What to Expect from the 2027 Met Gala: A Celebration of Everyday Fashion

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced the theme for its 2027 Costume Institute exhibition, titled "extraORDINARY: Fashion and the Poetics of the Everyday." This exhibition will explore how designers creatively reinterpret common materials and garments. Following the cancellation of a retrospective on John Galliano due to backlash, curator Andrew Bolton aims to highlight the personal connections people have with their clothing. The exhibition will feature notable pieces, including a 1930s puffer coat and iconic Calvin Klein jeans. As the museum prepares for its 80th anniversary, the upcoming show promises to diversify its collection and engage the public.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 6, 2026, 10:31 IST

Metropolitan Museum of Art Announces 2027 Exhibition Theme

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has revealed the theme for its upcoming Costume Institute exhibition in 2027, which will focus on the transformation of ordinary items into extraordinary fashion. Titled "extraORDINARY: Fashion and the Poetics of the Everyday," this exhibition will delve into how designers creatively reinterpret familiar materials and clothing, including denim, puffer jackets, paper, and plastic, through innovative design and artistic concepts. The exhibition is set to coincide with the annual Met Gala, taking place on the first Monday of May 2027.

This new initiative comes after the museum decided to cancel a previously planned retrospective on British designer John Galliano, which was scrapped in August due to backlash from donors, city officials, and the Jewish community regarding Galliano's history of antisemitic and racist comments. The cancellation occurred shortly after the announcement of the show, prompting head curator Andrew Bolton to quickly devise a new concept.

Emphasizing Personal Connections to Fashion

A Shift Toward the Familiar

Curator Andrew Bolton shared that the new theme was inspired by the deep personal connections individuals have with their clothing. By exploring how people develop attachments to items like their favorite jeans or a beloved T-shirt, the exhibition seeks to showcase how fashion designers can elevate these everyday objects into sources of inspiration and wonder. Bolton hopes to encourage attendees to wear their own everyday favorites to the event, fostering a connection between the audience and the theme.

Exhibition Highlights and Future Plans

Context and Future Developments

The exhibition will include a variety of pieces from the museum’s permanent collection, along with loans and new acquisitions. Among the standout items will be a 1930s puffer coat by Charles James, borrowed from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, and a signature "sleeping bag coat" by Norma Kamali. Additionally, the collection will feature the iconic Calvin Klein jeans famously worn by Brooke Shields in her provocative 1980s ad campaign.

The decision to cancel the Galliano retrospective received support from critics, including New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who raised concerns about the exhibit's timing with Holocaust Remembrance Day. Following the cancellation, Galliano expressed his accountability for his past actions and the hurt caused to the Jewish and Asian communities. Anna Wintour, Vogue’s global editorial director and a prominent figure in organizing the gala, praised Galliano's decision to step back as a "courageous" choice.

While the theme for the 2027 exhibition is confirmed, the museum has yet to disclose the official dress code for the gala or the celebrity hosts who will grace the red carpet. As the Costume Institute approaches its 80th anniversary, this upcoming exhibition is anticipated to enhance the museum's collection through new acquisitions and contributions from various design houses.