlight Amazon’s ties to ICE and Bezos’ alleged tax avoidance and support for Trump.
Amazon, under Bezos’ leadership, has business agreements with ICE, and its subsidiary, Amazon Web Services, reportedly hosts data for Palantir, a company aiding ICE in tracking and identifying immigrants.
The Met Gala is renowned as one of the most prestigious fashion events of the year, attracting a star-studded guest list comprising designers, creatives, A-list actors, models, and musicians. Attendees are encouraged to adhere to a specific dress code inspired by the event’s theme.
This year’s dress code, “Fashion Is Art,” prompts guests to explore the relationship between fashion and art throughout history, embodying the essence of dressed aesthetics.