The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art once again transformed into fashion’s most-watched runway as the 2026 Met Gala unfolded in New York, bringing together an unusually diverse mix of music, film, sports, and pop culture royalty under the theme “Costume Art.”

This year’s edition carried added anticipation with powerhouse co-chairs including Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams, each helping set the tone for a night defined by theatrical silhouettes, archival references, and experimental craftsmanship.

Beyoncé returns after a decade-long absence

One of the night’s most closely watched arrivals came from Beyoncé, who made her long-awaited return to the Met Gala after her last appearance in 2016. Her comeback immediately became one of the defining narratives of the evening, marking a full-circle moment for one of the event’s most influential style figures.

Red carpet drama: masks, sculptural gowns, and bold reinventions

The 2026 red carpet leaned heavily into transformation and conceptual dressing.

Katy Perry arrived in a fully masked ensemble that concealed her identity entirely, turning anonymity into performance art and sparking immediate debate among attendees and viewers alike.

Blake Lively opted for vintage Versace, continuing her reputation for archival glamour with a look that leaned into timeless Hollywood structure rather than overt futurism.

Meanwhile, Lisa (Lalisa Manobal) delivered one of the night’s most architectural looks in a sculptural white gown by Robert Wun. The outfit featured a striking headpiece with 3D-printed arm structures supporting a flowing cape that extended into a dramatic train—blurring the line between fashion and installation art.

Pop culture storytelling through fashion

Sabrina Carpenter embraced cinematic nostalgia in a custom Dior creation by Jonathan Anderson. Her slit tulle gown referenced Audrey Hepburn’s 1954 film Sabrina, while rhinestone film-strip detailing wrapped her silhouette in a literal nod to Hollywood history.

Jennie Kim of BLACKPINK returned to the Met Gala red carpet with a polished, high-fashion presence, reinforcing her status as one of fashion’s most consistent global ambassadors.

Hailey Bieber took a more restrained approach, appearing in a sculpted gold breastplate paired with a flowing deep-blue chiffon skirt, balancing armor-like structure with soft movement.

Reinvention, tailoring, and unexpected silhouettes

Simone Ashley made her third Met Gala appearance in a draped chain gown by Stella McCartney, accessorized with De Beers diamonds and silver platform heels, merging red-carpet elegance with industrial texture.

In one of the most talked-about menswear interpretations of the night, Dwayne Johnson appeared in a black mohair tailcoat paired with a bow tie and a coordinated pleated skirt, challenging traditional red-carpet menswear codes with unexpected silhouette play.

A mix of rising stars and Met Gala veterans

Anne Hathaway joined the evening’s early arrivals, continuing her longstanding presence as one of the event’s most reliable fashion interpreters.


Amanda Seyfried and Maya Hawke also appeared on the carpet, each contributing to the night’s broader spectrum of classic-meets-modern styling.

Gigi Hadid continues her Met Gala streak

Marking her 11th Met Gala appearance, Gigi Hadid returned in a custom Miu Miu ensemble for the second consecutive year. Her black gown featured hotfix crystals, floral embroidery, and flame-inspired patchwork motifs, blending multiple aesthetic references into a cohesive, statement-making silhouette.

A red carpet defined by experimentation

Across the board, the 2026 Met Gala leaned into fashion as performance—whether through masking, sculptural construction, or historical reinterpretation. The result was a red carpet that felt less like a procession and more like a curated exhibition of identity, memory, and reinvention, with each celebrity contributing a distinct visual argument to the theme “Costume Art.”