Spotlight On…The Costume Institute

The Museum of Costume Art was founded by Aline Bernstein and Irene Lewisohn, who also founded the Neighborhood Playhouse, in New York in 1937. In 1946, the museum merged with The Metropolitan Museum of Art and became The Costume Institute and today its collection spans five continents and five centuries with over 35,000 garments and accessories.
 
The Costume Institute today has its own curatorial department at The Met and holds two major shows each year whose theme constantly changes. More recent themes include “AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion” (2006); “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy” (2008) and monographic exhibitions like “Chanel” (2005).
 
Each year, The Institute holds an annual benefit gala which is co-chaired by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The event is extremely popular and exclusive, with tickets starting at $6,500 per person.
 
The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue. New York, New York 10028

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