Met Gala 2026: Exploring “Costume Art” on the Carpet
The 2026 Met Gala embraced the theme “Costume Art,” inviting celebrities to interpret fashion as an embodied art form. This annual fundraiser supports the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and is known for its extravagant and imaginative dress code. Attendees were encouraged to experiment with lavish and whimsical styles that reflected the theme.
The event featured a star-studded guest list and co-chairs including Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Vogue’s Anna Wintour. The Met’s iconic steps were transformed into a lush garden setting with mossy bricks, where Broadway star Joshua Henry opened the evening with a performance of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” accompanied by dancers and a band.
Notable Celebrity Looks and Interpretations
- Beyoncé made her first Met Gala appearance in a decade, wearing a monumental gown by Olivier Rousteing. The dress featured an embellished skeleton design paired with a giant feathered cape. She attended with her husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy, who at 14 was one of the youngest guests, as the Gala typically requires attendees to be 18 or older.
- Rihanna wore a custom Maison Margiela creation by Glenn Martens, while Jay-Z arrived in a long pink coat.
- Anna Wintour chose a feathery custom Chanel gown, maintaining her signature style for the event.
- Nicole Kidman donned a red, long-sleeved beaded column gown by Chanel and attended with her daughter Sunday Rose.
- Venus Williams, co-chair and five-time Wimbledon champion, wore a black sparkling gown with a silver, jewel-encrusted neck adornment. Her sister Serena Williams wore a silver Marc Jacobs gown inspired by classical art.
- Lauren Sánchez Bezos wore a Schiaparelli gown inspired by John Singer Sargent’s famous painting “Madame X.”
- Joshua Henry not only attended but opened the evening with a musical performance, adding to the event’s theatrical atmosphere.
- Heidi Klum embraced the costume theme by dressing as a marble statue, reflecting the museum’s art.
- Bad Bunny appeared in makeup that aged him into a dapper old man, fully committing to the costume aspect of the theme.
- Angela Bassett wore a pink gown by Prabal Gurung inspired by the Harlem Renaissance painting “Girl in a Pink Dress” by Laura Wheeler Waring. She emphasized the role of fashion in embodying character.
- Emma Chamberlain wore a multi-colored Mugler gown resembling a painting, while Philip, the first wheelchair user at the Met Gala, expressed gratitude for representation at the event.
- Teyana Taylor brought her fringed dress to life with dance on the carpet.
- Cara Delevingne wore a Ralph Lauren gown with dramatic sheer details that created a vivid effect when she turned around.
- Chase Sui Wonders dazzled in a pale lavender dress adorned with diamonds.
- Lena Dunham wore a vivid Valentino dress inspired by Artemisia Gentileschi’s Renaissance painting “Judith Slaying Holofernes,” specifically the depiction of blood spraying from the Assyrian general’s neck.
- Charlie XCX chose a sophisticated black Saint Laurent gown with floral embellishments, departing from her usual color palette.
- Doja Cat wore a Grecian-style Saint Laurent dress made from silicone fabric.
- Sinéad Burke returned in a black corseted gown with flowing sleeve embellishments.
- Naomi Osaka presented two looks by Robert Wun: a white and red coat ensemble and a deep maroon dress with a lace-up back.
- Katy Perry was nearly unrecognizable behind a unique mirrored mask that opened to reveal her face.
- Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, stars of the show “Heated Rivalry,” wore daring menswear by Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, respectively, with Williams’ makeup inspired by the film “Black Swan.”
- Lisa of BLACKPINK wore a white Robert Wun gown featuring an illusion of mannequin arms holding a veil, while bandmate Rosé wore Saint Laurent.
- Zoe Kravitz chose a black lace Saint Laurent gown and frequently posed with her hand in her pocket amid engagement rumors.
- Sabrina Carpenter wore a dress made from celluloid film strips, referencing the classic film “Sabrina.”
- Sam Smith arrived in a glamorous robe with a towering feathered headpiece.
- Prada’s custom dress worn by Schafer was inspired by Gustav Klimt’s 1912 painting “Mäda Primavesi,” part of the Met’s collection.
- Stevie Nicks wore a voluminous black gown with a top hat, while Cher chose a black dress with a jacket combining elegance and toughness.
- Madonna appeared in a nautical-witch look with a tall ship-shaped headpiece and an ethereal grey veil, accompanied by models to assist her on the carpet.
- Kylie Jenner wore a Schiaparelli dress with a cleverly designed nude bodice that appeared to be falling off, and Kendall Jenner wore a Zac Posen dress for GAP that thematically complemented her sister’s look.
- Sarah Paulson wore a mask fashioned from a dollar bill, symbolizing the “1 percent.”
Significance and Representation at the Met Gala
The 2026 Met Gala highlighted fashion as a form of artistic expression, with many attendees drawing inspiration from historical art, paintings, and cultural references. The event also marked progress in representation, with Philip becoming the first wheelchair user to attend, emphasizing inclusion within high-profile cultural events.
Performances and dramatic presentations complemented the visual spectacle, reinforcing the Gala’s role as both a fundraiser and a celebration of creativity in fashion and art.