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We are hours away from the Met Gala. Held on the first Monday of May, the event is one of the biggest nights in the fashion industry. The gala was first organised in 1948 as a high-society event to raise money for the Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. However, over the years, the event has undergone several changes, the biggest of which was the appointment of former Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, in 1995. She shifted the focus from New York’s elites to celebrities, launching it into a fashion juggernaut.
Now the Met Gala has been a part of our annual fashion fiesta, introducing new themes, making statements, and creating headlines. And this year, the event has chosen the theme, ‘Costume Art’, and the dress code is ‘Fashion is Art’. These ideas showcase fashion as an embodied art form, and explore the historical connection between clothing, the body, the wearer and art. So, as we head closer to the big night, let’s take a look at what the dress code actually means.
Is ‘Fashion is Art’? How fashion has often crossed the line to become art
German fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld has made a clear distinction between fashion and art, asserting “art is art, fashion is fashion.” His words were based on the distinction often understood in the art world between fine arts and decorative arts. While fine art is a creative expression designed to elicit an emotional or intellectual response, an artist may take years to complete a piece, creating something that can be labelled ‘unique’. Traditionally, this category has included paintings, sculpture and poetry. On the other hand, decorative art is aesthetically pleasing and also functional and commercial, often produced on a large scale for home decoration and fashion.
Unlike fine artists, decorative artists or designers generally don’t have the luxury of time, and must continually produce products for market consumption. This made it one of the reasons why Karl believed that ‘fashion was not art’. However, contrary to Karl’s theory, pop artist Andy Warhol believed that “fashion is more art than art is”. His works were defined by themes of pop culture, consumerism, capitalism and the mass media, often holding a mirror to society. Fashion did that too. In addition to being emotional, intellectual and creative, it revealed a society’s norms and values. His work would often cross into the realms of fashion, given his collaborations with designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg and Halston.
Agreeing with Andy, Italian fashion designer, Elsa Schiaparelli also said, “designing is not a profession but an art.” Schiaparelli was one of the earliest designers to challenge the distinction between art and fashion. Her works are currently on display at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, as part of a broader trend of museums and galleries showcasing haute couture as art in its own right. Haute couture is exclusive, high-end fashion distinct from mass-produced ready-to-wear clothing. And one such exhibit came from the 2011 Met Gala itself. Over three years, more than 600,000 people visited Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, making it one of the Met’s most-visited exhibits in history.
What does fashion mean to modern society?
Haute couture may be considered art, given its uniqueness and distinction. However, what about everyday fashion? Whether everyday fashion could be considered art or not, designer, John Galliano suggests, “The joy of dressing is an art.” He claimed that dressing up in an active practice is vital for participation in society, not just as ‘modesty’ but also as a visual identity. According to John, clothing designates how people want to be perceived, and can be an important marker of gender, social status, political affiliation and heritage.
Additionally, as haute couture artists become more accessible to the public, it reflects a societal shift that recognises, and even craves, fashion as art. For the unversed, John was the lead designer at Christian Dior from 1997 to 2011, during the so-called “golden age of haute couture”, and is currently partnered with Zara in a two-year collaboration. His statement and transition could be perceived as: “fashion becomes art when it transcends functionality and becomes performative, creative or inspirational.”
What does it mean for the Met Gala 2026 dress code to be ‘Fashion is Art’, and what can we expect from it?
When it comes to the biggest fashion event, the question is not just about evoking awe or joy, but even shock, hate or fascination. As in literature and fine arts, the ultimate goal is for the final product to be cathartic, allowing onlookers to experience that release. One such instance was Kim Kardashian’s 2022 Met Gala outfit, when she wore Marilyn Monroe’s famous “Happy Birthday, Mr President” dress. The theme that year was In America: An Anthology of Fashion. For many people, Marilyn and her famous gown represented the height of American culture.
Kim’s use of the dress sparked broader conversations about historical objects, ethics and celebrity culture, with some even accusing her of damaging it. So, as we watch the gala this year, it would be worth exploring whether any of the outfits prompt thought or conversation about politics, history, technology, or culture, as designers often use colours, textiles and shapes to express something about society. For instance, in 2021, politician, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wore a white gown with “tax the rich” written on the back, referencing the extreme wealth disparity in the United States.
Image Credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Whether fashion is art or not seems to depend on the onlookers; the theme for this year’s Met Gala will surely stir some conversations. So, are you excited about the biggest fashion event in the industry? Let us know.
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