The 2026 Met Gala unfolded on Monday evening, with celebrities arriving on a verdant carpet that evoked a forgotten garden, all in homage to the evening's dress code: 'Fashion is art.' The annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute drew a constellation of stars who interpreted the theme with breathtaking creativity.
Standout Looks on the Carpet
Tennis star Naomi Osaka made a dramatic entrance in a white sculptural gown by Robert Wun, featuring exaggerated shoulders and adorned with red feathers, complemented by a matching headpiece. The design echoes a piece currently on display in the Costume Institute's spring exhibition, 'Costume Art.'
Vogue correspondent Emma Chamberlain, known for multiple outfit changes, arrived in a stunning hand-painted Mugler dress. The rainbow-hued creation hugged her figure, with fringe cascading from the cuffs of the long sleeves, starting from her décolletage and flowing down the train.
Met Gala co-chair Anna Wintour, amid buzz surrounding 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' chose a cool mint ensemble rather than the iconic cerulean blue from the film. Her look featured a feathered cape and a beaded dress by Matthieu Blazy for Chanel, paired with her signature bob and oversized sunglasses.
Other co-chairs Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams opted for more subdued elegance. Williams wore a sparkling black off-the-shoulder gown with a bejewelled neckpiece inspired by a Robert Pruitt painting of herself. Event sponsor Lauren Sánchez Bezos arrived in a form-fitting Schiaparelli gown.
The Garden-Inspired Carpet
Unlike last year's blue carpet, this year's setting appeared intentionally aged, with grass creeping up the stone steps. Patches of overgrown grass, manicured shrubs, white wisteria hanging from the roof, and potted purple flowers in large terra-cotta planters created a natural, timeless ambiance.
Fashion as Art: A Historical Perspective
The dress code, set by Wintour and Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton, underscores the evolving relationship between fashion and art. Art historian Nancy Hall-Duncan, author of 'Art X Fashion: Fashion Inspired by Art,' noted that in the 19th century, art was seen as classical while fashion was deemed frivolous. Yves Saint Laurent's first fashion exhibit at the Met in 1983 faced heavy criticism, but since then, fashion exhibitions have become commonplace, with the Louvre hosting its first, 'Louvre couture,' last year.
Hall-Duncan told the Associated Press that the dress code is a definitive endorsement of fashion as art. 'Isn't that a giant step?' she said. 'It will indeed change perceptions.'
How to Watch
For those without tickets, the red carpet spectacle is available via the Vogue livestream, hosted by Ashley Graham, La La Anthony, and Cara Delevingne starting at 6 p.m., with Emma Chamberlain interviewing guests throughout the night. The Associated Press also offered a livestream of celebrities departing New York hotels from 4:30 p.m. on APNews.com and YouTube.
