Tech titans swear by emerging fashion talent at 2026 met gala

At this year's Met Gala, some of tech's biggest names skipped the usual red carpet spectacle, opting instead for a quieter, fashion-forward approach. Honorary co-chair Jeff Bezos and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg were no-shows, but those who did attend shocked the fashion world by choosing to wear looks from mainly independent designers.

Navigating fashion's establishment

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri stunned in a Kartik Research suit, while his VP of fashion, Eva Chen, wore a stunning Rachel Scott-designed Proenza Schouler piece. Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield and his wife Jen Rubio made a stylish duo in Conner Ives, while Charles Porch, OpenAI's new VP of global creative partnerships, donned a bespoke look from rising star designer Daniella Kallmeyer.

These tech moguls could have easily opted for the likes of Chanel or Gucci, but instead, they chose emerging talent. Their bold move was seen as a vote of confidence in the fashion industry's next generation of designers, and a chance for the tech elite to assert their own taste and style.

A look ahead for fashion and tech

Opting for indie designers signals a level of investment in fashion's rising stars, rather than its established houses. It's a strategic move for tech leaders, who are keen to emphasize the importance of taste and innovation in their own industries. By surrounding themselves with fashion's elite on the Met steps, they're making a statement about where they see the future heading.