Met Gala 2026 highlights: What the “Costume Art” night will be remembered for
Celebrating Met Gala’s “Costume Art” theme, celebrities and designers leaned into bold silhouettes and conceptual craftsmanship. A Qazinform News Agency correspondent highlights key appearances from this year’s most important fashion event.
The annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute brought together around 450 high-profile guests, reaffirming its status as one of the most closely watched events in global fashion. This year’s dress code, “Fashion Is Art,” encouraged attendees to treat clothing as a form of artistic expression, aligning with the museum’s new exhibition showcasing centuries of costume history.
Cardi B at the 2026 Met Gala looking like a large intestine…pic.twitter.com/AmkIwZDXt5 https://t.co/RaSUkJkx1u
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 5, 2026
eileen gu’s wearing custom iris van herpen ‘airo’ dress with bubbles coming out of dress at the met gala pic.twitter.com/ShAmgQgR60
— ✭ (@badestoutfit) May 5, 2026
Heidi Klum at the 2026 MET Gala. 📷 pic.twitter.com/FSBhmTLdxF
— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) May 4, 2026
Anne Hathaway attends the 2026 Met Gala. pic.twitter.com/COnqa7ISqj
— 21 (@21metgala) May 4, 2026
The Met Gala is an annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, to fund its exhibitions and operations. Some of my favorite looks so far this year for the theme Art is Fashion #MetGala pic.twitter.com/SzGPK7nK1k
— Samantha (@chitownsam723b) May 5, 2026
The evening was co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams, alongside longtime organizer Anna Wintour, now serving as Condé Nast’s chief content officer. Additional figures, including Zoë Kravitz and Anthony Vaccarello, contributed to the host committee, highlighting the event’s blend of fashion, entertainment and cultural leadership.
After ten years, our #MetGala co-chair @Beyonce has made her highly anticipated return to the steps of the Met. Get the details on her look for fashion's biggest night here: https://t.co/u9yYjAqMRf pic.twitter.com/rahJIMgVWD
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 5, 2026
Always one to understand the assignment, #MetGala co-chair Nicole Kidman has arrived at the @metmuseum in custom @CHANEL by Matthieu Blazy with her daughter Sunday Rose in @Dior by her side.
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 4, 2026
See every look from fashion’s biggest night here: https://t.co/XW51Q0SAt2 pic.twitter.com/3uvkyoHVbK
Venus Williams, co-chair of the evening stuns on the carpet at the #MetGala pic.twitter.com/TpThoGycyC
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 4, 2026
Zoë Kravitz and Anthony Vaccarello a the Met Gala 🎥@JPASC24 pic.twitter.com/diux0W2FEy
— deuxmoi (@deuxmoiworld) May 5, 2026
Among the standout looks highlighted by the editorial team, Emma Chamberlain wore a hand-painted Mugler gown by Miguel Castro Freitas, drawing inspiration from archival designs, including a 1997 butterfly dress, and reinforcing the concept of fashion as wearable art. Rihanna appeared in a sculptural Maison Margiela creation influenced by medieval architecture, while A$AP Rocky complemented her look in a tailored pink Chanel ensemble, continuing their tradition of coordinated appearances.
emma chamberlain wearing custom mugler by miguel castro freitas at the met gala 2026, the look is hand painted by artist anna deller yee, inspired by van gogh & munch pic.twitter.com/XI0WC7hoXH
— ❦ (@modelsdiaryy) May 4, 2026
It's date night at the 2026 #MetGala for @Rihanna and @asvpxrocky. RiRi opted for Maison @Margiela by Glenn Martens, while Rocky went for custom @Chanel by Matthieu Blazy. Rewatch tonight's red carpet livestream here: https://t.co/sP0ZgpYDce pic.twitter.com/qmN2nvxcVf
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 5, 2026
Gwendoline Christie chose a custom Giles Deacon design created by her partner, inspired by portrait artists such as John Singer Sargent, Madame Yevonde and Ira Cohen. Isha Ambani opted for a draped, sari-inspired Gaurav Gupta silhouette paired with statement jewelry and a distinctive mango-shaped accessory, blending traditional influences with contemporary couture.
Gwendoline Christie holds a mask on the carpet at the 2026 #MetGala pic.twitter.com/SgFwoJkhIt
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 4, 2026
Isha Ambani in custom Gaurav Gupta Couture for the Met Gala 2026.
— Gaurav Gupta Couture (@GG_Studio) May 4, 2026
In response to the theme Fashion is Art, the look is conceived as a study of the dressed body, where art is not applied, but lived.
At its core, a jewellery-integrated blouse set with heirloom stones from Nita… pic.twitter.com/caPWr24ujk
Lisa collaborated with Robert Wun on a conceptual piece featuring 3D-scanned arms arranged in poses inspired by traditional Thai dance, offering a sculptural interpretation of movement and form. Kylie Jenner appeared in an elaborate Schiaparelli couture gown that required thousands of hours of craftsmanship, incorporating pearls and hand-painted elements to create a richly textured finish.
Lisa is a three-dimensional vision in custom Robert Wun at the 2026 #MetGala. Watch as she breaks down her outfit to our livestream host @lala and tune in to the red carpet livestream now: https://t.co/I1J2ZbRcse pic.twitter.com/jV0HawrXZa
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 5, 2026
Kylie Jenner just hit the #MetGala red carpet in custom @Schiaparelli. See every red carpet arrival from fashion's biggest night here: https://t.co/9TD3shRmGC pic.twitter.com/OGGB1LP95T
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 4, 2026
Meanwhile, Kendall Jenner reinterpreted a classic white T-shirt silhouette in a custom GapStudio by Zac Posen design, using molded liquid jersey and hand-dyeing techniques to give the garment a refined yet understated look.
No because what do you mean #KendallJenner’s #MetGala dress did this the whole time… pic.twitter.com/sEiuKuqkK9
— Cosmopolitan (@Cosmopolitan) May 5, 2026
Madonna completed the editorial selection in a dramatic Saint Laurent ensemble featuring a signature veil, maintaining her reputation as one of the gala’s most recognizable and expressive figures.
.@Madonna is in her witchy era. The pop diva wore a satin-and-lace @YSL slip dress with a scene-stealing cape in translucent violet organza, complete with its very own coven to carry it. See every red carpet arrival from tonight here: https://t.co/Gp4nBT4RcV pic.twitter.com/9JcVpb3Q8z
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 5, 2026
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported on the latest updates from the entertainment industry, including Harry Styles’ engagement.