The Costume Institute Will Debut 25 Mannequins at the 2026 Met Gala in a Move to Embrace Body Positivity

The upcoming 2026 Met Gala exhibit promises to challenge established norms in the fashion industry with a groundbreaking display of new mannequins. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute has announced that its “Costume Art” exhibit will feature 25 innovative mannequins based on a diverse array of body types, moving away from the traditional size 2 figures that have dominated fashion showcases for years.

This shift towards body positivity is a significant step within a sector that has often been critiqued for its unrealistic representations of beauty. Andrew Bolton, the curator in charge of the Costume Institute, articulated the initiative’s aim to “challenge a history of museum mannequin display that’s very much characterised by thin, abled and standardised bodies.” He emphasised the importance of reflecting a “diverse range of real bodies with real, lived experiences” in the new exhibit.

The decision to include these fresh representations of the human form is not merely a response to contemporary discourse surrounding body diversity. It also serves to examine the dressed body in art throughout the ages. The exhibit is designed to invite viewers to reconsider what they have come to expect from fashion exhibitions and the figures that represent them.

To ensure authenticity in these displays, a team has collaborated with nine models to create 18 of the new mannequins. The remaining seven will showcase different shapes, including representations of pregnancy and varying male body types, although they are not based on specific individuals. The mannequins will boast a polished steel surface, resembling mirrors, which will complement the overall aesthetic of the showcase.

Among the selected models are notable figures who have actively engaged in promoting body positivity. Sinéad Burke, a disability advocate born with dwarfism, and Aimee Mullins, a multi-talented athlete and actress who wears prosthetic lower limbs, are both involved. Additionally, musician and model Aariana Rose Philip, who uses a wheelchair, brings her unique perspective to the initiative, as does Michaela Stark, whose designs will feature on three mannequins displayed in the exhibit’s Reclaimed Body and Corpulent Body sections.

Burke, who has also been engaging with guides and volunteers at the museum, aims to create an environment that encourages dialogue surrounding embodiment, fashion, and art. She expressed her desire to assist others in feeling visible and understood, allowing for gentler discussions around these sometimes contentious issues.

The “Costume Art” exhibit is set to open to the public on 10 May 2026. However, the new mannequins will not be a fleeting feature of the event. They will be incorporated into The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection, ensuring their future use in various exhibitions, thereby extending their impact beyond the initial showcase.

In an age where the fashion industry is increasingly scrutinised for its portrayal of beauty standards, this initiative by The Costume Institute marks a vital and progressive shift. By embracing a more inclusive range of body types, the “Costume Art” exhibit seeks to celebrate diversity and initiate a broader conversation about representation in art and fashion.

Overall, the introduction of these mannequins promises to enrich the experience of visitors, inviting them to consider the complexities of fashion through a much more relatable lens. As this initiative unfolds, it may well serve as a template for future exhibitions, paving the way for greater acceptance and appreciation of all bodies in the realm of art and design.