Inside “Costume Art”: How Beyoncé, Madonna and stars turned the Met steps into a living gallery.
Just outside the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the red carpet transformed into a living museum Monday night, as fashion’s elite walked in pieces that blurred the line between wearable fashion and masterpiece sculpture.
The first Monday in May saw big stars in incredible fashions with the unveiling of the Spring 2026 exhibit, “Costume Art,” at the Costume Institute located at the Met. With a focus on Western art, it’s meant to bridge the divide between two huge artistic mediums — fashion and art — through their “relationship” to the human body.
Curator in charge Andrew Bolton told Vogue his idea was “to insist on the significance of the body, or “the indivisible connection between our bodies and the clothes we wear.” [Fashion] has an edge on art because it is about one’s lived, embodied experience.”
The theme of the red carpet, however, was “Fashion is Art,” which pushed celebrities to think about the variety of ways designers use the human body as a blank canvas, à la sculptural gowns and looks inspired by classical art.
The event was co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour. They also received a huge sponsorship from honorary co-chairs Jeff and Lauren Bezos — which in itself was the biggest scandal of the night. We felt the absence of icons like Zendeya, Dua Lipa and Meryl Streep who, while she has never attended, is rumored to have skipped the event because of Bezos’s involvement.
So, with the Met Gala officially over, we wanted to review some of the best-dressed attendees of the night who made social media buzz with each pose for the camera.
1. Beyoncé in Oliver Rousteing
For her iconic return to the Met Gala carpet, Queen Bey did not play around. Dressed in a custom Oliver Rousteing silver skeleton gown with a gradient ostrich feather coat, she really lived up to her queen title. While it may be a literal take of the theme, it’s reflective of the beauty within our bodies.
2. Jeremy Pope in Vivienne Westwood
Wearing Vivienne Westwood circa Men’s Autumn/Winter 1996, Pope looks dashing in a “slave to love” corset evening jacket that was hand-embroidered with pearls, glass beads, sequins and stones by renowned couture corset-maker Mr. Pearl. Paired with black slacks and brown leather boots, it highlights the theme’s connection with our bodies and the clothes we wear. No notes, he ate up all the other men.
3. Rachel Zegler in Prabal Gurung
Inspired by Paul Delaroche’s The Execution of Lady Jane Grey, Zegler pulls off this all-white corseted floor-length Prabal Gurung gown with a sheer eye covering. What makes this look stand out is its simplicity, but also the pointed statement of an innocent woman who “paid the price.”
4. Hunter Schafer in Prada
In a custom Prada gown that featured rosettes right under the bust, a bowed back and rips that showed off the floral train, Schafer looked stunning. Styled with heeled socks, soft makeup and flower in hair inspired by Klimt’s Mäda Primavesi, it’s like the painting came to life and lets Schafer do what she does best — serve elf beauty.
5. Madonna in Saint Laurent
Like a witch ready to cast a spell, Madonna came in a Saint Laurent black satin gown with a dramatic grey veil extending from her ship fascinator. No stranger to making a moment, Madonna came with seven maidens dressed in pastel satin lace dresses as they held up her veil. Influenced by The Temptation of St. Anthony Fragment II, b—h, she’s Madonna and she did not come to play.
6. Emma Chamberlain in Mugler
In arguably the best look of the night, Chamberlain is wearing a custom Mugler inspired by Van Gogh’s and Munch’s brush strokes. The dress was hand-painted using traditional fine art materials and took roughly 40 hours of painting time. With fringe on the sleeves and dark eye makeup, this look is reverent to not only the beauty of art, but what happens when you mix fashion and art.
7. Karan Johar in Manish Malhotra
Johar in Manish Malhotra sums up what I love about Met Gala fashion — the grandeur of everything. This is the moment to bring out exaggerated silhouettes, rich colors and different cultures, all of which Johar has in this oversized cape that pays homage to painter Raja Ravi Varma. Paired with the gold accessories and black elements like the pants and shoes, it’s so visually appealing and is at the intersection of culture and beauty.
8. Anok Yai in Balenciaga
Yai is very accustomed to being on theme, but in this structural all-black Balenciaga gown, she transcends everything. While the gown in itself isn’t anything crazy, you look into her face and are reminded of mater dolorosa with the gold-like face. Yai looks like an actual statue with her bewitching eyes and bronze-esque hair. It’s giving, when the museum is closed and the statues come to life.
9. Sabine Getty in Ashi Studio Couture
If you’re going to nepo, then you need to nepo right like Getty. In this custom Ashi Studio couture that looks exactly like a painting out of the 18th century, Getty stands out as someone else who understood how fashion and art meet. With the lace or netting being much lighter than the middle, it makes the hand-painted corset look very lifelike. Don’t stare too long, because it’s like an optical illusion. Three words: EAT IT UP.
10. Rihanna in Maison Margiela
Lastly, the widely considered undisputed “Queen of the Met Gala” reigns supreme in this diamond-esque Maison Margiela gown that took inspiration from medieval architecture in Flanders, Belgium. From the top of her head to the tip of her fingers, it all works together to show how fashion is art. While her arm candy looks a little basic, at least Rihanna stayed on theme and captivating.
Some honorable mentions that didn’t make the list include:
- Angela Bassett in Prabal Gurung
- Yseult in Harris Reed
- Alex Consani in Gucci
- Kendall Jenner in Gap Studio by Zac Posen
- Gracie Abrams in Chanel
- Sabrina Carpenter in Dior
- Anne Hathaway in Michael Kors Collection
- Colman Domingo in Valentino
- Bad Bunny in Zara
Header Image by Steph McClintic
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