On the first Monday of May, fashion’s biggest night, the Metropolitan Museum of Art steps became a runway of living masterpieces as the 2026 Met Gala embraced its boldest theme yet: “Costume Art.”
The gala explored the centrality of the dressed body, and the dress code provided was “Fashion is Art.” I believe the themes are not merely suggestions and should shape how stars formulate and design their looks each year.
The night aimed to celebrate creativity, but controversy surrounding Jeff Bezos, who served as an honorary chair and sponsor of the gala, fueled protests and calls for a boycott leading up to the night. The controversy prompted some celebrities, like Taraji P. Henson and Olivia Rodrigo, to sit out.
The gala has faced immense backlash in the past few years for its eerie tone deafness, due to the insane amounts of wealth poured in that overshadow the artistic and philanthropic mission of the event. Still, there is no denying the artistry and craftsmanship put into the looks and exhibits at the museum each year.
My best-dressed list always aligns with those who interpret the theme in creative, stunning ways that stick out from the rest.
This year’s theme encouraged all sorts of ideas, with many taking the art of the human body as inspiration, and others utilizing art throughout history to compile their looks. The biggest trends I noticed were bold colors and fashion that harkened back to ancient Greek statues.
As an art lover and AP Art History survivor, I couldn’t help but gush over looks that recreated art. For example, Hunter Schafer’s Gustav Klimt dress referenced his painting Mäda Primavesi.
The first guest I must mention was also the first to walk the carpet, Emma Chamberlain. Chamberlain has gone from an internet personality to a fashion icon over the last few years. She has served as the Met Gala carpet host numerous times, and her multi-colored, hand-painted Mugler turtleneck look this year draped gorgeously. Its intricate ruffling was distinctly reminiscent of a Vincent van Gogh painting. Chamberlain strongly set the tone for the night and had a hard look to beat.
In the theme of bright colors, this year’s Met debut winner was easily “One Battle After Another” breakout star Chase Infiniti. Following her iconic fashion throughout the awards season, I had high hopes for Infiniti at the Met, and she did not disappoint. Her Thom Browne look featured more than a million sequins and was an ode to the Venus de Milo statue. While others, like Kylie Jenner, also used Alexandros of Antioch’s famed figure to inspire their looks, Infiniti’s vibrant rendition takes the cake for me.
The next shoutout goes to supermodel Anok Yai, who has become a Met Gala fan favorite over the past few years, as she never misses the mark when it comes to dressing on theme. She embraced the costume element, becoming a statue with intense makeup that gave her a gold hue and prosthetic hair that created a frozen, hard appearance. Her custom Balenciaga gown transformed her into a Black Madonna, which can be found in Catholic churches across Europe. Yai was a walking piece of art, a masterclass in this theme.
A different interpretation of the theme that’s sure to stick in everyone’s mind was Bad Bunny’s look, which involved a sleek black suit and full makeup that dramatically advanced his age. He, like many, focused on the human body element, but instead of emphasizing the figure, his look was all about the beauty of aging. I was surprised by how beautiful I found this idea, and his unique take is sure to be remembered for years to come.
Finally, a look you might have missed was the exposed beauty of socialite Sabine Getty. I didn’t know exactly who she was, but I knew her look was perfection. Getty wore a second-skin Ashi Studio gown that fit like a glove. The front of the piece was painted in an 18th-century style to look like a naked body. It is a true work of art, and the hands in the painting were even identical to Getty’s own hands, down to the rings. It was by far the most beautiful interpretation of the many looks dedicated to the human body.
The night’s most striking moments came from those who understood that fashion, when done right, doesn’t just reference art — it becomes it.
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