The Met Gala has confirmed its theme for 2026: “Fashion Is Art.” The announcement was made by Vogue on February 23 for the 2026 event.

The dress code accompanies the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, “Costume Art,” which explores the connections between clothing and visual art.

The gala will take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It will be co‑chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour.

Met Gala 2026 theme: Fashion isArt

The theme encourages guests to interpret clothing as a form of artistic expression. Rather than specifying a particular style or color palette, the dress code invites guests to show cultural and historical influences. Andrew Bolton, curator in charge of the Costume Institute, notes that fashion and the human form have long been central to visual culture, which the exhibition seeks to illustrate.

The “Costume Art” exhibition opens to the public on May 10, 2026, in the Costume Institute’s new Condé M. Nast Galleries. It will feature nearly 400 garments displayed alongside artworks from different periods, show the connection between clothing and visual art over time. The show highlights a variety of body types and forms, examining how fashion interacts with art from classical to contemporary contexts.

Photo:Getty Images
Elle Fanning at the 2024 Met Gala

Under this year’s theme, the Met Gala red carpet is expected to display a range of interpretations:

• Designs inspired by historical or contemporary art movements.

• Silhouettes and tailoring that emphasize structure and form.

• Innovative fabrics and details that show design techniques and materials and design concepts.

The emphasis is on interpreting clothing through artistic concepts with creative flexibility.

Photo:Getty Images
Coleman Domingo at the 2025 Met Gala

The 2026 Met Gala and the accompanying exhibition position fashion as an integral part of art history, highlighting the connection between fashion and visual culture between design, craftsmanship, and visual culture.

In a recent business move, 12-year-old North West is preparing to launch her own fashion and jewellery line, backed by trademark filings secured by her mother, Kim Kardashian. The filings outline a structured commercial plan, positioning North as the face of a multi-category brand.

Legal paperwork submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office outlines a broad scope that extends beyond a single product release. The trademarks cover clothing, footwear, accessories, jewellery, watches, handbags and cosmetic cases. Such wide classification is typical of companies planning long-term expansion. Instead of testing a single product category, the filings reserve space for expansion across retail segments that often define full lifestyle labels.

Photo: Instagram

The brand name attached to the filings, NOR11, is believed to reference North’s identity and age when the concept was first discussed. Early hints of the label surfaced when she and friends were photographed wearing logo-marked hats months before the paperwork became public. In fashion marketing terms, this acts as early promotion: visibility without formal announcement, allowing the name to gain early visibility before product release.

Corporate records show the trademarks were filed under a family-linked company structure, with Kardashian listed as the responsible executive overseeing the venture. This structure shows professional management. Trademark protection at this level requires legal investment and long-term planning, signalling intent to commercialise the brand.

Photo: SKIMS

Kardashian built SKIMS into a major shapewear and basics label through aggressive licensing and direct-to-consumer strategy. North’s father, Kanye West, influenced sneaker and streetwear markets through Yeezy partnerships that combined endorsement with direct product involvement. North’s project combines elements of both models: personal branding supported by industrial-scale planning.

Reactions online have varied. Supporters view the move as an expected progression for a child raised inside fashion production, arguing that early exposure can translate into creative independence later. Critics question the ethics of turning her into a commercial brand at such a young age, especially in a media environment where celebrity children are already highly visible. The debate reflects a wider discussion around family branding in the influencer era, where personal life and monetisation increasingly overlap.

Photo: Instagram

The legal groundwork is already complete. Trademark filings of this breadth are legal protections designed to secure ownership before products reach the market. The filings reflect a structured launch plan rather than a casual celebrity project.

North West enters the industry with advantages uncommon for new designers: instant recognition, capital backing and a built-in global audience. A successful rollout will depend on design quality, production management and brand consistency. What follows will determine whether the label develops into a long-term business or remains tied primarily to its famous origins.

During the Super Bowl LX halftime show, Bad Bunny took the stage wearing an unreleased Adidas Originals BadBo 1.0 in cream. This period has been all about the Puerto Rican superstar, following his recent Grammy wins and making history at the Super Bowl by becoming the first Spanish-language artist to headline one of the world’s most-watched performances.

The model was first introduced in January 2026 with a limited release of just 1,994 brown pairs to commemorate the year of his birth, which debuted the day after Bad Bunny won three Grammy awards. During his halftime show, he wore the new cream-colored Adidas BadBo 1.0, marking the first public appearance of this colorway.

Bad Bunny: Getty images

He paired the exclusive footwear with an off-white outfit, including a cropped football jersey and a pair of gloves with similar designs on the sneakers.

Bad Bunny: Getty images

With over five years of collaboration with Adidas on several models, the BadBo 1.0 mixes a classic sporty look with modern details. The suede and nubuck upper is defined with winged overlays without the regular Three Stripes motif. A double collar shows the Trefoil logo on the outer side, and a stitched emblem from past collaborations appears on the tongue tag.

Bad Bunny: Getty images

Bad Bunny’s past collaborations with Adidas include the Forum Low, Response CL, Campus, Gazelle, Adizero SL72, Ballerina, and Adiracer GT models. Each release has blended retro sneaker styles with Bad Bunny’s signature design touches. No official release details have been announced for the Bad Bunny x Adidas BadBo 1.0 beyond its initial availability following the Super Bowl performance.