The 2026 Met Gala turned the Metropolitan Museum of Art steps into a red carpet full of dramatic trains, face coverings, body art, prosthetics and family moments. The event followed the Costume Institute exhibit “Costume Art” and the dress code “Fashion as Art.” People reviewed the night’s most striking arrivals, naming Beyoncé, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Bad Bunny, Heidi Klum, Anne Hathaway, Sabrina Carpenter and others among the stars who shaped the conversation.
Met Gala 2026 theme and standout celebrity arrivals
PEOPLE has reported that the theme led to looks that were “artistic” and “carefully considered,” as well as some that felt “strange” or “unsettling.” Beyoncé drew major attention with a massive train, while photographers tried to hold her on the steps for more pictures. Nicole Kidman also made it a family moment by attending with her daughter, Sunday Rose, despite the event’s usual age rule for guests under 18.The outlet noted several revealing looks tied to the human body theme. Chase Infiniti wore Thom Browne, while Doja Cat and Hailey Bieber chose Saint Laurent. Stevie Nicks earned notice for a look that matched her signature style. Stanley Tucci, Felicity Blunt, and Emily Blunt also reunited on the carpet, days after events tied to ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2.’
Met Gala 2026 best and worst looks spark online buzz
Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Kendall Jenner wore similar sculpted busts, which People treated as one of the night’s accidental overlaps. Anne Hathaway brought a softer red carpet moment in a Michael Kors gown hand-painted by artist Peter McGough, paired with Bulgari jewelry. People linked the look to ‘Princess Diaries 3.’Sabrina Carpenter used film as her reference point. She wore a Dior gown by Jonathan Anderson, made from film strips, inspired by the 1954 Audrey Hepburn classic ‘Sabrina.’ Ciara honored Nefertiti with a gilded spiked hairstyle that took time to create. Hudson Williams described his makeup idea as “White Swan/Black Swan,” while Madonna and Angela Bassett also leaned into bold beauty choices.Rihanna and A$AP Rocky stood out as one of the night’s major couple moments. Kate Moss drew attention for a simpler approach to the theme. Bad Bunny used realistic prosthetics to show an aging body. Paloma Elsesser, A’ja Wilson, Anok Yai, and Ashley Graham wore body art. Jordan Roth, Heidi Klum, and Gwendoline Christie closed the night with some of its most elaborate and eerie interpretations.
