Met Gala 2026: A Celebration of Costume Art and Fashion Creativity

The Met Gala red carpet was graced by the presence of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, who made a grand entrance in stunning outfits. Rihanna, dressed in a gunmetal Margiela couture gown, shared that her ensemble was inspired by her home country of Barbados. A$AP Rocky sported a pink overcoat with black piping and accessorized with gold chains and oversized pendants, creating a stylish look for the evening.
Rihanna, known for her iconic Met Gala appearances, was spotted leaving her hotel, building anticipation for her arrival on the red carpet. The singer is notorious for being fashionably late but always delivers a show-stopping look that is well worth the wait.
Madonna made a dramatic entrance at the Met Gala with a pirate ship atop her head and a group of girls in sheer blindfolds carrying her long gray train. The music legend even brought her own boombox, adding to the theatricality of her ensemble for the evening.
Beyoncé, accompanied by her husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy, graced the Met Gala red carpet in a stunning silver showstopper gown. As one of the co-chairs of the event, Beyoncé made a grand entrance, exuding elegance and glamour as she posed for photos with her family.
Blake Lively made a quiet yet impactful entrance at the Met Gala in a cascading pink and purple archival Versace ballgown. The actress, known for her impeccable style, looked radiant as she posed for the cameras before heading inside the event.
Anne Hathaway arrived at the Met Gala with designer Michael Kors, wearing a bird-adorned gown that captured attention on the red carpet. The actress, known for her roles in iconic films, made a statement with her unique and elegant ensemble for the evening.
Kim Kardashian, a Met Gala regular, arrived at the event with her mother Kris Jenner, showcasing a new hair look and a striking orange bodysuit with an open-front skirt. The reality star and business mogul always brings a bold and daring fashion choice to the Met Gala red carpet.
Cher and Bad Bunny made unique fashion statements at the Met Gala, with Cher stunning in black lace and leather while Bad Bunny sported an aged look with gray hair and special effects makeup. The music icons added their own flair to the evening's fashion extravaganza.
Serena Williams and Sabrina Carpenter posed together on the red carpet, with Carpenter wearing a custom Dior slit dress inspired by the film "Sabrina" and Williams sparkling in a Swarovski gown. The unexpected duo made a stylish entrance, capturing the attention of photographers and fans.
Stevie Nicks arrived at the Met Gala in bespoke Zara and John Galliano, turning heads with her unique ensemble and top hat. The rock legend made a grand entrance, showcasing her signature style and captivating the audience with her presence.
Katy Perry embraced an alien-inspired look at the Met Gala, wearing a silver mask that covered her entire face and adding a futuristic touch to her ensemble. The singer is known for her bold and creative fashion choices, and her appearance at the event was no exception.
Gigi Hadid revealed that her Miu Miu look included custom undergarments, adding a touch of glittering patchwork detailing to her sheer gown. The top model always brings a high-fashion sensibility to the red carpet, and her Met Gala look was no exception.
Ben Stiller arrived at the Met Gala with his wife Christine Taylor, sporting a blue suit and orange tie that showcased his team spirit. The actor added a pop of color to the red carpet, exuding charm and style as he posed for photos with his wife.
Lauren Sánchez Bezos opted for understated elegance in a strapless navy blue gown by Daniel Roseberry of Schiaparelli, adding a touch of sophistication to the red carpet. The former journalist and honorary co-chair of the event made a chic and timeless fashion statement.
Maluma looked dapper in a Tom Ford suit with his hair slicked back into a bun, blowing a kiss to fans and photographers as he made his entrance at the Met Gala. The Latin music superstar added a touch of charm and charisma to the evening's fashion festivities.
Naomi Osaka made a sultry statement in a sparkling red dress with anatomical features carved out in crystals, showcasing her unique and bold style on the red carpet. The tennis icon added a touch of glamour to the event, turning heads with her eye-catching ensemble.
The Met Gala red carpet was filled with celebrities making striking fashion choices, from Lena Dunham's voluminous red feathered gown to Gwendoline Christie's mask modeled after her own face. The stars embraced the theme of the evening with bold and creative looks that captivated onlookers.
The Met Gala red carpet came alive with a musical performance of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," featuring a quartet of musicians and a lead singer in a full red ensemble. The energetic performance added a lively and festive atmosphere to the event, entertaining guests and fans.
Venus Williams, one of the Met Gala co-chairs, sparkled in a Swarovski gown inspired by her legendary tennis career, showcasing her athletic prowess and glamour on the red carpet. The tennis icon made a stylish and elegant entrance, radiating confidence and grace as she posed for photos.
Nicole Kidman arrived at the Met Gala in a red sequined Chanel gown with feathered sleeves, embodying vitality and romance with her stunning look. The actress and co-chair of the event exuded elegance and sophistication, setting the tone for a night of high fashion and glamour.
As the stars hit the red carpet for the Met Gala, fashion enthusiasts can participate in the USA TODAY Style Meter poll to rate the hottest looks of the night in real time. By registering as an official panelist, fans can share their opinions on celebrity outfits and engage with exclusive content from the fashion extravaganza.
The Met Gala red carpet is a highly anticipated event that showcases the creativity and artistry of the fashion world. With a theme of "Fashion Is Art," attendees have the opportunity to express their unique style and interpretation of the relationship between fashion and art. The event invites guests to celebrate the diverse representations of the dressed body throughout art history, creating a visually stunning and culturally significant experience.
The 2026 Met Gala theme, "Costume Art," corresponds with the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute exhibit, exploring the centrality of the dressed body and the interplay between clothing and artistic representations. The exhibit delves into various forms of the body, from the classical to the anatomical, highlighting the intricate connection between fashion and art. The Costume Institute show marks a new era for the museum, offering a fresh perspective on the intersection of fashion and art in a dynamic and engaging way.
The Met Gala red carpet was a spectacle of fashion and creativity, with celebrities making bold and memorable entrances that captivated audiences. From iconic music legends to top models and actors, the event showcased a diverse range of styles and personalities, adding to the excitement and glamour of the evening. As the stars mingled and posed for photos, the Met Gala once again proved to be a celebration of art, fashion, and individual expression on a grand scale.