The 2026 Met Gala embraced the theme of “Costume Art” from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, with a “Fashion is Art” dress code for the evening. Despite some controversy over the event’s billionaire sponsorship, the red carpet showcased a night of fashion spectacle. Celebrities drew inspiration from classical sculptures, iconic artworks, and traditional cultural elements, transforming the carpet into a living art gallery.
Celebrities like Emma Chamberlain, Sabrina Carpenter, Blackpink’s Lisa, and others showcased remarkable fashion interpretations on the red carpet, reflecting the artistic essence of the night. Heidi Klum channeled Raffaelle Monti’s “The Veiled Vestal” with a stunning full-body illusion look created by makeup artist Mike Marino. Beyoncé stunned in a crystalline skeleton gown by Olivier Rousteing, embodying an anatomical study theme.
Madonna paid homage to surrealist painter Leonora Carrington with a custom Saint Laurent ensemble inspired by “The Temptation of St. Anthony, Fragment II,” accompanied by six elegantly dressed ladies. Kendall Jenner donned a Zac Posen creation inspired by the ancient Greek statue “Winged Victory of Samothrace.” Hailey Bieber’s look, designed by Anthony Vaccarello, drew inspiration from the 1969 collaboration between Yves Saint Laurent and sculptor Claude Lalanne.
Bad Bunny embraced transformative prosthetics inspired by “The Aging Body,” a theme from the Costume Institute exhibition. Chase Infiniti donned a beaded trompe l’oeil dress by Thom Browne, echoing the beauty of the “Venus de Milo” sculpture. Luke Evans sported a Palomo Spain outfit inspired by the graphic male figures in Tom of Finland’s illustrations.
Audrey Nuna shined in a Robert Wun creation inspired by Jackson Pollock’s abstract expressionist work “Number 26A, Black and White.” Angela Bassett exuded elegance in a Prabal Gurung design inspired by Laura Wheeler Waring’s painting “Girl in a Pink Dress.” Rachel Zegler mesmerized in a Prabal Gurung ensemble inspired by Paul Delaroche’s painting “The Execution of Lady Jane Grey.”
Cardi B turned heads in a Marc Jacobs creation inspired by the surrealist doll works of Hans Bellmer. Hunter Schafer stunned in a Prada outfit inspired by Gustav Klimt’s painting “Mäda Primavesi.” Anok Yai captivated in a Balenciaga design by Pierpaolo Piccioli, paying homage to the Black Madonna religious icon.
Each celebrity look at the 2026 Met Gala embodied the artistic themes of the night, celebrating the fusion of fashion and artistry on the iconic red carpet.
