“Fashion is very much an art form not in spite of the body, but because of it,” says Andrew Bolton, OBE, curator in charge of the Costume Institute. And this year’s exhibition, “Costume Art,” seeks not just to address this tantalizingly complex issue, but to explore it in all its many facets. The central thesis is as simple as it is thrilling: pair existing artworks with corresponding garments or accessories and let your synapses fire. The very layout of the show—broken into sections that move from Biblical nudity to the au courant idea of body diversity to the ways in which we’ve long used clothes not merely to adorn but to subvert and distort the body—indicates just how richly drawn this subject is and why it’s mesmerized artists since time immemorial.
Sinéad Burke, CEO of Tilting the Lens, emphasizes how this exhibit highlights bodies that have traditionally been overlooked, and as someone with a physical disability, she is among those featured. Her body has been memorialized in the exhibition as a custom mannequin, alongside model and musician Aariana Rose Philip, transforming their presence into a lasting part of the narrative around representation, fashion, and identity.
Additionally, this exhibition will be the first in the costume department’s new home, the Conde M. Nast Galleries. Once relegated to a modest 4,500-square-foot space in the museum’s basement, the department will now take flight in a grand, 12,000-square-foot display room on the ground floor, just off the central Great Hall. It is, says Max Hollein, the museum’s director, a symbol of how important clothing has become to The Met’s mission in exploring the many facets of art in the modern age. “We collect paintings, sculptures, textiles, arms and armor, but especially all the fashion,” he says. “And we want to make sure that it’s understood that fashion is a fantastic form of art.”
Featuring testimonials from Misty Copeland, Alex Consani, Gwendoline Christie, Aimee Mullins, Sinéad Burke, Aariana Rose Philip and more.
Director: Nina Ljeti
Directors of Photography: Michael Lopez, Henry Gill
Editor: Evan Allan
Senior Producer: Bety Dereje
Producer: Rashida Josiah
Associate Producers: Anisa Kennar, Justine Ramirez, Lea Donenberg
Camera Operator: Chanthila Phaophanit
Assistant Camera: Kahdeem Prosper Jefferson, Gordan Wong
Gaffers: Billy Voermann, Mary Kalecinska
Swing: Alex Frischman
Audio: Mariya Chulichkova, Joanna Hunt
Set Designers: Ilana Portney, Dana Keren
Production Assistants: Quinton Johnson, Myles Haywood
Runners: Edie Chesters, Rachel Ademidun
Groomer for Andrew Bolton: Shin Arima
Makeup Artist for Sinéad Burke and Alex Consani: Ai Yokomizo
Hairstylist for Sinéad Burke and Alex Consani: Sonny Molina
Makeup Artist for Misty Copeland: Victor Henao
Hairstylist for Misty Copeland: Nai’vasha Grace
Makeup Artist for Aariana Philip: Meadow Soleil Cloud
Makeup Artist for Gwendoline Christie: Daniel Kolaric
Hairstylist for Gwendoline Christie: Joe Kelly
Hair & Makeup Artist for Aimee Mullins: Stèfan Jemeel
Production Coordinator: Tanía Jones
Production Manager: Kristen Helmick
Senior Production Manager: Venita Singh-Warner
Line Producer: Natasha Soto-Albors
Assistant Editors: Andy Morell, Fynn Lithgow
Senior Motion Graphics Designer: Samuel Fuller
Post Production Coordinator: Holly Frew
Supervising Editor: Kameron Key
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Entertainment Director: Sergio Kletnoy
Global Talent Casting Directors: Ignacio Murillo, Morgan Senesi
Executive Producer: Rahel Gebreyes
Senior Director, Digital Video: Romy van den Broeke
Senior Director, Programming: Linda Gittleson
VP, Video Programming: Thespena Guatieri
Florist: London Blooming Haus
Photography By Paul Westlake
Images Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Special Thanks: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Still haven’t subscribed to Vogue on YouTube? ►► http://bit.ly/vogueyoutubesub
Get the best of Vogue delivered right in your inbox ►► https://bit.ly/3xAZyQg
Subscribe to the magazine ►► http://vogue.com/subscribe_yt
Download the Vogue App ►► https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vogue-runway-more/id289380413
Check out ‘The Run-Through with Vogue’ podcast ►► https://swap.fm/l/vogue-trt-youtube
Vogue YouTube Channels:
British Vogue: https://www.youtube.com/@britishvogue
Vogue Taiwan: https://www.youtube.com/@voguetvtaiwan
Vogue France: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueFrance
Vogue India: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueIndia
Vogue Japan: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueJapan
Vogue México y Latinoamérica: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueMexicoyLatinoamerica
Vogue Germany: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueGermany
Vogue Italia: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueItalia
Vogue Spain: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueSpain
ABOUT VOGUE
Vogue is the authority on fashion news, culture trends, beauty coverage, videos, celebrity style, and fashion week updates.
Vogue7 years ago
Vogue7 years ago
Vogue7 years ago
Vogue7 years ago
Lavishly Demure World7 years ago
Entertainment5 years ago
Vogue7 years ago
Vogue7 years ago
@Blessed_Beyond_Belief
November 18, 2025 at 1:23 pm
This woman does nothing but complain about her oppressed RICH 🤑 life and how bad white people are … as a black woman in here to let her know WE ARE EMBARRASSED by her and wish she would shut the heck up.. better yet go away like every other wife who is longer is in the white house. Insufferable 😩.. she keeps racism going ‼‼‼‼
@TeeisMimi
November 18, 2025 at 1:27 pm
❤
@marieleelee
November 18, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Hahaha I love that she asked the Queen if she took her gloves off.
@Blessed_Beyond_Belief
November 18, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Her comments about black hair is beyond ridiculous, black women do not straighten their hair for the purpose of pleasing white peoples . This woman is an embarrassment… what other First Lady comes out to speak of such low class topics . She’s ignorant and needs to find a hobby and get out of public view
@marybabameto1195
November 18, 2025 at 1:43 pm
how tall is she, she keeps saying “it was rare for her height” but she never looks freakishly tall in photos…does anyone know?
@sherylsmallwood-valdivia5375
November 18, 2025 at 1:55 pm
She’s 5 foot 11. Very tall for a woman considering
@marybabameto1195
November 18, 2025 at 2:10 pm
@sherylsmallwood-valdivia5375 omg!! i never knew, i’m 5’11’ (or 5’10” depending) too! tall girls unite:)
@LaJuanBB
November 18, 2025 at 1:47 pm
That Maroon suit ate downnnn! The whole look, hair, shoes ahh!
@DavidGatto
November 18, 2025 at 1:53 pm
I’m ready for Michelle to be President❤😊
@Blessed_Beyond_Belief
November 18, 2025 at 1:58 pm
Don’t hold your breath !
@seven3962
November 18, 2025 at 1:57 pm
queen
@LucarMarquez
November 18, 2025 at 2:10 pm
Michelle is so greatfull with her team doing this interview with them. She id so humble ❤❤❤❤❤ soooo classy
@carleneclark1702
November 18, 2025 at 2:11 pm
Sad 😔 to see this once brilliant black woman 👩🏽 look demented and sometimes acting befuddled, when criticizing her own husband. Sad 😔 that it’s showing after their mother died. The Evil 😈 we keep secret 🤐.
@jamesmarieellison
November 18, 2025 at 2:11 pm
@ 10:20 Barack was cheesing HARD.
@stanleycoleman
November 18, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Yes! More successful, smart, beautiful powerhouses like this please!
@djchambliss6561
November 18, 2025 at 2:19 pm
10:05-10:10 is such a mood.
@caitlinhaycock1133
November 18, 2025 at 2:22 pm
LOVE that Michelle had her team with her! She’s such an icon.
@karengutloff2004
November 18, 2025 at 2:25 pm
That burgandy pants suit for Biden’s inauguration was awesome.
@kpscarlett21
November 18, 2025 at 2:26 pm
💕
@karengutloff2004
November 18, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Buy the book “The Look”
@jswjanjan
November 18, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Gorgeous, glorious Michelle 🗽💙👑
@Cloudscontent
November 18, 2025 at 2:32 pm
Love this and the representation for the people behind the scenes doing their thing
@davynj3
November 18, 2025 at 2:36 pm
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ beautiful team.
@Haider-wl5cl
November 18, 2025 at 2:39 pm
So you know ed that ms Michelle 😮😮😮
@TinaBeck-w5r
November 18, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Perfection! Our best First Lady!
@quincysmith7714
November 18, 2025 at 2:47 pm
Congratulations to your success
@pieterwolt1245
November 18, 2025 at 2:49 pm
the best , thanks
@Lamx555
November 18, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Her and my mom have the same bday 🙂