Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s sponsorship of the 2026 Met Gala has drawn criticism from activists and labor groups concerned about worker exploitation at Amazon.

Met Gala Sponsorship Under Fire

The 2026 Met Gala, sponsored and co-chaired by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, is facing significant backlash. The controversy centers on allegations of difficult working conditions within Amazon, prompting counter-programming focused on workers’ rights.

Protest Actions

The activist group Everyone Hates Elon has claimed responsibility for projecting anti-Bezos messages onto Manhattan landmarks, including the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. They also allegedly placed fake urine bottles within the Met museum to protest the treatment of Amazon employees. These actions highlight reports of employees being forced to work through bathroom breaks.

‘Ball Without Billionaires’ Counter-Event

In response, the Service Employees International Union organized the ‘Ball Without Billionaires’ fashion show in Gansevoort Plaza, New York. This event reimagined the Met Gala’s ‘Fashion Is Art’ theme, instead promoting ‘Labor Is Art’.

Workers as Models

The ‘Labor Is Art’ fashion show featured Amazon, Whole Foods, and Washington Post employees, alongside workers from Starbucks and Uber, as models. Domingo Castillo, an organizing leader with the App Drivers Union and a fashion designer, emphasized the importance of uniting to fight for workers’ rights across different companies.

Ethical Fashion Contrast

Prao Leeswadtrakul, founder of Salteye Studio, explained that the ‘Labor Is Art’ theme aligned with her brand’s values of ethical production and responsible sourcing. Salteye Studio intentionally contrasts with Amazon’s fast-fashion model, prioritizing quality and fair labor practices.

Sustainable Initiatives Amid Criticism

The criticism comes as Bezos and Sánchez are investing in sustainable fashion initiatives, including a $6.3 million collaboration with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and $34 million in grants for sustainable textile research. Despite these efforts, activists maintain that recognizing the contributions of essential workers is crucial, asserting that billionaire wealth is built upon their labor.