2027 Met Gala theme shifts focus to jeans and puffer coats

The Met Gala, scheduled for May 3, 2027, will center on ordinary clothing and materials rather than high couture. The exhibition, titled extraORDINARY: fashion and the poetics of the everyday, will examine how designers transform common items like jeans, T-shirts, and puffer coats into fashion statements. The announcement follows the cancellation of a planned John Galliano retrospective, a change that has divided commentary on the direction of the event.

Dana Thomas, author of Gods and Kings, criticized the new theme as a sign that the Costume Institute is disconnected from its audience. She questioned the logic of celebrating fashion's ability to turn everyday clothes into expensive products. Thomas argued that the cancelled Galliano show was a lost opportunity to honor Dolly Parton and designer Bob Mackie, both of whom died this year. She suggested a tribute to them would have attracted visitors and generated revenue.

The Galliano retrospective was cancelled months ago after renewed scrutiny of the designer's past. In 2011, he was found guilty of a hate crime related to racist and antisemitic remarks. Some online observers view the new everyday theme as a stark contrast to Galliano's fantastical style. Fashion platform 1Granary also voiced criticism of the new direction, while Line Sheet correspondent Malique Morris noted that disappointment is partly tied to expectations for the abandoned show.

Supporters of the theme see it as a creative opportunity. Celebrity stylist and Vogue contributor Marian Kwei welcomed the concept as a chance to explore design possibilities within familiar objects. Morris suggested the theme might shift red carpet trends toward fit and storytelling rather than extravagant displays. Denim has already appeared at the gala, with Da’vine Joy Randolph wearing an all-denim creation by Zac Posen in 2024.

The exhibition will also focus on recycling, upcycling, and reuse. Kwei cited Swedish designer Ellen Hodakova Larsson, who creates couture gowns from belt buckles and old spoons, as an example of this approach. She also mentioned Dutch designer Duran Lantink, whose work with everyday materials aligns with the new theme. These examples illustrate how designers are already working with non-traditional materials.

The event retains its exclusivity despite the down-to-earth theme. Individual tickets cost approximately $100,000, and Anna Wintour continues to oversee the guest list. Kwei warned that the theme could lead to missteps among attendees who are out of touch with current times. The dress code for the gala has not yet been announced.