2026 Met Gala Theme Revealed & a Flurry of First-Time Collabs in This Week's Top Fashion News

Summary

• The 2026 Met Gala theme, “Costume Art,” was announced, focusing on elevating fashion’s status as fine art.
• Major collaborations dropped: Supreme x True Religion (Y2K denim), SKIMS x CPFM, GU x Engineered Garments, BEAMS PLUS x ACADEMY by Blackstock & Weber, and Kith x ‘47.

The 2026 Met Gala Theme Explained: “Costume Art”

The Met Costume Institute has announced the 2026 Met Gala theme will be “Costume Art.” This philosophical theme seeks to elevate the status of fashion, arguing that dress is a central and embodied expression in art history, moving away from the mentality that it is a lower art form compared to painting and sculpture. The accompanying exhibition, coinciding with the opening of the new Condé M. Nast Galleries, will display roughly 200 artworks from the Met’s collection alongside historical and modern garments. The exhibit will be structured around concepts of the human body, with sections like “Naked Body” and “Ageing Body,” aiming to highlight the indivisible connection between the body and clothes. The broad, universal theme is expected to prompt maximum creativity from designers on the red carpet on May 4, 2026.

BEAMS PLUS & ACADEMY by Blackstock & Weber Craft an Ivy-Inspired Capsul

Japanese style powerhouse BEAMS PLUS and Brooklyn-based footwear label Blackstock & Weber’s ACADEMY line have partnered for their debut collaboration: the “Orientation” capsule. The five-piece collection is inspired by B&W founder Chris Echevarria’s prep school days, aiming to break traditional Ivy codes with unconventional styling. Highlights include the 3B Jacket, featuring an intricate, hand-crafted crest and a reimagined Balmacaan coat, both constructed from four different Harris Tweed fabrics. Casual foundations include reverse-weave inspired sweat sets. The collection reflects a shift towards quality and a more subdued aesthetic, moving away from logo-heavy trends. The “Orientation” collection is set to be available on November 21.

Supreme x True Religion Fall 2025 Collaboration

Supreme is tapping into high-contrast Y2K nostalgia with its new Fall 2025 collection alongside denim icon True Religion. This partnership fuses Supreme’s dominant streetwear aesthetic with True Religion’s signature loud style and iconic horseshoe logo. The comprehensive collection features a full wardrobe lineup, led by heavy outerwear pieces such as a premium Leather Trucker Jacket, matching Leather Pant, and a substantial Puffer Jacket. The drop also includes a Zip Up Hooded Sweatshirt, polos, and cold-weather accessories like beanies. All items prominently feature True Religion’s distinctive multi-colored stitch detailing, reviving the early 2000s denim aesthetic. The full collection is scheduled to launch on November 20.

Ronnie Fieg for ‘47 Debut Inaugural Collaboration

Ronnie Fieg and sports heritage brand ’47 have released their inaugural headwear collaboration, marking a significant first for the brand, as ’47 has altered its logo exclusively for this partner. Moving beyond traditional sportswear, Fieg elevates classic silhouettes using premium, luxury materials, including cashmere, fine Italian wool, and Velvet Patina. The headwear features upscale finishes like custom Japanese herringbone sweatbands and satin linings for maximum comfort. The collection includes the popular Aaron Classic Cap in Kith’s signature Nocturnal color and other iterations that pay homage to MLB teams. The exclusive release dropped as part of the Kith Monday Program on November 17.

SKIMS Unites With Cactus Plant Flea Market for Limited-Edition Holiday Capsule

SKIMS has launched its first-ever limited-edition holiday capsule, collaborating with the cult-favorite brand Cactus Plant Flea Market (CPFM). The collection is an unexpected fusion, reinterpreting SKIMS’ signature cozy loungewear and sleepwear with CPFM’s bold, playful, and unconventional graphics and silhouettes. The capsule spans women’s, men’s, and kids’ sizes (XXS to 4X), offering collectible statement sets and elevated basics perfect for the holiday season. The campaign, helmed by director Harmony Korine, features a diverse cast, including musician Ken Carson, artist Beabadoobee, and Kim Kardashian’s daughter, North West. The highly anticipated collaboration became available on November 20.

GU and Engineered Garments Announce Debut Collaboration

Japanese fast-fashion retailer GU is making waves with its first-ever partnership with New York-based label Engineered Garments. The 5-piece collection draws inspiration from 1970s “Manhattanism,” fusing vintage clothing references with military design elements to create elevated, crafted basics. Key pieces in the lineup include a reversible Padded Shell Parka made from windproof material, which offers a two-way design for adjustable length, and sophisticated Heavyweight Sweatpants designed with a neat central front crease. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to quality and craftsmanship, offering elevated basics at accessible prices, ranging from approximately $20 to $60 USD. The full Engineered Garments x GU collection is set to launch on December 5.