The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Institute Benefit, universally known as the Met Gala, returned on Monday, May 4, 2026. The illustrious event saw Hollywood’s finest, alongside luminaries from the worlds of sports, music, and fashion, ascend the iconic steps in New York City. This year’s dress code, “Fashion Is Art,” challenged attendees to express their personal relationship with fashion as an embodied art form, celebrating the countless depictions of the dressed body throughout art history. True to form, the red carpet served as a testament to the intersection of fashion and historical art, as stars and designers collaborated to churn out boundary-pushing looks that highlighted the intrinsic artistry of style and dress-making.
The Co-Chairs and the Host Committee
The 2026 Met Gala was co-chaired by a powerhouse quartet: music icon Beyoncé, Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, tennis champion Venus Williams, and Vogue’s global editorial director Anna Wintour. Joining them as honorary co-chairs were Lauren Sánchez Bezos and Jeff Bezos, who also served as the lead financial sponsors of the gala and the accompanying exhibition. Additional support for the prestigious event was provided by Saint Laurent and Condé Nast.
The gala’s host committee featured a diverse array of talent from across the entertainment spectrum. The committee was led by Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz, and included Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Alex Consani, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Paloma Elsesser, Lisa, newly installed head of editorial content of Vogue U.S. Chloe Malle, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Lauren Wasser, Anna Weyant, A’ja Wilson, and Yseult.
The “Costume Art” Exhibition
The evening’s theme was intrinsically tied to the Costume Institute’s spring 2026 exhibition, titled “Costume Art.” Opening to the public on May 10 in the Met’s new Condé Nast gallery spaces, the exhibition is slated to run through January 10, 2027. Curated by Andrew Bolton, the Curator in Charge, the exhibition examines the centrality of the dressed body. It juxtaposes objects spanning centuries from across the museum’s vast collection with both historical and contemporary garments from the Institute. The goal is to connect artistic representations of the human form with fashion, displaying these century-spanning fashions on various body types to reflect fashion as a living, embodied art.
Co-Chairs Setting the Standard
The co-chairs naturally set a high bar for the evening’s sartorial displays. Beyoncé, making a triumphant return to the Met Gala for the first time since 2016, captivated onlookers in a shimmery silver dress crafted by Olivier Rousteing of Balmain. The gown’s crystallized, sculpted silhouette created a hauntingly beautiful skeletal overlay, complete with gloves embellished with jewels in the shape of hand bones. Topped with a spiked headpiece and a massive feathery train, the look was perfectly on theme and instantly became Met Gala legend. She shared a memorable red carpet moment accompanied by her daughter, Blue Ivy.
Nicole Kidman brought a vibrant pop of color and a touch of theatrical nostalgia to the museum steps. The actress sparkled in a red sequined Chanel dress with feathery sleeves, an ensemble that distinctly echoed the scarlet frock she famously wore as Satine in the Baz Luhrmann musical Moulin Rouge. Kidman, who posed on the carpet with her daughter Sunday Rose (who wore Dior), noted that her all-red look represented “vitality” and “love.”
Anna Wintour arrived elegantly in a Chanel feathered cape paired with an embroidered ombré dress. When asked about her artistic inspiration, Wintour shouted out the legendary painter David Hockney. Co-chair Venus Williams also dazzled as she arrived with her husband, Andrea Preti, fully embracing the artistic spirit of the night.
Masterpieces Brought to Life: Art History on the Carpet
Many attendees took the “Fashion Is Art” prompt literally, transforming themselves into walking canvases and classical sculptures.
Honorary co-chair Lauren Sánchez Bezos wore a custom Schiaparelli couture gown that served as a direct homage to John Singer Sargent’s famous, controversial painting, Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau). Channeling the cynosure of desire depicted in the original portrait, she wore the dress exactly as it was originally painted, featuring a daringly dangling strap.
Kendall Jenner stunned in a Grecian gown designed by Zac Posen for Gap. Featuring a bared leather breastplate, the look was a direct reference to the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the magnificent Hellenistic sculpture that stands at the heart of the Louvre’s staircase. Posen noted that the original sculpture must have been awe-inspiring, and hinted that the dress’s wings might contain a surprise reveal.
Hunter Schafer opted for a delicate and muted Prada gown that paid homage to Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. The silhouette and soft bow worn close to the face mirrored Klimt’s early-20th-century portrait of a young girl, Mäda Primavesi. Similarly inspired by Klimt, singer Gracie Abrams wore a Chanel gown that evoked the rich gold tones of Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, commonly known as the “Woman in Gold.”
Sabrina Carpenter brought cinematic art to life, stepping onto the runway in a remarkable dress made entirely of actual film strip. Created by Jonathan Anderson for Dior, the film used was from the classic movie Sabrina, which Carpenter cited as one of her favorite films of all time.
Broadway star Ben Platt wore a jacket directly inspired by Georges Seurat’s pointillist masterpiece, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, a fitting choice for a performer who previously starred in the musical adaptation of the artist’s life.
In one of the most delightfully meta moments of the evening, painter Amy Sherald wore a live, wearable version of her own acclaimed painting, Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance), an artwork that previously graced the cover of a March 2025 issue of the New Yorker.
Heidi Klum, known for her elaborate costumes, presented a clever tribute to the marble “veiled lady” statues that were popular in the 1700s and late 19th century. Tennis champion Naomi Osaka wore a white Robert Wun gown and hat featuring red paillettes springing out of gaping dark-red gashes in the fabric. A version of this striking dress is displayed in the “Costume Art” exhibit, specifically in a section highlighting art concerning the body in pain.
Avant-Garde Expressions and Theatricality
The Met Gala is renowned for the avant-garde, and the 2026 red carpet delivered conceptual fashion in spades. Lisa, the K-pop superstar from Blackpink, became a “New Woman” in a visionary three-dimensional sheer white gown by Hong Kong designer Robert Wun. The avant-garde piece featured a beaded veil held up by mannequin arms cast from a 3D print of the singer herself, positioned to evoke the intricate artistry of Thai dance.
Janelle Monáe embraced a fusion of nature and technology in a spectacular Christian Siriano gown. The dress was meticulously composed of eight live succulents, four butterfly figurines, two dragonflies, 5,000 black crystals, a computer motherboard, and 230 electrical, ethernet, and server wires.
Cardi B took a bold risk with a bulbous Marc Jacobs look inspired by German artist Hans Bellmer. Bellmer was known for building mannequins and dolls with an assemblage of body parts, creating silhouettes that were part bodacious and part grotesque.
Bad Bunny used his ensemble to make a profound statement on the fashion industry’s enduring obsession with youth. Dressed in a suit by Zara, the global superstar wore intricate prosthetics to appear as an old man, directly commenting on fashion’s role in promoting agelessness—a theme addressed within the museum exhibition.
Katy Perry turned heads in a metallic-and-mesh helmet. While it initially evoked sci-fi imagery, the piece, crafted by artist Samar Hejazi, was actually a direct reference to the mirrored faces of the mannequins featured inside the Costume Institute’s new exhibition.
Eileen Gu, the Olympic freestyle skier, arrived in a breathtaking bubble dress by Iris van Herpen that literally emitted actual bubbles as she walked the carpet. Olivia Wilde’s Thom Browne gown was one of the more cerebral looks of the evening; spare and somewhat jarring, it referenced the artistic license creators often take with the human form. Meanwhile, Kim Kardashian wore an intensely structured dress by Allen Jones that critics noted appeared to be one of the least comfortable looks of the evening.
Redefining Menswear
The men of the evening took considerable risks, pushing the boundaries of traditional formalwear with thrilling results. Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie was an immediate standout in an androgynous Yves Saint Laurent ensemble. Arriving initially in a dapper black suit, Storrie removed his jacket to reveal a black-and-white polka-dotted halter top with an elongated scarf that acted as a cape, paired with sharp patent-leather shoes.
His co-star, Hudson Williams, successfully shed his sporty on-screen image for a provocative baby blue Balenciaga suit. The matador jacket and matching slacks were lined with romantic heart-shaped embroideries, which he wore shirtless to add a racy, contemporary twist.
Jon Batiste eschewed the standard black-and-white tuxedo for an all-white ERL suit by Eli Russell Linnetz. The ensemble featured a puffy, floor-length jacket, a retro-style shirt, and an enlarged bow tie, creating a glowing red carpet presence. Reggaeton star Rauw Alejandro pushed boundaries in a sleek black YSL blazer complemented by futuristic crystal facial accessories, while actor Colman Domingo brought his reliable sartorial elegance to the steps.
Patrick Schwarzenegger embraced a darker aesthetic, wearing a Public School New York suit comprised of a small cropped black leather jacket, a long black coat, a cane, and black leather gloves with a ring worn on the outside, perfectly melding red-carpet formality with an edgy, supervillain-esque streetwear vibe.
Classic Glamour and Intricate Details
The red carpet also featured an abundance of classic glamour and meticulous detailing. Hailey Bieber channeled goddess energy in a custom Yves Saint Laurent gown featuring a 24-karat gold sculpted armor bodice and a royal blue skirt with a matching cape. Social media influencer Emma Chamberlain wore a multi-hued, floor-length custom Mugler gown resembling a beautiful swirl of watercolors.
Anne Hathaway, fresh off The Devil Wears Prada 2 press tour, wore a hand-painted canvas Michael Kors gown. Inspired by John Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” the dress featured a dove on the front and the goddess of peace on the back. Kors remarked on the carpet, “Anne is my Grecian Urn.”
Blake Lively looked radiant in a pastel Versace gown reminiscent of a gentle springtime Monet painting. Kylie Jenner opted for a Schiaparelli cream gown adorned with 10,000 natural baroque pearls, complete with a nude bustier designed as a trompe l’oeil illusion of a dress falling off its wearer.
Doja Cat arrived in a silicone creation by Yves Saint Laurent, dubbed a “Parisian nymph” look that appeared airy despite its unbreathable material. SZA brought Old Hollywood and Bollywood flair in a goldenrod ball gown accessorized with a striking headdress and nose chain. Teyana Taylor wore a head-to-toe silver fringe gown that evoked a disco-ready Nick Cave soundsuit.
Charli XCX wore a black tulle gown by Yves Saint Laurent featuring an iris detail on the bodice, a tribute to the legendary jackets Yves Saint Laurent designed in 1988 in homage to Vincent Van Gogh. Sam Smith paid glorious tribute to the Art Deco-era fashion designer Erté in a sculptural black sequined gown made by their partner, Christian Cowan.
Other notable musical acts included Grammy-winning rapper Doechii, who dazzled in a wispy, maroon Marc Jacobs dress and an eye-catching hat, and singer Ejae, who glowed in a silver halter gown by Swarovski featuring a jewel-encrusted collar. Model Cara Delevingne brought pure drama in a sparkly black Ralph Lauren train.
Political Statements and The Resistance Red Carpet
The theme of art inevitably intersected with political and social statements. Actresses Rachel Zegler and Sarah Paulson both made apparent references to Lady Justice on the carpet; Zegler was statuesque in white, while Paulson wore a gray tulle outfit featuring a dollar-bill blindfold.
Outside the glittering event, the atmosphere was highly charged. Just a few blocks south of the Met, the activist group Rise and Resist held a “Resistance Red Carpet.” Approximately 50 protesters gathered to demand “Tax the rich,” carrying signs with messages such as “The Met Gala: Laundering oligarchs’ reputation since 2012” and “Celebrate fashion, not fascists.” The demonstration featured costumed attendees, including one dressed in a hazmat suit and another as a stereotypical businessman, turning the protest into a joyful dance party set to Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.”
The Late Arrivals and Legends
As is tradition, Rihanna was fashionably late but entirely worth the wait, arriving in a stunning, liquid-y Maison Margiela creation alongside A$AP Rocky, who cut a dashing figure in a pink wool robe by Chanel.
Madonna also commanded the carpet, inspiring an unexpected hush as she arrived in a black suit and a dramatic ship headpiece. The pop legend was accompanied by a team of handmaidens and an assistant playing string music from a speaker, concluding the arrivals with the theatricality that only the Met Gala can provide.