At Marie Claire, we’ve been thinking about 2026 Met Gala live fashion updates—and our eventual best-dressed list—for months ahead of the first Monday in May. It’s been top of mind since the 2026 Costume Institute theme ("Costume Art") and dress code ("Fashion Is Art") were announced—invitations for this year’s A-lists guest to explore the relationship between bodies and the fashion they display, in visual art and on the Met Gala red carpet.
Every Met Gala registers to Marie Claire’s expert editors as a Fashion Olympics, but with directives like this—and co-chairs including Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams—the May 4, 2026, installment was instantly bound to deliver more looks that will live rent-free in our heads for years.
Tonight, follow along with senior fashion editor Halie LeSavage, fashion staff writer Meguire Hennes, and the entire Marie Claire team as we cover the 2026 Met Gala red carpet fashion live from New York City. We’ll divulge our honest takes on every look as it ascends the famed Met steps; track down the designers dressing stars from Hailey Bieber to Zoë Kravitz; and share our votes for the 2026 outfits worthy of a best Met Gala red carpet outfits of all time ranking. We’ll also keep you posted on the developments taking shape around the 2026 Met Gala fashion, like first-time couple debuts and the controversy brewing around this year’s co-sponsors. And, we'll answer the question every pop culture fanatic is asking: Are Taylor Swift and Zendaya definitely skipping this year?
By tomorrow morning, every Met Gala 2026 live red carpet fashion update we share will be on everyone’s minds—not just our own. Read on for our editors’ expert, no-holds-barred updates on the 2026 Met Gala's red carpet fashion ahead.
A Pre-Met Gala 2026 Red Carpet Vibe Check
“I live a few blocks away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Before tonight’s coverage really got started, I thought I’d walk by the red carpet and scope out the set-up. Early in the morning, there was a buzz of activity: the sidewalks were more crowded than the average Monday, and I could hear crews setting up inside the white tent covering the carpet. (Alas, I couldn’t sneak a peek inside.) So far, no protestors, either—but it was still early.” —Halie LeSavage
So, How Can I Watch the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet?
"The first Monday in May belongs to the 2026 Met Gala, which is already taking over the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Much like the Oscars and Golden Globes, guests can start arriving as early as 4 p.m. EST/1 p.m. PST. The early bird can still get a spot on best-dressed lists, after all. However, the Vogue.com official livestream—hosted by La La Anthony, Cara Delevingne, and Marie Claire cover star Ashley Graham—won’t kick off until 6 p.m. EST/3 p.m. EST.
"Don’t worry, you don’t have to wait for Vogue to start reviewing red carpet looks like Heidi Klum on Project Runway. My fellow Met super-fans (read: colleagues) are perched on our couches ready to react all night long. Plus, our deputy social director, Christina D'Ambrosio, has secured her spot on those iconic steps. Follow Marie Claire on Instagram and TikTok for the best view of the 2026 Met Gala and behind-the-scenes moments far from the watchful eye of Vogue." —Meguire Hennes
Peek Inside the 2026 Met Gala Exhibit: "Costume Art"
"Before the Met Gala red carpet opened, fashion insiders gathered within the museum to unveil a first-look at the official Costume Institute exhibit. Titled 'Costume Art,' it's an exploration of the relationship between bodies and the garments they dress in, in all forms of visual art.
"The exhibit is divided into two sections: Diversity in Bodily Being and Bodily Being in Its Universality. The first explores a range of body types, from those with disabilities to bodies experiencing pregnancy. The second dives deep into the anatomical body—and how it relates to aging and mortality. Both sections combine paintings and sculptures with runway pieces by the likes of Thom Browne, Dior, and more. From the photos alone, I know I'm already excited to go see the exhibit IRL when it opens to the public next week." —Halie LeSavage
Before the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet Fashion Arrives, a Look Back at the GOATs
"Decades of fashion history have been made on the Met Gala steps, from early looks modeled by Cher to Diana, Princess of Wales, in her only appearance before her untimely death. There are so many moments to reminisce on before tonight’s event, I asked Marie Claire editors to pick their all-time favorites to get us up to speed before the 2026 edition. The Slack conversation was intense, but we landed on 19 looks that we know we’ll keep talking about next year (and the year after that). Which ones made our ranking of the best Met Gala red carpet looks of all time? I’ll give you a hint: Rihanna is definitely there—but not in her Pope costume." — Halie LeSavage
Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet Dress Code
"If the Met Gala is a national holiday for you (same), you know one doesn’t just show up to fashion’s biggest night. VIPs started preparing for this five-minute step-and-repeat months ago—some as soon as the theme was announced last November. ‘The title ‘Costume Art’ refers to the history of the costume institute,’ said Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton. That pertains to the exhibition inside the 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries. But, it’s still the backbone of the dress code." —Meguire Hennes
"The dress code is the blueprint for Met Gala guests. Follow it, and Anna Wintour might just nod in approval. Defy it, and well, it could be a conversation-starter, at least. To set up Hollywood’s elite for success, Vogue curated 56 runway looks that align with the ‘Fashion Is Art’ dress code—all of which could appear on the red carpet tonight. Shalom Harlowe’s Alexander McQueen performance art, Zendaya’s Tom Ford breastplate, and naked dresses from Maison Margiela and Dilara Findikoglu made the cut. Method, art-centric creations from Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Valentino’s archives were split into Rococo, Baroque, and Renaissance-era interpretations of 'Fashion Is Art,' too. As long as VIPs hone in on the body, either through a surrealistic or literal lens, they can make their ‘Fashion Is Art’ argument, no questions asked." —Meguire Hennes
The Met Gala Red Carpet Fashion Arrivals to Watch First? The Co-Chairs
"The 2026 co-chairs list might just be the Met Gala’s most iconic yet. Anna Wintour, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and (drum roll, please) Beyoncé will breathe life into the theme and dress code. Not only that, Queen Bey’s co-hosting gig will double as her return to the Met Gala after ten years. The last time she ascended this iconic carpet, it was in Givenchy’s latex, skin-colored take on the naked dress trend—before it was a fashion fixture." —Meguire Hennes
"Details about the Grammy winner’s 2026 Met Gala look have remained under lock and key in recent months. Last week, she styled a voluminous, 'Hold Up'-worthy gown from this year’s main fashion sponsor, Saint Laurent, though. Will she wear Saint Laurent tonight? All will be revealed soon enough. But knowing Beyonce, she’ll take her time getting to the red carpet—you know, to build anticipation. 'Of course, with Beyoncé, you’re never quite sure she’s going to turn up, but she knows her timing and she was certainly worth the wait,' Anna Wintour told Vogue, reflecting on her 2012 Givenchy gown." —Meguire Hennes
Even More Met Gala Red Carpet Fashion Names to Know: The 2026 Host Committee
"Wintour, Kidman, Williams, and Beyoncé will be supported by Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz, the co-chairs of the Host Committee. The larger Host Committee stars Sabrina Carpenter, Teyana Taylor, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Lena Dunham, A’ja Wilson, and more. Besides Beyoncé, I’m especially keeping my eye out for Carpenter and Taylor, both of whom delivered some of my favorite 2025 Met Gala moments." —Meguire Hennes
What's Met Gala Fashion Without a Little Controversy?
"There are two more names associated with this year’s Met Gala who aren’t getting quite the same red-carpet welcome: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez-Bezos. The pair—and the former Amazon CEO in particular—are lead co-sponsors for the event, a move that’s drawing backlash from all corners of the internet. Protest signs nodding to alleged workplace abuses at Amazon appeared across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday morning. Meanwhile, fashion commentators are bristling at Sánchez-Bezos’s eventual arrival on steps—a move that’s being seen as ‘buying’ her way into fashion’s inner circle." —Halie LeSavage
It's Time! The First Met Gala 2026 Fashion Arrivals—and a Glimpse at the Red Carpet
"Any Met Gala aficionado knows one of the most exciting reveals happens before a single step-and-repeat. The carpet itself—and the press-blocking walls up each end—are dressed to the nines, too. Last year’s garnishes set a high bar for the 2026 Met Gala. For a quick refresher: A large portion of the 2025 staircase was covered in navy blue carpet, featuring daffodil embroidery on top. Then, the butter-yellow and orange flowers came to life in front of the press, which added tons of visual interest behind each celebrity—instead of just cameras and tuxedos." —Meguire Hennes
"From the first arrivals hitting my feed, it looks like the 2026 Met Gala red carpet isn't red at all. It's taking a similarly garden-inspired tack, with what look like moss-lined bricks and greenery lining the sides. I'm not sure how it quite relates to the 'Costume Art' exhibit yet, but I suspect the organizers will share some details when they arrive on the carpet in a little bit." —Halie LeSavage
What Else Can We Expect From 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet Fashion? Our Expert Predictions
“Well, my top 2026 Met Gala prediction had to do with Zendaya. We all know she loves an outfit change, so I anticipated a Shalom Harlowe-esque transformation atop the first set of stairs—down to the car-paint-spraying robots. That would’ve been a history-making “Fashion Is Art” moment. Alas, late last week, every Zendaya fan (myself included) shed a tear when word spread that she would skip a Met Gala red carpet dress. She’s having one of the biggest years of her career, so I’ll cut her some slack.” —Meguire Hennes
“As for the rest of the guest list, expect a widespread appreciation of anatomy. The exhibition itself spotlights Met-made mannequins from authentic, modern-day bodies, so why wouldn’t the red carpet reflect that? Prepare for pieces that cradle each A-lister’s silhouette, rather than bury it beneath fabric. On the off chance someone does debut a voluminous gown, it’ll likely be sculpted from see-through chiffon—think Vanessa Hudgens’s Moschino moment in 2022, or Elle Fanning in translucent Balmain in 2024. Remember: Tonight is about adoring the body inside the design, not the other way around.” —Meguire Hennes
“I completely agree with Meguire here—it’s going to be a big night for naked dresses. But I’m also hopeful that some guests—or at least, their stylists—will brush up on their art history and make some considered homages to paintings and sculptures included within the exhibit. How unexpected would it be to see Hailey Bieber channel one of Renoir’s dancers, or Tyla take on the draper of the Winged Victory of Samothrace?” —Halie LeSavage
'Marie Claire' Editors' Most Anticipated 2026 Met Gala Arrivals
“Every year I’m hopeful Taylor Swift will return to the Met Gala, and every year I’m disappointed when she decides to stay home. But there are dozens of other stars I’m excited to keep an eye out for. Teyana Taylor, fresh off an impressive awards season run where she topped every best-dressed list, is no doubt going to impress no matter who she’s wearing. We’ve also already mentioned it, but it’s worth repeating: Tonight’s gala is Beyoncé’s first in a decade. She’s going to shut down the carpet, no questions asked.” —Halie LeSavage
"I'm so excited for Zoë Kravitz (and her diamond engagement ring). I expect her piece will be more embellishments than actual fabric, perhaps in the same vein as her lingerie-exposing, 2021 Saint Laurent chainmail slip. Now that she—and creative director Anthony Vaccarello—are co-chairing the Host Committee, she’s all but required to respect the dress code. Tonight’s the night she’ll become Vaccarello’s blank canvas, whether she’s dressed in surrealist art or the nakedest number possible. Knowing Kravitz, her pick will still be unpredictable—much like her peekaboo butt panel at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.” —Meguire Hennes
"If anyone is guaranteed to go the risqué route, it’s Sabrina Carpenter. She’ll also be representing short fashion girls on the red carpet—a body type that’s honored inside the 'Costume Art' gallery, too. Fresh off a two-weekend collaboration with Dior at Coachella, perhaps creative director Jonathan Anderson will bring her part-pin-up, part-Hollywood starlet style to life. If Carpenter takes a break from Dior, I could see her in a sheer, Old Hollywood gown from Valentino Spring 2026 Couture. This one shows enough skin to 'put the body back into discussions about art and fashion,' just as curator Andrew Bolton intended. It also matches the opulence of not only the Met Gala, but Carpenter at her core. —Meguire Hennes
Media Warms Up the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet
"Reporters and TV personalities warmed up the 2026 Met Gala, much like they did at the 2026 Oscars, the Actor Awards, the Grammys, and more. Extra host Mona Kosar Abdi set a semi-sheer tone for future 'Fashion Is Art' dressers in a skintight, stark-white gown crafted from transparent lace. Its only opaque elements? Beside her corset's peekaboo boning, matching, sculptural strands of white silk wrapped around Abdi's bodice and onto a carpet-grazing train.
"Opposite Abdi on the mossy-green carpet was Zuri Hall, dressed in a similarly cinched lace gown. Her ribboned corset leaned a touch more ivory and opaque than Abdi's. But the skirt became partially sheer before the hem's tiered lace ruffles added dimension and obscurity."—Meguire Hennes
Emma Chamberlain Makes a Melting Fashion Statement on the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet
"The Met Gala red carpet has barely started, and Emma Chamberlain is already on my short-list for the night's best dressed. I almost can't believe how her strapless gown mimics the effect of paints mixing on an easel—it looks like if I reached out and touched the skirt, I'd have paint on my hands. Trust that I'm running to track down the designer behind this as I type...and, voilà! She's wearing custom Mugler by Miguel Castro Freitas, styled by Jared Ellner." —Halie LeSavage
Inside: Met Gala Red Carpet Fashion. Outside: Met Gala Protests
"The Met Gala red carpet is officially underway, and so is the pushback outside. Demonstrators just beyond the carpet are protesting Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez-Bezos with homemade signs critiquing Amazon (which Bezos infamously founded) and its workplace practices. While the co-sponsors will likely stop for a red carpet interview when they arrive, I'm not sure they'll address the pushback outside..." —Halie LeSavage
Ashley Graham Delivers the First Naked Dress of the 2026 Met Gala
"The 2026 Met Gala red carpet only opened a half-hour ago, but it didn't take the naked dressing trend long to dominate it. Marie Claire cover star (and Vogue.com livestream host) Ashley Graham proved 'Fashion Is Art,' especially when your silhouette is the canvas. Graham's plunge gown from Di Petsa was sculpted from nude chiffon, featuring matching netting on top for extra dimension. Stylist Stella Greenspan ensured each side of the skirt curved up and around the supermodel's thighs, before the train turned increasingly more translucent. Still, her Gianvito Rossi shoes were almost invisible. Don't miss her metallic silver-dipped fingers, which suggested Graham went straight from the art studio to the Met Gala's staircase."—Meguire Hennes
Cara Delevingne Arrives in Double-Take-Worthy Fashion
"Don't apologize for whipping your head around to catch the back of Cara Delevingne's 2026 Met Gala dress. I certainly was stunned by the sheer open back—and the cascading lace train. Maybe we need a Madame Web reboot with her as the star?" —Halie LeSavage
Anna Wintour Shows a Rare Smile On the 2026 Met Gala Sidelines
"The woman of the hour—rather, the entire evening—has arrived. I spotted Anna Wintour on the Met Gala sidelines, gazing at Cara Delevingne and Ashley Graham's 'Fashion Is Art' interpretations in awe. If only someone was there to give the feather cape atop her ombré, aquamarine-to-black Chanel dress a Wintour-esque nod of approval. Trust: I'm sending her one from afar."—Meguire Hennes
La La Anthony Ascends the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet
"I always look forward to Wiederhoeft's Met Gala designs, and this snatched dress for La La Anthony doesn't miss. All that intricate beading, including those dewdrop-adjacent charms? Stunning from neckline to hem. Stylist Zerina Akers is off to a strong start tonight." —Halie LeSavage
Lauren Sánchez-Bezos Makes an Understated Met Gala Entrance
"With all those eyes (and protestors) watching for Lauren Sánchez-Bezos and her husband, Jeff Bezos, it seems the former journalist wanted to go understated on the carpet. Was her cinched-in, strapless navy gown enough to keep her from pulling focus away from the main event? According to the throngs of demonstrators outside, probably not." —Halie LeSavage
Charli xcx's "Vampy" Met Gala Dress Debuts Outside the Carlyle Hotel
"This Saint Laurent take on Charli xcx's vampy style—the woman lives and dies by a black dress—is both modern and timeless: the cut and color are traditional, as are the diamond accessories, but the appliqué flower and gauzy fabric lends it a modern edge. Very cool, very Charli." —Jenny Hollander, digital director
Chloe Malle's Met Gala Debut as a 'Vogue' Lead Nods to Another Famous Woman
"In her first Met Gala appearance as head of Vogue, Chloe Malle chose an orange chiffon dress from Colleen Allen art fanatics everywhere will recognize. The gauzy fabric and clementine shade certainly seem adjacent to Flaming June, the 1895 painting by Frederic, Lord Leighton." —Halie LeSavage
Venus Williams Is the Second Met Gala Co-Chair to Shimmer On the Carpet
"Two of the three celebrity co-chairs have worn something sparkly on the Met Gala staircase, first Nicole Kidman, now Venus Williams. While I wait to see if Beyoncé follows suit, I'm bewitched by the sheer shimmer Williams's fitted black gown brought to the carpet. But since Swarovski designed it just for her, I'm not surprised. It wouldn't be a proper Swarovski pick without intricate strands of diamonds decorating her décolletage, right?" —Meguire Hennes
"As the Met Gala's co-chair, Venus Williams is under the spotlight tonight—and boy, did she deliver! The star arrived in a dazzling Swarovski dress dripping in crystals. My favorite part about her look is the scintillating neckpiece that's so bright, it can be spotted from a mile away." —Lauren Tappan, fashion editor
Nicole Kidman Pairs Her Sequin Met Gala Gown With a "Sweet" Mother-Daughter Moment
“I will be thinking about Nicole Kidman’s Met Gala look for a long, long time. It’s stunning. She looks incredible (and has never looked better). Add in the sweet mother-daughter moment with her daughter, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, and you’ve got a truly iconic moment.” —Julia Marzovilla, fashion e-commerce editor
This Year, Met Gala Fashion Is Hands-On
"Almost an hour into the Met Gala red carpet, an anatomical trend is taking shape: life-like hands hanging on to dress fronts for dear life. I'm sure once more Schiaparelli guests make it to the carpet, we'll see more photorealistic digits—and some internal organs, too." —Halie LeSavage
The Woman Behind the "Costume Art" Exhibit's Inclusivity Efforts
"Amid all the red carpet fashion, don't forget that tonight is about celebrating the Costume Institute's latest exhibition—much of which was brought to life by Sinéad Burke, pictured here. Her organization, Tilting the Lens, aims to make fashion more inclusive in every realm, including this year's Met Gala. Inside 'Costume Art,' she advocated for changes all visitors can appreciate, including mobility-friendly walkways, mannequins of various bodytypes, and an ASL interpreter for visitors." —Halie LeSavage
Chase Sui Wonders Is a Wonder in Lavender On the Met Gala Red Carpet
"It's hard to believe tonight's marks Chase Sui Wonders's first-ever Met Gala. I thought she had at least a few appearances under her belt, once she arrived in a bow-tied McQueen gown fresh from the Fall 2026 fashion show. You may recognize the neckline's silk, V-shaped panel from Chappell Roan's recent Paris Fashion Week run. The pop star styled the same semi-sheer slip, except in black." —Meguire Hennes
The 2026 Met Gala's Biggest Fashion Muse Is..
"John Singer Sargent's 1884 portrait of Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau, better known as 'Madame X,' is shaping up to be the Met Gala's most popular reference. Before the official livestream had even begun, two guests—Claire Foy in Erdem, and Lauren Sánchez-Bezos—had paid the once-controversial painting homage with corseted gowns featuring suggestively falling-off straps. I predict we'll see at least one more before the night is over." —Halie LeSavage
Gigi Hadid's Miu Miu Met Gala Moment Paints the Town
"Gigi Hadid's Met Gala gown couldn't be a further departure from her pre-ball ballet flats. Yes, both hailed from Miu Miu, but her bejeweled gray gown was entirely transparent. Sheer rhinestone fabric revealed pastel underwear beneath the bodice's paintbrush-looking strokes. As if her look wasn't ethereal enough, she committed to the artsy princess bit with tulips instead of a purse. Catch me romanticizing my local tulip field the Hadid way this summer." —Meguire Hennes
Lena Dunham's Valentino Met Gala Gown Is One for the Books
"There's plenty of blood red on the carpet tonight, but the most poignant, to me, is Lena Dunham in Valentino. So much of her memoir Famesick is about the agony of living inside her body—in her words, a body that feels like 'towing a wrecked car across town at midnight'—and in a year where bodies are made art, inside a heavily scrutinized body that has been the subject of art, while also being the scene of the crime for Dunham herself, so to speak—honestly, it's poetry." —Jenny Hollander
Connor Storrie Struts From the Cottage to His First Met Gala
"Forget a 'cunty little bob.' Instead, Heated Rivalry's Connor Storrie raises you, the cunty big scarf. The actor was spotted leaving his hotel ahead of the 2026 Met Gala in an exceptional Saint Laurent suit and a black and white polka dot pussy-bow blouse, which came with an extra, extra long scarf. The built-in accessory trailed several feet behind him and danced dramatically in the wind, creating the proper amount of fanfare for the heartthrob's Met Gala debut." —Emma Childs
Naomi Osaka's Met Gala Gown, By the Numbers
"Tennis phenom Naomi Osaka's Met Gala dress has stats to rival her own. The Robert Wun gown required over 3,280 hours of handwork, including placing the 659,000 Swarovski crystals lining the blood-red dress underneath her white cape. The brand says it's 'illustrating the human anatomy, needle by needle.' I say Osaka is cementing herself as a Met Gala GOAT in the making." —Halie LeSavage
Masks Off, Gwendoline Christie Has Arrived at the Met Gala
"My Marie Claire colleagues and I assumed masks would play a part on the 2026 Met Gala red carpet. About two hours in, Gwendoline Christie proved us right with a handheld mask alongside her gown's tulle take on the ruby red theme. I just realized it was her only visible accessory, apart from a voluminous feather hat and a statement dark lip." —Meguire Hennes
Zoë Kravitz's Met Gala Gown Makes Jaws Drop—Even With Her Engagement Ring Hidden
"Zoë Kravitz just delivered one of my favorite looks of the night! Okay, maybe I'm a bit biased because the star is my style icon, but you simply can't deny that this Saint Laurent look deserves all the praise. I absolutely love the sultry lace fabric, but what stands out the most is the sculpturesque silhouette that looks like a true work of art." —Lauren Tappan
Angel Reese Shoots and Scores a Met Gala Slam Dunk
"My jaw nearly dropped to the floor when I saw Angel Reese's custom Altuzarra Met Gala gown. Designed with dramatic puff sleeves, a high-slit hemline, and a lengthy train, her dress commands attention. Not to mention, the powdery pink hue makes her look like a true princess." —Lauren Tappan
Laufey Channels "Fashion Is Art" Through a Bridal Lens
“I got married almost two years ago, but if I were to do it again, I would want to wear Laufey’s look at the 2026 Met Gala. From the high neck to the column fit, it’s simply angelic. It’s structural and perfectly executed and I am simply shocked. She’s a bona fide fashion girl now!” —Julia Marzovilla
Sarah Pidgeon and Her Met Gala Debut: A 'Love Story'
"The stars of 2026's biggest shows are now having equally major breakout moments on the Met Gala red carpet. Case in point: Sarah Pidgeon, who paid homage to Nicole Kidman's 1997 Galliano Oscars gown with a custom Loewe look of her own. Personally, I'm so excited to see the former Marie Claire cover star branch out from Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy references to spotlight her own muses." —Halie LeSavage
Janelle Monae's Surrealist Return to the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet
"The singer is back, and more eye-catching than ever. Janelle Monae delivered an intricately beaded Met Gala red carpet dress—designed by a new-to-her collaborator, Christian Siriano. I just have one question: Where on earth did they source all the pieces for this gown?" —Halie LeSavage
Are Hudson Williams and Odessa A'zion Planning a Met Gala Outfit Change?
"Ever since Doja Cat wore a literal bath towel to the 2024 Met Gala, I've kept a sharp eye on celebs who appear to leave their hotels in nothing but their shower gear. Hudson Williams and Odessa A'zion seemed up to the same trick ahead of the 2026 carpet, but I won't be convinced until they show up on the Met steps in their spa gear." —Halie LeSavage
Karlie Kloss Takes Dior as Her 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet Date
"Karlie, looking 'Costume Art' right in the eye in Dior Spring Couture." —Emma Childs
Heidi Klum Does the Met Gala Fashion Most
The look that sparked several Marie Claire editor reactions...
"Halloween came early this year!" —Julia Marzovilla
"Had a feeling she was going to do the most." —Lauren Tappan
Stevie Nicks Presents Zara by John Galliano at the Met Gala
"I didn't expect to see Zara by John Galliano on a red carpet until September, when the collaboration's first chapter hits stores. But Stevie Nicks got first dibs on the 'beyond gender and beyond seasons' partnership for her first-ever Met Gala. Midnight-blue, silk taffeta intricately embroidered with tulle and chiffon rose appliqués became voluminous atop a dramatic crinoline. It wouldn't be a Stevie Nicks set without a feather-trimmed top hat from milliner Stephen Jones. Longtime Fleetwood Mac fans know its been her calling card since the '70s." —Meguire Hennes
The Met Gala Is a Family Affair
"From the minute I learned that Devil Wears Prada 2 co-stars Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci were brother and sister in-law, I was immediately jealous. Seeing them together on the carpet is the sweetest thing. Their structural looks feel tailored to perfection, and very New York-coded." —Julia Marzovilla
Sabrina Carpenter's Dior Dress Is Fresh From the Cutting Room Floor
"I was hoping Sabrina Carpenter would reunite with Dior's Jonathan Anderson for the Met Gala. My dreams came true—and then some—when she arrived not in fabric, but authentic film from halter neckline to hem, which played out Audrey Hepburn's 1954 movie, Sabrina. I know, she's too iconic for her own good, right?
"'We just finished all of my Coachella looks together and they hopped right into making this dream dress,' Carpenter told Vogue on the carpet. Just when I thought it couldn't get more memorable, her diamond-drop skull cap featured the Sabrina movie poster." —Meguire Hennes
Kylie Jenner Reunites With Schiaparelli to Prove "Fashion Is Art"
"There's no doubt that Kylie Jenner knows how to make jaws drop. Tonight, on the Met Gala red carpet, she did just that in a stunning Schiaparelli gown. The centerpiece of the look? An ultra-tight corset cinched around her waist. I'm not sure how she could possibly breathe in that thing, but she looks fantastic." —Lauren Tappan
It Took Bad Bunny "53 Years" to Transform Into His Met Gala Look
"Every Marie Claire editor had the same reaction to Bad Bunny's Met Gala look: Wait...is that him in old man makeup? Turns out, his chiseled cheekbones were stacked beneath pounds or prosthetics and an all-black suit. Props to my man for committing to the exhibition theme. Part of the new gallery focuses on honoring and normalizing aging bodies.
"'It's getting part of my life, always trying to do something different,' the singer told Vogue on the carpet. 'This day of the Met is a perfect day to explore and be creative and express yourself in different ways, so that's what I'm doing tonight.' According to Benito, it took 53 years to transform into his older self." —Meguire Hennes
Kendall Jenner Is a GapStudio Goddess at the Met Gala
"Kendall Jenner's gown? Hang it in the Louvre. In fact, her reference already is; Jenner worked directly with Zac Posen on a custom GapStudio gown inspired by the Victory of Samothrace, a Hellenistic Greek sculpture of goddess Nike that's currently on display in the Louvre Museum. Posen draped bunches of Gap T-shirts to create a wet marble look, making her look—dare I say it?—the chicest wet T-shirt contest of all time." —Emma Childs
Keke Palmer Is the Met's Most Glamorous Lady in Strawberry Red
"Keke Palmer is the star of the show, wearing a $1 million necklace from Wempe. But let us not overlook her strawberry red dress, which deserves just as much attention. From the carefully wrapped chiffon fabric to the high-low silhouette, this delectable piece is one to remember." —Lauren Tappan
Lisa Flaunts a Skeleton Sculpture at the Met Gala
“Lisa is such a fashion girl, so I was expecting something special from her at the Met Gala tonight. What I didn’t expect, though, was for her to wear 3D molds of her arms. But, that’s what we got from her Robert Wun gown. Her 3D-printed arms were holding up a sheer, bedazzled hood, giving her a fairy-like, ethereal feel." —Julia Marzovilla
Sorry (I Ain't Sorry), the 2026 Met Gala Belongs to Beyoncé
"Apologies to my fiancé for screaming at the TV. But I had good reason: Beyoncé made her official return to the Met Gala. She pulled off skeleton couture crafted just for her by Balmain alum Olivier Rousteing. Faux ribs, a collarbone, and pelvis were sculpted from rhinestones atop nude illusion mesh. The most dramatic of feather capes added just enough obscurity on the red carpet.
"But for Bey, her favorite moment was when her daughter, Blue Ivy, made her Met Gala debut. 'It feels surreal because my daughter's here. It's incredible to be able to share it with her,' the Grammy winner told Vogue. 'I think it's really just experiencing this through the eyes of Blue and being able to relax. I've done so many incredible iconic looks with him.' Perhaps she's referencing the costumes he created for her Renaissance, Cowboy Carter, or Formation tours." —Meguire Hennes
Kim Kardashian Boards the Met Gala Breastplate Bandwagon
"About an hour after Hailey Bieber arrived in a Saint Laurent breastplate, Kim Kardashian maximized the body-ody trend in a metallic-orange bodysuit. The custom Allen Jones one-piece fit her exact measurements, while its coned busts channeled her Marilyn Monroe moment at the 2022 Met Gala." —Meguire Hennes
The Met Gala Saves the Best Looks for Last
"Is it really the Met Gala if a few VIP guests don't arrive fashionably late? This year, Cardi B, Ayo Edebiri, Doechii, and Margot Robbie walked the carpet minutes before it closed. Cardi, for one, showed up and out in a sculptural Marc Jacobs gown, featuring ballooned lace atop the bust and mermaid hem. Ayo Edebiri's stark-white design couldn't have been a more ethereal departure from Cardi's avant-garde silhouette. The feathers atop Edebiri's shoulders looked like they were sculpted there from marble." —Meguire Hennes
"Much like Cardi—but in an entirely different font—Doechii also wore Marc Jacobs to the 2026 Met Gala. Burgundy chiffon stretched from her torso, around her neck, down to an asymmetrical, delicately-draped skirt. Leaning into the dress's bohemian aura, Doechii went barefoot atop the fresh-from-the-garden carpet. Meanwhile, Margot Robbie looked every bit an Old Hollywood star in a metallic gold gown, which channeled the feather trend started by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Lena Dunham." —Hennes
Breaking: Rihanna Re-Opens the Met Gala Red Carpet
"The carpet may have closed, but the rules don't apply for Rihanna. She—and boyfriend A$AP Rocky—finally exited the Carlyle Hotel around 9 p.m. ET, but her bronze Maison Margiela gown was well worth the wait. Her long-sleeve bodice's intricate embroidery was just as mind-boggling as the almost wet-looking shine of her sculptural skirt. And don't even get me started on her golden curls." —Meguire Hennes
Teyana Taylor's Fringe Was Made for the Met Gala Dance Floor
"I wish I could borrow Teyana Taylor's custom Tom Ford gown for one Monday—it doesn't even have to be Met Monday. All I want to do is let loose on any dance floor with its silver fringe flowing in the breeze." —Meguire Hennes
A Color Trend Fit for a Met Gala Princess
"Baby pink, ballet slipper, blush—whatever you call it, the light pink pastel is sweeping the 2026 Met Gala red carpet. I've seen Amanda Seyfried in a drop-waist pale pink Prada gown and Angel Reese in a robe-style custom Altuzarra gown in the same shade, but I'm sure more pink will pop up in Marie Claire's best-dressed list." —Emma Childs
The Pastel Takeover Continues With Blake Lively's Arrival
"Blake Lively took the Met Gala’s 'Fashion Is Art' dress code very seriously. The star arrived on the red carpet in a Versace gown decorated in pastel shades of yellow, pink, and purple, which blended together to create a watercolor effect. Designed with a flattering halter neckline and a bedazzled bodice, her look stood out among the rest." —Lauren Tappan
Celebrities Turn the Met Gala Red Carpet Gold
"By the time the step-and-repeats started winding down, the red carpet was practically painted gold. Everyone from Ciara and Gracie Abrams to Margot Robbie and Tate McRae proved 'Fashion Is Art' especially in such a striking shade. Ciara, for one, took the color trend a step further by wearing a choker necklace and crown, featuring gold tips." —Meguire Hennes
It's Time for the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet Best-Dressed List
"Well, friends, we're nearing the end of the night—which means it's finally time for me to reveal my Met Gala best-dressed list. I chose 14 stars who I felt took the night's 'Fashion Is Art' theme to heart (rhyme unintended), whether they referenced a favorite painting or nodded to one of their own artistic influences. There were some extra-late entries from Met Gala regulars—hi, Rihanna in Maison Margiela!—and some surprises from the evening's newest faces. All came with a double-stamp of approval by Marie Claire's style director, Sara Holzman. So now, I invite you to read and let me know, which were your best-dressed?" —Halie LeSavage
That's a Wrap On the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet
"Well, another first Monday in May has come and gone. Overall, there were far fewer naked dresses than I expected, and far more homages to painting, sculpture, and even film. It was also far less uniform than last year's 'Tailored to You' suiting extravaganza. Of course, the night is still young—and the after-party circuit could surface much more..." —Halie LeSavage
"I swear, I turned on the Vogue.com livestream, waxed poetic about Beyoncé's custom Olivier Rousteing gown, and bam, the 2026 Met Gala red carpet closed. I'm still getting my 'Fashion Is Art' bearings, but honestly, the twists and turns tonight were endless (complimentary). Surprises are what I crave in a Met Gala circuit, especially when celebrities still find a way to honor the dress code. Beyoncé, Hailey Bieber, Rihanna, and Naomi Osaka did that for me tonight—but not with the naked dresses I expected.
"Bieber, Rihanna, and Osaka wore full-coverage 'fits from Saint Laurent, Maison Margiela, and Robert Wun respectively. Each look highlighted the relationship between fashion and anatomy, just as Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton requested. Meanwhile, Beyoncé went about 60-percent sheer, 40-percent bedazzled skeleton, altogether making a surprisingly anti-naked dress. Consider me bamboozled—in the best way." —Meguire Hennes
"And with that, we'll see you back here in 2027 for the next Met Gala! Until then, read up on all our favorite looks of the night—and then keep up with our after-party coverage while you're at it." —Halie LeSavage
