Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour Will Co-chair the 2026 Met Gala
The co-chairs for the 2026 Met Gala, span the worlds of entertainment, sport, and fashion: Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Spring 2026 exhibition, titled Costume Art, will explore the relationship between clothing and the body beneath. This year’s Costume Institute benefit marks Beyoncé’s first Met Gala appearance in a decade; she last attended in 2016 for the Manus x Machina exhibition, wearing Givenchy Haute Couture. Kidman and Williams, meanwhile, have been regular attendees over the years, most recently appearing at the Superfine gala this past May. Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz will co-chair the 2026 Met Gala Host Committee. Additional members include Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Alex Consani, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Paloma Elsesser, Lisa, Chloe Malle, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Lauren Wasser, Anna Weyant, A’ja Wilson, and Yseult. More host committee members will be announced at a later date. [Vogue]
Daveed Baptiste Wins the Second Empowered Vision Award
The Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation, in partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, has named Daveed Baptiste the recipient of the 2026 Empowered Vision Award. Baptiste was selected from a group of finalists that included Keith Herron of Advisry, Nana Kwame Adusei of Kwame Adusei, and Edvin Thompson of Theophilio. The award provides a $100,000 financial grant and a year-long mentorship program designed to support the designer in scaling their business while strengthening brand development, production strategy, and market positioning. “Daveed Baptiste ultimately distinguished themselves through clear, thoughtful storytelling and a disciplined, vulnerable approach to building and strengthening the tools needed to lead a business,” said Milton Dixon III, Program Director of the Empowered Vision Award. “We’re proud to support a designer whose work speaks to the future of fashion, and we’re excited to move forward with them over the next year of mentorship and continued investment.” [CFDA]
Last day to vote for Model of the Year
As we look back on the year that was, 2025 delivered viral show moments in far-flung destinations, the return of model legends, and plenty of designer shakeups. Now it is your turn to tell us who you think is on top, Models.com’s 2025 Model of the Year Awards are here. Categories include Model of the Year Women/Men, Breakout Star Women/Men +, Social Mover of the Year, the new Content Creator of the Year category, and Best Street-style Women/Men+. Which rookies impressed you, which legends made an impact, who used their platform to inspire change, and who was the defining Model of the Year? Cast your vote here by Friday, December 12 at 5 PM EST.
Chanel Headed to Biarritz For Cruise
While many brands are heading to the U.S. to present their Cruise 2027 collections, Chanel will kick off the season in the French coastal resort town of Biarritz. “Biarritz plays a fundamental role in the history of Chanel,” said Bruno Pavlovsky, President of Fashion and President of Chanel SAS. “We are delighted that Matthieu Blazy has chosen this destination, so dear to the house, to present his first vision of the Cruise collection.” Chanel sought refuge in Biarritz during World War I, establishing a boutique and workshop at Villa de Larralde. [WWD]
Ralph Lauren to Headlines Fall 2026 Milan Men’s Fashion Week Calendar
Ralph Lauren is heading back to Milan for the first time in more than two decades. The American designer will headline Milan Men’s Fashion Week (Jan. 16–20) with a runway show featuring Purple Label and Polo Ralph Lauren, marking his first menswear show in the city since Fall 2002. The show is scheduled for Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. CET at the brand’s Milan headquarters on Via San Barnaba, sharing opening-day spotlight with Zegna, returning to Milan after decamping to Dubai last season, and Dsquared2. The calendar includes 18 physical runway shows, with names like Prada, alongside a packed slate of presentations, parties, and activations, totaling 76 events overall. The full calendar can be found here. [WWD]
Industry Access: Does Fashion Still Know What Women Want?
Hosted at Soho Works, this Monday Models.com presents a live Industry Access conversation, Does Fashion Still Know What Women Want? with The New York Times Fashion Director & Chief Fashion Critic Vanessa Friedman, Diotima and Proenza Schouler Creative Director Rachel Scott, and Recho Omondi of The Cutting Room Floor, moderated by Irene Ojo-Felix, Editorial Director of Models.com. Join us for an insightful conversation with three voices who sit at the heart of how fashion is imagined, critiqued, and made visible. RSVP at [email protected] by 5PM EST Dec 12th, limited space available.
Model of the Week: Louis Vuitton Opener Djairo Mulder Steps Into Fashion’s Spotlight
Louis Vuitton opener Djairo Mulder stepped into fashion’s spotlight after being discovered while working as a pizza courier. For this edition of Model of the Week, learn more about Mulder’s most memorable fashion moment, one song he has on repeat, and other passions outside of modeling. Head here for the full interview and exclusive shots by Jaap Strijker.
Porsche Poon on Punk-Inspired Beauty
Makeup Artist Porsche Poon describes her style as raw, dramatic, and a bit punk-inspired. Moving from Hong Kong to London to pursue makeup full-time was Poon’s true calling, and eventually she went on to work for brands like Versace, Ferragamo, and Jean Paul Gaultier. For this Behind The Image, find out what inspires her, a challenge she faced on set, and how she overcame it, and more about her journey. Find the full interview here.
MDC Selects: Meet These Rising New Faces From Guadeloupe to Warsaw
Meet these rising new faces from Guadeloupe to Warsaw, all here to share different parts of their stories. See who experienced a tsunami, who’s allergic to burgers, and who’s obsessed with The Sopranos. Find their full interviews here.
And don’t forget the new additions to the The Hot List and Top 50 rankings!
