The 2026 Met Gala brought a wide range of interpretations of this year’s theme. Let’s take a look at 10 celebrities who truly understood the assignment at the 2026 Met Gala.
Fashion, as an art form, is about storytelling–using garments to convey deeper meaning, emotion, and perspective. This year’s Met Gala showcased costume artistry, conceptual fashion, and the relationship between art and the body, all highlighting the many ways fashion can be interpreted as art. Beyond aesthetics, fashion can also be political, serving as a reflection of culture, identity, and expression.
Guests interpreted the theme in a variety of ways. Some recreated paintings and statues through fashion, bringing works of art to life on the red carpet, while others embraced the idea that fashion itself is the art form–using craftsmanship, construction, and storytelling to create visually striking looks. Here are some people who truly captured the theme.
Starting off strong, Emma Chamberlain wore a custom Mugler look designed by Miguel Castro Freitas.
She embodied the idea of becoming a living canvas. Speaking to Vogue, Chamberlain shared, “I’m somebody who really believes that fashion is art.” Styled by Jared Ellner, she knew Mugler would be the perfect choice for this year’s theme. The interpretation behind the look combined elements of oil and watercolor paintings through layered textures, blended colors, and an eerie undertone that reflects Emma’s signature aesthetic.
Fashion meets technology and nature with Janelle Monáe in Cristian Siriano.
The gown could be interpreted through the use of moss and electrical wires, symbolizing the relationship between nature and the growing presence of technology and AI. The butterflies woven throughout the dress add a sense of hopefulness to the narrative. The gown was expertly tailored and sculpted to create an hourglass silhouette.
Sabrina Carpenter’s look for this year’s Met Gala was a sight to see. She wore Dior designed by Jonathan Anderson.
Jonathan Anderson created a striking dress made from film strips, featuring Sabrina–one of Sabrina Carpenter’s favorite films–playing across the material. This Hollywood glamour inspired look offered a clever interpretation of cinema as art, bringing film to life through fashion and transforming storytelling on screen into wearable design.
Anok Yai brought drama and stillness with her statue–inspired look.
Anok Yai arrived at the Met Gala in statue form, with a look inspired by the Black Madonna. Speaking to Vogue, Yai said, “In the climate that we’re living in right now, we need hope. I feel like being the Black Madonna in a Trump world is going to send that message.” Yai collaborated with Pierpaolo Piccioli on the concept, wearing Balenciaga for the occasion. Fully embracing the statue theme, she also wore prosthetic hair to heighten the realism and sculptural effect of the look.
Karan Johar told an artistic story with his look, drawing inspiration from Indian culture.
Karan Johar fully understood the assignment at this year’s Met Gala. Drawing inspiration from the work of painter Raja Ravi Varma, he described his look as a “moving canvas.” Johar wore a design by Manish Malhotra featuring intricate hand painted details inspired by 19th-century Indian motifs, art, and cinema. The look was elevated with rich gold detailing on the jacket and an intricately crafted overcoat cape, bringing the idea that fashion is art in its own right vividly to life.
Hunter Schafer brought Mäda Primavesi to life with this look.
Schafer wore a custom Prada dress inspired by Mäda Primavesi, the 1912–1913 painting by Gustav Klimt. The design featured rose detailing aligned beneath the bust and on the shoulder, directly referencing the original artwork. Cutout elements that resemble tears in the fabric revealed a gray and floral pleated underlayer of the gown. Schafer also styled her hair with a gray rose bow as an additional nod to the painting.
SZA stepped out in a gorgeous yellow gown that highlighted her whimsical side.
Glowing in a stunning bright gown by Bode, SZA shimmered with embellishments throughout the design. The dress featured shades of ochre, marigold, corn, and golden flax, creating a warm, radiant palette. Inspired by SZA’s love of flowers and butterflies, the look was draped in gold and silver sequins and crystals for added dimension and movement. SZA and Bode collaborated to create a piece that felt personal and meaningful, with inspiration also drawn from her recent trip to India. As Bode explained, “SZA recently travelled to India and loves to support craft practices from all over the world. So one of the things I laid out during the process was floral appliqués cut from remnants of saris.”
Art as the human form is reflected in this dress, which embodies that idea.
Chase Infiniti wore a Thom Browne gown to her first Met Gala. The dress was inspired by Alexandros of Antioch’s famed 2nd-century BC Venus de Milo statue. It echoed the contours of the human form, emphasizing that not only the gown–constructed from 1.5 million stacked sequins in 600 different colors–is a work of art, but the body itself is also a work of art.
Madonna turned heads with a look inspired by the 1945 painting The Temptation of St. Anthony.
Madonna knows how to make heads turn, especially when it comes to referencing iconic works of art. Her look drew inspiration from The Temptation of St. Anthony, featuring seven women holding the cape behind her and an all-black “ghost ship” hat. The pop icon wore a Saint Laurent slip dress paired with a translucent violet organza cape. To complete the look, stylist Rita Melssen added black leather platform boots, along with a trumpet as a direct nod to the painting, tying the concept together in detail.
Talk about an illusion.
Lisa stepped out in a custom Robert Wun sheer white gown that blurred the line between sculpture and garment. The Hong Kong–born, London-based designer is known for his hand-sculpted creations that turn clothing into optical art, and this look was no exception. The dress featured carefully placed crystals that covered what was necessary while still revealing glimpses of the body underneath. A dramatic veil draped over the sculptural arm detailing across the pop star’s face, adding an ethereal, almost surreal finish to the look.
