“The show examines the centrality of the dressed body, juxtaposing garments and works of art from across the Museum’s vast collection to create pairings that not only illuminate the indivisible connection between clothing and the body but also the complex interplay between artistic representations of the body and fashion as an embodied artform. Costume Art is on view at The Met Fifth Avenue from May 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027.”—The Met

Max Hollein, The Met’s Marina Kellen French Director and Chief Executive Officer said: “Costume Art will present a dynamic and scholarly conversation between garments from The Costume Institute and an array of artworks from across The Met’s collection, elevating universal and timeless themes while bringing forward new ideas and ways of seeing. This immensely creative and collaborative show will demonstrate the Museum’s innovative and forward-thinking approach to presenting Costume Institute exhibitions and will highlight The Met’s unique ability to position fashion within the context of more than 5,000 years of art represented in its collection. The newly designed, state-of-the-art Condé M. Nast Galleries further reflect The Met’s commitment to displaying and appreciating fashion as an art form, and also to continually investing in gallery improvement projects that will benefit our visitors for generations to come. We are thrilled to announce such an esteemed group of co-chairs and members of the host committee, and further we are deeply grateful to all our donors for their remarkable generosity to create these new, grand public galleries.”

Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge, The Costume Institute, added: “For The Costume Institute’s inaugural exhibition in the Condé M. Nast Galleries, I wanted to focus on the centrality of the dressed body within the Museum, connecting artistic representations of the body with fashion as an embodied art form. Rather than prioritizing fashion’s visuality, which often comes at the expense of the corporeal, Costume Art privileges its materiality and the indivisible connection between our bodies and the clothes we wear. The opening of the new Galleries will mark a pivotal moment for the department, one that acknowledges the critical role that fashion plays not only within art history but also within contemporary culture. I am grateful to Max for his support and to the generous donors to the Galleries for their belief in fashion’s transformative possibilities.”

The exhibition is organized by Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge, The Costume Institute, with the support of Costume Institute staff Stephanie Kramer, Senior Research Associate; Ayaka Iida, Research Associate; and Emily Mushaben, Research Associate. The exhibition is designed by Miriam Peterson and Nathan Rich of Peterson Rich Office (PRO). Additionally, artist Samar Hejazi created bespoke heads for the show’s mannequins.

Title image: Naked and Nude Body, Gallery View. Photo © Anna-Marie Kellen / The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Images courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art.