The Met’s 2026 Exhibition Theme Is Costume Art
Costume Art will be the theme of The Costume Institute’s 2026 exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a show that explores how fashion and art frame the human body. The exhibition will also inaugurate the nearly 12,000-square-foot Condé Nast Galleries, adjacent to The Met’s Great Hall, which is set to become the permanent home for future Costume Institute presentations. Curator in Charge Andrew Bolton explains, “What connects every curatorial department and what connects every single gallery in the museum is fashion, or the dressed body. It’s the common thread throughout the whole museum. I know that we’ve often been seen as the stepchild, but, in fact, the dressed body is front and center in every gallery you come across. Even the nude is never naked.” To highlight these connections, the exhibition will pair garments with artistic representations of the body: an ensemble by Rei Kawakubo from Comme des Garçons’ F/W 2017 collection will be shown alongside La Poupée, a gelatin silver print by surrealist artist Hans Bellmer; meanwhile, an anatomically drawn bodysuit from Walter Van Beirendonck’s F/W 2009 collection will be displayed with Albrecht Dürer’s 1504 engraving Adam and Eve. Mannequins cast from real bodies will play a more prominent role, bringing the garments to life. Artist Samar Hejazi has also been commissioned to design mirrored heads for the forms. The exhibition will run from May 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027. The Met Gala theme has not yet been announced, but is expected to draw inspiration from the exhibition’s concept. [Vogue]
Louis Vuitton is Heading to NYC for Cruise 2027 Show
Nicolas Ghesquière is heading to New York City to debut Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2027 collection on May 20, 2026. The venue and additional details are still under wraps, but we are sure it will be against a noteworthy backdrop. Ghesquière, the artistic director of women’s collections at Louis Vuitton since 2013, is known for staging his cruise shows in architectural spectacles. Most recently, he presented his Resort 2026 collection at the Palais des Papes, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Avignon, France. Ghesquière’s choice of New York aligns with a broader trend of European fashion houses coming to NYC to debut collections. Alaïa presented its F/W 25 collection at the Guggenheim Museum, while Ludovic de Saint Sernin unveiled his F/W 24 collection in a warehouse space. In the next few weeks, Chanel is also scheduled to present its first Métiers d’Art collection, designed by creative director Matthieu Blazy, on December 2. [WWD]
Gap Studio Launches Its First Men’s Line
GapStudio is entering menswear with its first-ever men’s collection. Zac Posen, executive vice president and creative director of Gap Inc., said, “Menswear has been part of the conversation since Gap Studio’s inception. When we created a custom look for Timothée Chalamet that sold out almost instantly, it confirmed there was real appetite for this level of design and craftsmanship from Gap. We’ve made bespoke pieces for Michael B. Jordan and Owen Cooper, and continued to see men gravitating toward our gender-inclusive styles, like the moto jacket from our first drop. The new menswear collection builds on that energy, refined, confident, and rooted in the same modern sensibility that defines Gap Studio.” Prices span $38 to $328. Key pieces include corduroy trousers, a white poplin shirt, a double-breasted blazer, black boot-cut trousers, a tuxedo vest, a reversible bonded faux fur car coat, and a skinny tie. See the full collection here.
Supermodel Adut Akech Steps Into A New Era
Can you call it a comeback if you never really stopped? Still, it felt like one when Adut Akech hit the runway for Sarah Burton’s Givenchy debut earlier this year: a runway return marked not by volume but by loyalty, aligning herself with the visionaries who have shaped her story from the start. Since then, she’s embraced a deliberately curated season, showing up only where it counts. As a new mom, Akech has eased back into work on her own terms, evolving into a version of herself that moves with equal parts clarity, joy, and purpose. Models.com captured her with director Will Pippin, to discuss life as a new mom, aligning with the brands that truly resonate, and balancing high-fashion glamour with the real-life priorities that now anchor her. Find the full interview here.
Model of the Week: Baptiste Vicens-Vivo Walked Jonathan Anderson’s First Dior Show
“My best experience was walking my first runway show with Dior. It was an incredible opportunity that opened many doors for me, including the chance to walk for Versace, a brand I love!” says this week’s Model of the Week, Baptiste Vicens-Vivo. The French model walked Jonathan Anderson’s debut show, and now works with fashion’s biggest names. See the complete shoot and interview here.
How Lacy Redway Sculpts Hair And Ultimately Designs Her Life
Fresh off the heels of an InStyle Magazine Image Maker Award and a new Hollywood Reporter cover, it’s immediately apparent why Lacy Redway’s hair artistry has become quite ubiquitous amongst actors and the fashion sector. Born in Jamaica, Redway grew up loving the ’90s hairstyles she saw in films, sitcoms, and music videos. Before long, she was styling friends and classmates, and by the time she was 11, she was a traveling hairstylist working out of living rooms and basements. Now styling for Ayo Edebiri, Tessa Thompson, Pamela Anderson, and Chappell Roan, creating looks for covers in Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and Vogue, Redway is an in-demand presence. Models.com contributor Nia Shumake spoke with the hairstylist about her upbringing, creative process, and mindset shifts as she scales. Click here to read the full interview.
How Cinema Shaped Photographer Sonia Szóstak’s Visual Language
Polish photographer Sonia Szóstak found her way behind the camera early on, enrolling in film school at 14 with a VHS camera and a desire to record everything around her. Self-describing her work as cinematic, feminine, and introspective, Szóstak’s visual language has led to collaborations with brands like Fear of God, Altuzarra, and Zara. For the latest Behind The Image feature, Models.com editor Anire Ikomi spoke with Szóstak about the eclectic references that feed her images, her most memorable career moments, and her publishing dreams. Read the full interview here.
MDC Selects: These Model Rookies Are As Crafty As They Are Captivating
These model rookies are as crafty as they are captivating. Learn who thrives on old classics, who can’t imagine a day without tea, and who has synesthesia. Click the link here for their answers and more.
