Actor Luke Evans caused a stir on the red carpet at the Met Gala in New York City on Monday, wearing a striking head-to-toe leather ensemble. The 47-year-old star commanded attention in a brown leather jacket and matching trousers, the latter featuring an array of buttons around the seat. He completed the look with a brown leather hat, a coordinating tie, and a black shirt.
Tom of Finland Inspiration
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Evans revealed that his outfit was inspired by Tom of Finland, a Finnish artist renowned for his erotic drawings of hypermasculine figures. The actor posed confidently for photographers, finishing his attire with black shoes and a neatly trimmed moustache.
Met Gala Theme and Dress Code
This year's gala, often described as the Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets, adopted the theme 'Costume Art,' with a dress code of 'Fashion Is Art.' The event called on A-list attendees to explore how designers use the human body as a blank canvas. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute paired historical and contemporary garments for the exhibition, loosely divided into three categories: the classical and nude body, ageing and pregnant bodies, and the anatomical body. French luxury fashion house Yves Saint Laurent sponsored the exhibit.
Social Media Reactions
Evans's daring look sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. While some praised his bold fashion choice, others drew comparisons to the 'Leatherman' from the Village People. Comments on X included: 'Clean look on the red carpet, Luke Evans delivers,' and 'What in the village people is going on here?' Others quipped, 'It's giving YMCA,' and 'Is this a strip show or the Met Gala?' One fan admitted, 'I don't like admitting it but he looks so good here,' while another wrote, 'I'm unfortunately obsessed.'
Event Details and Controversy
The Met Gala, officially the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, takes place annually on the first Monday in May. The 2026 event had a host committee including co-chairs Anthony Vaccarello and Zoe Kravitz, along with members such as Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Angela Bassett, Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Sam Smith, and Teyana Taylor. The exhibition 'Costume Art' will run from May 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027.
The gala is a significant fundraiser for the museum, providing the Costume Institute with its primary source of funding. This year's event marked a notable moment as it was the first since Anna Wintour stepped down as editor-in-chief of American Vogue in June 2025 after 37 years. Wintour had been instrumental in shaping the Met Gala into the glamorous A-list affair it is today.
However, the 2026 gala was not without controversy. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 62, and his wife Lauren Sanchez sponsored the event, reportedly donating $10 million to the Costume Institute in exchange for being named honorary co-chairs.
