MET Gala 2026: the most talked-about looks

For years, the first Monday of May in New York has been more than just an annual fashion highlight. The MET Gala brings together fashion, art, pop culture, and power on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Those who show up rarely do so without a reason. Every look is a statement often preceded by weeks to months of preparation.

The MET Gala began in 1948 as a benefit dinner for The Met's Costume Institute. Since then, it has grown into one of the most exclusive events in the world. A ticket costs around tens of thousands of dollars, while entire tables can run into the hundreds of thousands. Yet, money alone is not enough: the guest list is strictly curated, with Anna Wintour as the deciding vote behind the selection. 

The theme of 2026

This year's theme, Costume Art, formed the common thread of the evening. This did not give designers and guests a standard dress code, but rather a source of cultural inspiration: Fashion is Art. The most talked-about looks are often not the most extravagant, but those on the red carpet that cleverly translate the theme into form, material, or narrative. 

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny chose to fast-forward time and appeared as an older version of himself. For the transformation, hyperrealistic makeup was used on his face, neck, and hands. Every wrinkle, sagging skin, and pigment spot was created by hand by makeup artist Mike Marino.

The look became more than a costume; it is seen as a reflection of our fear of having to face our own mortality. 

Katy Perry 

The theme Costume Art Katy Perry was given the opportunity to pair a custom Stella McCartney dress with striking accessories. The face-covering headpiece, in particular, caught the eye, a mirrored design reminiscent of a fencing helmet.

The headpiece functioned literally and symbolically as a reflection. The idea behind it was to invite the spectators to consider the fact that their perception of others can be a reflection of their own inner world. 

Madonna 

Madonna opted for a dark, theatrical look by Saint Laurent. She wore a satin dress with lace, paired with a transparent purple cape carried by seven “ladies-in-waiting.” A long dark wig, platform boots, and a hat featuring a ghost ship made the ensemble almost literally enchanting. At the same time, the look aligned with Madonna’s own groundbreaking fashion history. 

Beyoncé 

Beyoncé bid farewell to her Cowboy Carter era on Monday evening and appeared alongside her daughter Blu Ivy, who made her debut at the MET Gala. Beyoncé wore a form-fitting nude mesh dress adorned with a diamond skeleton that extended over her hands. A sun-shaped crown gave the look an almost divine appearance. Over the dress, she wore a feather-trimmed coat with a train several meters long, which required five people to escort her up the stairs. 

Heidi Klums 

Heidi's look aligned seamlessly with the theme by not only showcasing fashion but taking on a role. She transformed herself into a living statue. The grey outfit created a visual illusion of translucent, moving fabric over her entire body and face.