Which 2010s Met Gala theme explored fashion’s relationship with technology?

The Met Gala theme exploring fashion’s relationship with technology was “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.”

The exhibition opened in 2016 and examined the traditional opposition between handmade and machine-made clothing. Its title used the Latin words “manus,” meaning hand, and “machina,” meaning machine. The exhibition argued that modern fashion often combines both approaches rather than placing them in a simple hierarchy.

More than 170 examples illustrated techniques including embroidery, pleating, lacework, draping, laser cutting, thermoforming and computer modeling. The show included historical couture alongside technologically advanced garments, demonstrating that machines can support highly expressive design.

The 2016 gala took place on May 2. Its dress code was “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” matching the exhibition title. The show was curated by Andrew Bolton and sponsored by Apple, whose involvement reflected the exhibition’s interest in digital tools and manufacturing.