Detroit is getting ready for a night where fashion becomes art. The DET GALA 2026 arrives December 5 at One Five One with immersive art, runway fashion, Detroit culture and a live performance by R&B artist Donnell Jones.
“Fashion Is Art” sets the stage for an elevated night of creativity, runway presentation and live entertainment in Downtown Detroit
DETROIT, MI — Detroit’s fashion and creative communities will take center stage this December as the DET GALA 2026 brings together fashion, art, music and culture for an evening designed to turn the city’s creative energy into a full-scale experience.
Taking place Saturday, December 5, 2026, at One Five One in Downtown Detroit, this year’s gala carries the theme “Fashion Is Art.” Curated by Indie Fashion, the event invites guests to experience fashion not simply as clothing, but as a form of artistic expression.
Organizers describe the DET GALA as an elevated evening featuring immersive art, runway presentations, Detroit culture and live entertainment. The event’s message is captured in its invitation to guests: “Dress Bold. Be Art.”
A Night Designed Around the Arts
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with the Gold Reserve VIP Reception, offering guests gallery viewing opportunities and a silent auction. General admission follows at 7:30 p.m. with an art exhibition and cocktail reception, creating an opportunity for guests to mingle while taking in the visual elements of the evening.
At 8:30 p.m., the spotlight shifts to the runway for the evening’s fashion show.
The transition from gallery to runway reflects the central concept behind this year’s gala: fashion and art occupying the same creative space. Rather than presenting the runway as a standalone fashion event, the DET GALA is structured as a broader cultural experience combining visual art, design, fashion and entertainment.
Donnell Jones Headlines the Entertainment
The evening continues at 9:30 p.m. with the gala and a live performance by R&B artist Donnell Jones.
Jones, whose career includes the R&B hits “You Know What’s Up” and “Where I Wanna Be,” brings a strong music component to an evening otherwise centered on visual and fashion arts.
His appearance also underscores the connection between Detroit’s fashion and entertainment audiences, giving guests an opportunity to experience a live R&B performance within the gala setting. The DET GALA’s official website identifies Jones as the night’s featured live performer.
Detroit as the Backdrop
The choice of One Five One, 151 W. Fort Street, places the celebration in the heart of Downtown Detroit.
For a city with a long history of influencing music, design and popular culture, the DET GALA provides another platform for creative expression while bringing different segments of Detroit’s entertainment and fashion communities into the same room.
From the art exhibition and silent auction to the runway presentation and live R&B performance, the evening is structured to move guests through several forms of creative expression.
Catering will be provided by Andiamo, adding a culinary component to the evening’s VIP and gala experience.
More Than a Runway
At its core, the DET GALA’s theme presents a broader idea: fashion can function as art.
Every element—from what guests wear to the artwork they encounter and the designers showcased on the runway—becomes part of the evening’s visual story.
For Detroit’s fashion and creative community, events such as the DET GALA create opportunities for designers, artists, models, entertainers, industry professionals and audiences to connect around creative work.
As Detroit continues to attract attention for its expanding creative economy and cultural influence, the DET GALA arrives as an event that puts fashion directly into that conversation.
On December 5, the city’s fashion, art and entertainment audiences will gather downtown for an evening where the dress code is more than an instruction—it’s part of the experience.
Fashion is art. And at the DET GALA, Detroit gets the canvas.
DET GALA 2026
Saturday, December 5, 2026
One Five One
151 W. Fort St., Detroit, MI
6:00 p.m. — Gold Reserve VIP Reception, Gallery Viewing & Silent Auction
7:30 p.m. — Art Exhibit & Cocktail Reception
8:30 p.m. — Fashion Show
9:30 p.m. — The Gala featuring live performance by Donnell Jones
Theme: Fashion Is Art
Dress: Dress Bold. Be Art.
Tickets and additional information are available through the official DET GALA website…https://www.thedetgala.com/