Taylor Swift & Idris Elba to Host Tech-Themed 2016 Met Gala

Katy Perry was on theme in 2010 wearing a CuteCircuit gown lined with LEDs. Photo: Getty Images

Fashion and technology have come a long way in the past few years. There’s Google Glass, solar panel-embellished clothes to charge electronics, rings that vibrate upon receiving a text message, and bracelets that track nearly everything happening in the human body. All of this — and so much more — will most likely be on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art come May 2016 when the Costume Institute opens “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.”

“Traditionally, the distinction between the haute couture and prêt-à-porter was based on the handmade and the machine-made,” explained Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute, according to Vogue. “But recently this distinction has become increasingly blurred as both disciplines have embraced the practices and techniques of the other.”

Fashions featuring innovative techniques such as laser cutting and thermo shaping will be juxtaposed with those considered advanced decades ago such as pleating and lacework. There will even be live workshops showing some of these processes in action such as 3-D-printing.

The annual Met Gala, fashion’s equivalent of the Oscars which serves as the exhibit’s grand opening, will be held on May 2 with Idris Elba and Taylor Swift serving as celebrity co-chairs. Fittingly sponsored by Apple, they’ll be joined by Jonathan Ive, the head of the Cupertino-based company’s Industrial Design Group, and, of course, Anna Wintour. Nicolas Ghesquière, Karl Lagerfeld, and Miuccia Prada will also serve as honorary chairs.

Last year’s “China: Through the Looking Glass” was the Costume Institute’s most successful exhibition in its history with more than 761,000 visitors. It was even granted a three week extension. “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” was the theme in 2014 and “Punk: Chaos to Couture” was the year before.

Look out for lots of LED dresses (Katy Perry already wore one to the 2010 event) on the red carpet. All of which will obviously be accessorized with Hermès Apple Watches.

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