“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
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@hindaln-603
October 7, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Well hello
@Aveirah
October 7, 2025 at 3:06 pm
yesssss diva
@KCNwokoye
October 7, 2025 at 3:07 pm
Absolutely stunning. She looks at peace. Keep on shining Nicole!
@lyndafoster9437
October 7, 2025 at 3:07 pm
Beautiful.
@ashmcaskill9233
October 7, 2025 at 3:08 pm
Beautiful human. Strong and kind person <3 Always been an inspiration for me.
@kentuckyChic
October 7, 2025 at 3:08 pm
You always look Amazing and so very chic 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️♥️
@JustMe-px9qy
October 7, 2025 at 3:09 pm
Why can’t she keep a husband?
@feelbaby1000
October 7, 2025 at 3:14 pm
Why do they keep fumbling Nicole?
@ericmcnellis1190
October 7, 2025 at 3:15 pm
her preferred diet is worms.. any questions 🤢👎
@jcc9549
October 7, 2025 at 3:32 pm
19 years. In what world is that NOT keeping a husband? LOL Geezus.
@RSDEPT
October 7, 2025 at 3:09 pm
Global Ambassador!
@bellaluna2014
October 7, 2025 at 3:10 pm
Gorgeous as always!!!
@Susan-y5l7l
October 7, 2025 at 3:24 pm
Such a beautiful woman an human. Exudes kindness and curiosity. Have loved her for 30+ years!!
@frosting6439
October 7, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Peace and healing towards Nicole ❤
@jcc9549
October 7, 2025 at 3:31 pm
CASHMERE JEANS??????
Well, she looks great in anything.
@규규라규
October 7, 2025 at 3:36 pm
Nicole kidman 🤍🩵
@drouinjohnny9036
October 7, 2025 at 3:37 pm
Nicole is the only one who can prononce Mathieu perfectly….impossible not to love her….she is the Chanel women….❤
@Lowkeyakari1153
October 7, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Vogue should start picking a random person on the street, and take them to a fashion show, full glam and stuff.. nobody really knows this type of lifestyle besides the rich people who always do these things.. love seeing it, but i think it would be cool for something new.. give someone a taste of what rich people do for fashion week.
@olegbb
October 7, 2025 at 3:39 pm
Have loved Nicole forever!!
@user-KOcurious
October 7, 2025 at 3:39 pm
Is it not Chanel makeup being used on her, according to what is pictured? How come?
@EM-fs8nb
October 7, 2025 at 3:44 pm
As a woman in her 30’s, seeing Nicole thrive at her career and purposefully working with so many female directors is so inspiring! I
@miguelperezgonzalez9293
October 7, 2025 at 3:52 pm
Of course, everything happened very quickly. All she had to do was put on a white shirt, like the ones my grandfather has…