Inside The Mark Hotel: Where Met Gala Moments Begin
Before the flash of the red carpet and the spectacle of the steps at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the most coveted first looks of the Met Gala unfold just a few blocks away. For more than a decade, The Mark Hotel has served as the ultimate pre-Gala destination, where fashion’s most influential names prepare, pose, and depart for one of the industry’s most celebrated nights.
On Monday, May 4, 2026, The Mark once again set the stage for the evening’s most anticipated arrivals, offering an exclusive first glimpse at guests as they made their way to the Costume Institute Gala, themed “Costume Art.” Among those spotted departing was Met Gala chairwoman Anna Wintour, alongside an impressive lineup that spanned fashion, music, film, and sport.
This year’s departures reflected the evolving intersection of fashion and culture, from standout appearances by Cardi B, Doechii, and Sam Smith to style icons including Naomi Watts, Miranda Kerr, Karlie Kloss, and Ashley Graham. Actors such as Colman Domingo, Tessa Thompson, Maude Apatow, Hudson Williams, and Daisy Edgar-Jones added to the evening’s dynamic presence, while designers including Simon Porte Jacquemus and Alexander Wang underscored the hotel’s role as a true fashion epicenter.
In a moment that captured the forward-thinking spirit of the night, even innovation made an appearance, with Luka, a 5’11” robot accompanying Alexander Wang, marking a first for Met Gala departures and signaling the ever-expanding definition of style and storytelling.
Set at the corner of Madison Avenue and 77th Street, just steps from Central Park, The Mark remains synonymous with a particular kind of New York luxury, one that blends old-world elegance with a distinctly modern edge. Designed by Jacques Grange and home to 106 rooms and 47 suites, including the largest penthouse suite in North America, the hotel continues to serve as both a sanctuary and a stage for the world’s most influential tastemakers.
From its acclaimed dining by Jean-Georges Vongerichten to its signature scent, Jurassic Flower by Frédéric Malle, every detail reflects a commitment to experience and artistry. It is this balance of intimacy and grandeur that makes The Mark the definitive starting point for fashion’s biggest night.
Because before the Met Gala begins, it begins here.
Photography: Neil Rasmus/BFA for The Mark Hotel