The upcoming 2026 Met Gala will revolves around the Costume Institute’s new exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, titled “Costume Art.” The exhibition will explore “the centrality of the dressed body” across the Met’s vast collectsion. This year’s official red carpet dress code is “Fashion Is Art,” which immediately brings one thing to mind: Bodies, bodies, bodies. Out of all the designers that aren’t afraid to embrace the natural form, Jean Paul Gaultier is one that we can hopefully count on gracing the Met steps in May.
For his spring 1994 ready-to-wear collectsion, Gaultier introduced his now-signature mesh. Many of the looks acted as a second skin, with some featuring trompe l'oeil tattoos. The long-sleeved silhouettes provided all-over coverage, yet were just sheer enough to accentuate the body underneath. Runway pieces from the influential (and extremely memorable) collectsion have since become a major collectsor’s item, with dresses re-selling for upwards of $5,000.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Just a season later, for his equally-revered fall 1995 collectsion, Gaultier continued his focus on such graphic bodycon designs. Titled the “Cyber” collectsion, it saw Gaultier re-imagine the future of fashion through futuristic pieces, including a cyborg dotted catsuit. The pattern was originally designed on a computer using color gradients to suggest the form of a woman but evoked an otherworldly appeal. Supermodels such as Shalom Harlow and Helena Christensen sauntered down wearing the alien-like looks—and more than three decades later, the designs still feel totally fresh and forward-thinking.
It helps that many celebrities immediately embraced these styles. Fashion fans may remember when actor Robin Williams famously wore a red and white muscle-printed button up shirt from the spring 1996 “Pin Up Boys” collectsion on a red carpet. In 1997, actor Natalie Portman also donned a vibrant mesh dress from the fall 1996 collectsion. It’s a look that could easily be worn today, and still be deemed totally on-trend.
.jpeg)
.jpg)
Even now, the desire for JPG’s bodycon and body-centric wardrobe is still very much alive and well. A wide bevy of stars have continued to unearth vintage JPG—including the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Cardi B, and Doja Cat (to name a few). Many of them have worn the famous dotted Cyber dresses or jumpsuits from the ’90s, while others have paired Gaultier’s newly-released mesh tees with simple jeans.
There’s an enduring appeal to Gaultier’s mesh pieces that ties in perfectly to the 2026 Met Gala. Given the evening will explore how clothing can have a deeper connection to the body, Gaultier’s intriguing, abstract, and often dramatic bodycon staples have all the makings of an exceptional red carpet look. Why wouldn’t a star wear it?
.jpeg)
The question is: Which famous A-lister will brave the almost-naked style in front of hundreds of paparazzi (and millions of spectators online)? Kim Kardashian—a longtime fan and wearer of vintage JPG—seems a no-brainer, especially given she often goes full-throttle for the event. Cardi B, another super fan, could easily slip into one of his vacuum-sealed garments. Or, perhaps it will be someone entirely unexpected, such as a menswear moment from risk-takers like Bad Bunny or Colman Domingo. Place your bets now!
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
