The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art were transformed once again into the world's most prestigious runway for the 2026 Met Gala. This year’s theme, 'Costume Art,' invited guests to explore the intersection of nature, history, and the surreal under the official dress code 'Fashion Is Art'.
The evening in New York City was a display of creativity that ranged from ethereal elegance to bold, sculptural statements, celebrating the opening of the new Condé M. Nast Galleries.
"When you go through the museum, the only art form that connects every single gallery in the museum is the dressed body, so it's this sort of commonality within art and culture," said Andrew Bolton, Head Curator of the Costume Institute.
"Even if people say, 'I don't care about fashion,' or 'I'm not interested,' you're still making a statement by saying that," he said.
From the return of Hollywood royalty to the emergence of new fashion icons, these are the looks that defined the evening.
Singer Sabrina Carpenter ascended the steps in a shimmering, custom Dior halter gown made partly from film strips of the 1954 movie Sabrina.
Actor Blake Lively was a radiant vision in a voluminous gown featuring a multi-layered skirt of pastel ruffles in peach, lavender, and mint green.
Meanwhile, singer Tyla made a splash in a vibrant turquoise silk skirt paired with a sheer, crystal-encrusted bodice by Valentino.
BLACKPINK member Jennie Kim also opted for a sleek, iridescent "mermaid" look, her dress composed of scales that shimmered under the camera flashes.
Black and white remained a perennial favourite, but with a modern, high-fashion twist that leaned into the "Art" theme.
Actor Anne Hathaway stunned in a sculptural strapless Michael Kors gown featuring a dramatic hand-painted dove motif.
Singer Troye Sivan kept things moody and textural, sporting a cropped faux-fur waistcoat over a crisp shirt and tie.
"K-Pop Demon Hunters" star, singer Audrey Nuna embraced a graphic aesthetic, pairing a heavily embellished black-and-white ensemble with a matching wide-brimmed hat and a daring dark lip.
For those looking to push the boundaries of the theme, volume and unconventional accessories were the order of the day.
Model Anok Yai was a vision of bronze perfection, her skin and hair shimmering with a metallic finish that complemented her hooded, architectural black gown by Balenciaga.
In one of the evening's most dramatic reveals, singer and co-chair Beyoncé arrived in a custom "skeleton gown" by Olivier Rousteing, featuring a spectacular feather cape and train in shades of grey.
Providing a truly unique moment, actor Sarah Paulson arrived in a voluminous grey tulle "cloud" dress by Matières Fécales, featuring a surreal dollar-bill eye mask.
BLACKPINK member Lisa stunned in a white, veiled ensemble by Robert Wun, drawing inspiration from traditional Thai dance forms.
Singer Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky proved once again they are fashion's power couple; Rihanna wore a crystallised silver Maison Margiela gown with a voluminous textured cape, while A$AP Rocky opted for a pastel pink overcoat.
Rapper Cardi B brought sculptural volume to the carpet in a black lace catsuit defined by massive, oversized puff sleeves with peach and lavender accents.
Artist Bad Bunny adopted a surrealist take on the theme, appearing as an older man with styled white hair and a walking stick, providing a critique of the industry's obsession with youth.
Actress Nicole Kidman leaned into theatricality with a Moulin Rouge-inspired Chanel look designed by Matthieu Blazy. The saturated red sequin gown, accented with delicate feathered trim, paid homage to the cabaret showgirl aesthetic while maintaining a high-fashion silhouette.
Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu embraced the "Costume Art" theme with a highly technical and whimsical "bubble dress" designed by Iris van Herpen.
The avant-garde piece featured 15,000 glass bubbles and took approximately 2,550 hours of meticulous craftsmanship to complete. Beyond its visual complexity, the gown was interactive, utilizing internal mechanisms to blow actual bubbles as Gu ascended the museum steps.
As the sun sets on another Met Gala, the fashion world begins the long wait for next year. But for now, these images of craftsmanship and creativity will be analysed and archived as some of the most memorable moments in the event's storied history.
Elon Musk was not on the ballot in Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections, but he emerged as one of the biggest losers after Democrats swept to vic...
Uzbekistan has launched 145 investment projects worth $7.8 billion in its Bukhara region, aiming to create more than 14,000 jobs, boost industrial ...
Kazakhstan plans to manufacture 494 types of medicines through eight major investment projects worth a combined $862 million, Health Minister Akmar...
From international reporting and investigative documentaries to global forums and digital innovation, AnewZ marks two years of connecting Azerbaijan and the wider world.
Democrats captured majorities in both chambers of Congress on Tuesday, scoring sweeping victories that reached into Republican strongholds, with millions of voters delivering a strong rebuke to President Donald Trump.
Democrat wins surged on Tuesday across the United States with stunning victories in the South Carolina, Texas and Ohio senate races -- traditionally Republican strongholds -- in the 3 November midterm elections.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington will end its annual financial and military aid to Israel by the end of 2026, under an agreement he claims to have reached with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says the U.S. must act to prevent war after Tehran sent a “strong and rational response” to Washington. Meanwhile, U.S. forces have reportedly carried out limited strikes against Iranian targets, including Qeshm Island,
Australia has returned two ancient stone statue heads to China, more than 30 years after they were taken from imperial tombs in central China.
Uzbekistan is launching a new fashion academy in Tashkent to help local clothing manufacturers build their own brands, sharpen design skills and compete in international markets.
Baku is set to host the second “Fly to Baku” Art Weekend from 30 October to 1 November, bringing together Azerbaijani and international artists to explore the Caucasus’ wildlife and cultural heritage, and the need to protect nature.
A rare 67-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton known as “Jodi” has sold for $47.3 million at Sotheby’s in New York, smashing its pre-sale estimate and becoming the second-most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold at auction.
Iran is looking to turn its centuries-old tea culture into an opportunity for trade, industrial development and tourism as it held the Second Tea Festival in the northern province of Gilan bordering the Caspian Sea.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment