Even among the megawatt stars who will be in attendance at the 2026 Met Gala on May 4, one boldface name stands out: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. After debuting on the Met's red carpet in 2008, Queen Bey dominated the early 2010s in a series of iconic gowns, primarily by Givenchy. Beyoncé's return as co-chair of the 2026 Met Gala (after a decade-long pause in attendance) has prompted a wave of frenzied speculation about how she will interpret the evening's theme, "Fashion is Art."
First: Gregorio T. Binuya, photographer. Beyoncé (wearing Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci) arrives at the Met Gala celebrating Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, New York, NY, May 7, 2012. Courtesy Everett Collection
Second: Gregorio T. Binuya, photographer. Beyoncé (wearing Emilio Pucci) arrives at the Met Gala celebrating Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, New York, NY, May 2, 2011. Courtesy Everett Collection
With over 220 million records sold globally, 99 Grammy nominations and 35 Grammy awards—the most of any artist in the ceremony’s history—Beyoncé is one of the greatest performers of her generation. From the early 1990s onward, Beyoncé’s cultural impact has transformed female stardom, far exceeding the bounds of the stage.
First: Gregorio T. Binuya, photographer. Beyoncé (wearing custom Givenchy Haute Couture) arrives at the Met Gala celebrating CHINA: Through the Looking Glass, New York, NY, May 4, 2015. Courtesy Everett Collection
Second: Gregorio T. Binuya, photographer. Beyoncé (wearing Givenchy) arrives at the Met Gala celebrating PUNK: Chaos to Couture, New York, NY, May 6, 2013. Courtesy Everett Collection
As much as she is known for her musical hits, Beyoncé has also been lauded for her strategic use of clothing. Her sartorial inspirations include Studio 54’s disco days, the Black Panthers, the marching bands and majorette dancers of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), royal figures such as Queen Nefertiti and Marie Antoinette, and Black performers like Josephine Baker and Diana Ross. Beyoncé has launched new trends with each of her albums, used fashion to interrogate American national identity, and leveraged her platform to call attention to Black talent.
Derek Storm, photographer. Beyoncé (wearing Givenchy Haute Couture) arrives at the Met Gala celebrating Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, New York, NY, May 2, 2016. Courtesy Everett Collection
She has also collaborated with countless artists and designers—including the American shoe designer Stuart Weitzman. Two examples from their years-long collaboration will be exhibited at The New York Historical later this spring as part of the inaugural exhibition in our forthcoming Weitzman Shoe Museum. The new gallery is currently being installed and will showcase Stuart and Jane Gershon Weitzman's recent gift to The New York Historical that includes over 600 pairs of shoes. They range from fanciful "art shoes" made of wire, clay, and delicate cut paper, to historic 19th and 20th century shoes, as well as archival pieces from the shoe designer's own career.
Stuart Weitzman (b. 1941), designer. Stuart Weitzman (founded 1986), maker. Boots designed for the Mrs. Carter World Tour, 2013. Leather, metal. The New York Historical, Gift of Stuart Weitzman, 2025.25.160ab
Describing her longtime partnership with Weitzman, Beyoncé said “I have literally danced a thousand miles in his beautiful shoes.” Among the shoes he custom-made for her are the leather stiletto booties pictured here— one of more than 40 pairs of shoes Weitzman created for the 2013 Mrs. Carter World Tour for the singer, her backup dancers, and band members. Beyoncé’s physically demanding performances meant that she needed shoes not only to look great, but also to work for her. “I always enjoy collaborating with Stuart on shoes for my performance,” Beyoncé stated. “My performance can last more than two hours sometimes, so I need comfort as well as style.” Weitzman in turn said that “creating footwear for Beyoncé’s shows has been one of my most inspiring projects. She and her entire team know exactly what they need, always focusing on the fashion and the function of the styles that will be worn.” During the tour, Beyonce paired Weitzman’s shoes with a bedazzled bodysuit and cape designed by Givenchy’s then-designer Riccardo Tisci, complete with a cat's-ear cap.
Look for these shoes in our new Tang Wing for American Democracy, opening June 2026.
Written by Keren Ben-Horin, Associate Curator of Public History at The New York Historical
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