The "Charles James Beyond Fashion" Met Gala's dress code was "White Tie and Decoration." The following exhibition at the newly renovated Costume Institute was a retrospective on the Anglo-American couturier Charles James. It presented his designs in two locations - the first-floor galleries of the Museum and The Costume Institute's Anna Wintour Costume Center, featuring approximately sixty-five of his most notable designs, highlighting James's combination of sculptural, scientific, and mathematical approaches to construct innovative ball gowns and tailoring. Key exhibits included fifteen dramatically lit, impressive James gowns and ephemera, such as scrapbooks and pattern pieces, from his life and work, presenting a comprehensive view of his design process and its lasting influence on fashion​.