High-profile celebrities departed from The Mark Hotel in New York City on Monday to attend the 2026 [1] Met Gala.
The annual event serves as the primary fundraising gala for the Costume Institute. This year's theme, "Fashion is Art," emphasizes the intersection of couture and fine art, drawing global attention to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Attendees included Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour [1]. The stars were seen leaving The Mark Hotel and the Carlyle Hotel as they began their transit to the museum [1].
Observers noted the transition from the hotel departures to the museum steps, where the fashion industry's most influential figures gather to showcase avant-garde designs. The event is widely regarded as the most significant night in the fashion calendar, blending celebrity culture with high art — a tradition that continues this week in New York.
Security and crowds gathered outside the hotels to catch glimpses of the guests before they arrived at the museum. The procession from the hotels to the Metropolitan Museum of Art marks the start of the evening's public spectacle, setting the stage for the reveals of the "Fashion is Art" interpretations.
“Stars departed from The Mark Hotel to attend the Met Gala”
The Met Gala's 'Fashion is Art' theme signals a shift toward conceptual dressing, where garments are treated as sculptures rather than clothing. By centering the event on the Costume Institute's fundraising, the gala reinforces the museum's role as a global arbiter of style and cultural history.
