THE NAT GALA
THE NAT GALA · 09.20.26
Water Is Life
From glacier melt to ocean tides, water connects every act of survival on this planet — this year, THE NAT turned its full lens on the element that gives us all life.
Images freely available on Open Planet
09.20.26 · Halo 28, New York
A Night in the Current
A sensory journey through the full cycle of water — built in light, sound and taste.
- 01
Salt of The Earth
Sophie Hunter’s salt marsh performance, adapted from Venice for New York.
- 02
Dinner by Yann Nury
Every ingredient sourced within 100 miles of the venue.
- 03
Two films by Studio Prince
Thomas Crowther on the science of optimism. Dr. Sylvia Earle in correspondence with the deep.
- 04
Water Is Life
Dee Jay Two Bears brought Fancy Dance and popping together to mark ten years since Standing Rock.
- 05
Leading Voices
Inspirational words on stage from foremost thinkers in science, investment, business and ocean. Thank you Thomas Crowther, Emma Watson, Tenzin Seldon, Jesper Brodin, Lord Fakafānua (Prime Minister of Tonga) and Titouan Bernicot.
- 06
NATCAP: Coral Rave
KP The Great below ground, with Spotify and Coral Gardeners — funding THE NAT GARDEN coral nursery in Tahiti.
The night, in pictures
Photography — Joe Short
A 10-Year Cultural Movement for Nature
Not a moment. A movement.
THE NAT was built to close the gap between culture and conservation — turning one extraordinary night into lasting capital and attention for the natural world.
In our epic first year, THE NAT welcomed Harrison Ford, Stella McCartney, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Elba, Hindou Ibrahim, Jane Fonda, Peter Seligmann, Sophie Hunter, Nemonte Nenquimo and Van Jones, among many others.
I wanted to take the outpouring of creativity and surprise of the Met Gala and harness it for nature. Make it modern and sexy. Think Coachella — not Womad.
Gail Gallie · Founder, THE NAT
Sustainable Fashion
What We Wore
In the build-up to the Gala, we worked with Black Pearl to provide a bespoke Sustainable Fashion Guide, helping guests make positive choices about what they wore on the night. Some of our VIPs were dressed by our fashion partner, Gabriela Hearst.
THE NAT GALA 2026 was supported by
Our Beneficiaries
Profits from THE NAT GALA fund nature restoration through our partners.
Conservation International
Restoring forests to help safeguard the water communities depend on.
Blue Marine Foundation
Dedicated to protecting and restoring life in the ocean.
Open Planet
Equipping and inspiring the next generation of nature storytellers.
Photography — GALA 2026 photography by Joe Short · Lee-Ann Olwage, Elliott Verdier, Kin Coedel, Lucia Alonso, Gui Christ, Mauricio Holc, Kyle Weeks, Kent Andreasen · GALA photography courtesy of THE NAT