Met Gala 2026: Theme Is ‘Costume Art’, Karan Johar to Make Debut — Deepika and Priyanka Expected to Attend
Met Gala 2026 theme is ‘Costume Art’. Event on May 4 — Deepika, Ranveer, Priyanka, and Karan Johar expected on the iconic red carpet.
Fashion’s biggest night is ready once again. The Met Gala 2026 is set to take place on Monday, May 4, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This year’s theme, guest list, and the growing presence of Indian celebrities — everything is generating buzz.
‘Costume Art’ — This Year, Fashion Becomes Fine Art
The official theme for Met Gala 2026 is ‘Costume Art’, and the dress code for guests is ‘Fashion Is Art’. That means the red carpet this year won’t just be about clothes — every outfit is expected to be a work of art in itself.
Imagine translating a painting into a garment — that’s the spirit of this theme. Expect looks this year to be far more experimental and bold than anything we’ve seen before.
When and Where to Watch Met Gala in India?
The red carpet kicks off at 6 PM New York time on May 4. For Indian viewers, that translates to 3:30 AM on May 5 — which means setting an alarm and staying up through the night.
In the US, it will stream live on Peacock, Hulu+Live TV, and DirecTV. For Indian audiences, Vogue India’s YouTube channel is the easiest option — no paid subscription required.
Who Are This Year’s Co-Chairs?
As always, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour will lead the event — a role she has held since 1995. This year’s co-chairs are Grammy-winning singer Beyoncé, Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, and tennis legend Venus Williams.
These three don’t just attend the event — they are involved in deciding the theme, setting the dress code, and curating the guest list.
All Eyes on These Global Stars
Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Zendaya, Sabrina Carpenter, and Hailey Bieber are among the names expected to walk the red carpet this year. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos, the event’s principal sponsors, will also be in attendance.
BTS fans are particularly excited — rumours are swirling that the K-Pop supergroup could make their Met Gala debut this year.
Karan Johar’s First Met! Deepika, Ranveer, and Priyanka Also in the Mix
From an Indian perspective, this year’s Met Gala could be genuinely special.
Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra — who became the first Indian celebrities to attend the Met Gala back in 2017 — are expected to return to the red carpet. Ranveer Singh is also being talked about as a likely attendee.
The biggest talking point, however, is filmmaker Karan Johar. If he shows up, it will be his very first Met Gala. His love for fashion is no secret, which makes his outfit one of the most anticipated things about the evening.
Beyond them, names like Isha Ambani, Nataasha Poonawalla, designer Manish Malhotra, and Alia Bhatt are also doing the rounds — though none of it has been officially confirmed yet.
Last Year: Diljit’s Maharaja Look Stole the Show
At Met Gala 2025, India sent three new faces. Shah Rukh Khan made his debut, Kiara Advani walked the red carpet with a baby bump, and Diljit Dosanjh arrived in a stunning Maharaja-inspired royal look.
All three turned heads — but it was Diljit who went viral. His ensemble, rooted in Indian princely tradition, trended on social media for weeks after the event.
A Journey Since 1948 — India Joined in 2017
The Met Gala began in 1948 as a modest midnight dinner. Today it is one of the most talked-about fashion events in the world.
Indian celebrities got their first invitation in 2017, when Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone both made their debut on the same night. Since then, India’s presence at the Met has grown steadily, year after year.
Alia Bhatt debuted in 2023. Shah Rukh, Kiara, and Diljit arrived in 2025. And now in 2026, the Indian contingent looks set to be its largest yet.
What to Expect Next?
On the night of May 4, the world’s eyes will be on New York. What gets worn on that red carpet will dominate social media conversations for days. For India, this year could be particularly memorable — if Karan Johar makes his debut and Deepika, Priyanka, and Ranveer all show up together, it would be the biggest Indian fashion moment in Met Gala history.
The wait ends at 3:30 AM on May 5.
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