The 2027 Met Gala is over nine months away, but we already have details on what to expect. Today, the Metropolitan Museum of Art revealed that next year's Costume Institute exhibition is entitled John Galliano: Horizons. It will span the entirety of Galliano's career thus far, including his work as a student at Central Saint Martins in London, and his designs for Dior, Givenchy, Maison Margiela, and his eponymous brand.

The exhibition will be organized into three parts: "Bearings," "Horizons," and "Atlas of Transformation." The first section will put Galliano's work into historical and cultural context. The second part will explore his most-cited sources of inspiration, including geography, history, art, and performance. The final category will delve into Galliano's creative process through research books, sketches, toiles, fittings, and finished garments.

Galliano is no stranger to controversy, and the museum's press release does not mince words. "[The exhibition] will directly address the rupture caused by his antisemitic, racist, and anti-Asian conduct in 2010 and 2011, which resulted in his dismissal from Christian Dior and his eponymous label and his conviction by a Paris court for public insults based on race, religion, ethnicity, or origin," the museum stated. "It will also consider his subsequent treatment for substance addiction and his later public acknowledgment of his actions. Rather than presenting a conventional narrative of disgrace and redemption, the gallery will examine how memory, experience, cultural values, and historical circumstances continually reshape the reception of a designer’s work."

Scroll down to revisit some memorable designs by John Galliano.

For Dior's spring/summer 2007 Haute Couture collection celebrating the house's 60th anniversary, Galliano staged an elaborate show at Versailles.

John Galliano takes a bow after the Dior Haute Couture spring/summer 1998 show.

Shalom Harlow poses on the Dior Haute Couture fall/winter 2007 runway.

Rihanna's infamous pope-inspired outfit at the 2018 Met Gala was designed by Galliano for Maison Margiela.

Princess Diana wore a Dior by John Galliano dress to her first and only Met Gala in 1996.

Linda Evangelista models a Dior by John Galliano spring/summer 1998 look.

Gwendoline Christie walks the runway at the Maison Margiela Haute Couture spring/summer 2024 show.

Zendaya wears a Galliano creation to the 2024 Met Gala.

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ICYMI, the 2026 Met Gala took place last week. On that ever-important first Monday in May, the world's biggest and buzziest celebs flocked to the Met's iconic staircase to show off jaw-dropping fashion and museum-worthy beauty looks. It might be affectionately referred to as "fashion's biggest night out," but I think it should be rebranded to "fashion and beauty's biggest night out" because I'm *still* thinking about the most striking hair and makeup looks. There was Hailey Bieber's goddess bun, Paloma Elsesser's "subversive, sexy skin," and Ayo Edebiri's angelic glam that featured a $180 Chanel foundation. Oh, and I can't forget about Nicole Kidman's waist-length hair extensions and Misty Copeland's soft and structural glow.

While I was watching the parade of celebs pass by, each one dripping in their art-inspired designer dresses, I was taken aback by Zoë Kravitz. This was her 11th(!) Met Gala appearance. She wore a stunning basque-waist black lace dress courtesy of Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. (Kravitz is a YSL brand ambassador.) As a beauty editor, though, I was focused on her makeup. It was fresh, luminous, softly blurred, and—believe it or not—created entirely with drugstore makeup products!

Celebrity makeup artist Nina Park created the look. She recently set the internet ablaze with her signature blurred-makeup style. TikTok is particularly obsessed with "Nina Park lips," a term fans coined to describe the soft yet sultry lip looks she creates for her clients, including Kravitz, Mia Goth, Kaia Gerber, and Margaret Qualley.

Park's signature style appears deceptively simple, but that's part of the allure. I've tried to re-create the look before, and let me tell you—it requires finesse to achieve anything close to a Nina Park–level effect. As celebrity makeup artist Alexandra French once said, "Nina Park is truly your favorite makeup artist's favorite makeup artist." That said, knowing the exact items she uses seems like a good place to start, and in this case, Park used L'Oréal products.

"For Zoë's Met look, I wanted it to feel fresh and quietly romantic," Park said in a press release. "The cheeks have a natural flush that brings warmth back into the face, and the lip is Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in 762 Divine Wine that stays tonal with the skin. The lashes are defined but still soft, just enough to frame the eyes without taking away from the freshness of everything else." Ahead, see the 11 exact items Kravitz wore.

The Exact Products Zoë Kravitz Wore to the 2026 Met Gala

Kravitz's look costs $149. That's not bad for a museum-worthy makeup look worn on fashion's biggest night out.

The Met Gala 2026 might have come and gone, but the night's incredible looks are still living in my mind, rent-free (along with the rest of our Who What Wear editors, who recapped the night on our live blog) While there was no shortage of drama this year, I found myself lingering on ballerina and icon Misty Copeland even after the night was over—not because her glam was the loudest, but because it was one of the most considered.

At first glance, it reads as effortless. But the more I looked, the more it revealed itself as something much more intentional—layered with meaning, restraint, and a very specific point of view.

“The inspiration really comes from a love of movement, art, history, and lineage,” Copeland exclusively shared with Who What Wear ahead of the evening. She and celebrity makeup artist Mali Boykin collaborated on a full Merit Beauty look emphasizing movement and radiance. Nothing about the glam is static; it has a kind of fluidity to it, like it could shift depending on the light, the angle, the moment. “I wanted something you can feel, not just see,” she added—and that’s exactly how it lands.

There’s also a sense of ease that grounds the entire look. “For me, feeling like myself is about ease and honesty… when nothing feels forced," Copeland explained. That philosophy carries through every element of the glam. It doesn’t try to transform her—it refines, enhances, and lets her presence do the rest.

Boykin approached the look through a similarly thoughtful lens, centering her concept on “beauty as art”—specifically, an exploration of brown as a full spectrum. “Brown as luxury. Brown as softness. Brown as power,” she explained. It’s a subtle but striking reframing, and on Copeland, it feels both modern and deeply resonant.

The complexion is where that idea comes to life most clearly. It’s luminous, but not in an obvious way—more like light catching on bronze, shifting as she moves. Boykin described wanting the skin to feel “radiant, sculptural, and alive,” which translates to a finish that’s dimensional rather than dewy-for-the-sake-of-dewy. You see warmth, depth, and light all working together.

Importantly, nothing overwhelms. “My goal was never to overpower that,” Boykin said, referring to Copeland’s natural grace and presence. “I wanted the beauty to feel like an extension of who she is while still making a statement.” That balance—between visibility and restraint—is what makes the look so compelling.

Technically, it’s all very precise, even if it doesn’t read that way at first. Skin is prepped to be deeply hydrated, featuring Merit's Great Skin Priming moisturizer, then evened out with sheer layers of the brand's signature tinted moisturizer, The Uniform, that lets the natural complexion show through. Contour and bronzing are placed strategically but diffused to avoid harshness, while Lucitano, a soft, peach flush, brings life back into the cheeks, and a soft golden highlight is used on the high points to create that lit-from-within effect.

The eyes stay within a warm, tonal range—rich browns blended into a soft, almost glossy finish that adds depth without pulling focus thanks to Merit's beloved Solo Shadow pots in shades Vachetta, Midcentury, and Glacé. Brows are structured but still full, lashes are defined and separated, and the lip is sculpted in a way that feels modern and slightly blurred rather than sharply outlined.

The lip is where everything subtly comes together: softly sculpted with the Signature Lip Liner in June (a new shade launching May 9), then diffused with Signature Lip Blush in Archival for a rich, modern finish that avoids anything too sharp or overdrawn.

The result is beauty that feels lived-in, considered, and deeply aligned with Copeland herself. Paired with her custom look by Michael Kors, Effy Jewelry, and soft, fragrant hair by Miles Jefferies, it all reads as one cohesive story: one where Copeland's soft yet commanding power is the only thing you need to pay attention.

In a night built on spectacle, this was something quieter, but no less impactful. The kind of beauty look that doesn’t demand attention, but keeps it. Shop Misty Copeland's full Met Gala beauty look below.

Shop Misty Copeland's Met Gala 2026 Beauty Look

There's the Met Gala as we see it on livestreams and in perfectly shot red carpet photos, and then there's the version that is far more up close and personal. Very few people get to stand outside the Mark Hotel and watch celebrities appear for the first time in the outfits that the world will be talking about for years to come. This year, while the world watched the red carpet in real time, fashion commentator Albert Ayal aka @UpNextDesigner had a front-row view of the stars before they even stepped onto the carpet. Ayal got the best seat in the house and had a perspective that feels equal parts unfiltered, fast-paced, and deeply informed.

In the midst of the madness of Met Gala Monday, we sat down with the commentator at the creator watch party hosted by Instagram to chat about the big night. From guessing designers in real time to spotting the details cameras miss, Ayal experienced the 2026 Met Gala in a way few do. Ahead, he breaks down the night's defining trends, the designer who "won," and why this year felt like a turning point, one where fashion moved beyond dressing up and fully into the realm of the theme itself—fashion as art.

I know you had a front-row view at the Mark Hotel—tell me about that. What was the energy like? Where were you?

It was amazing. Every time the talent walked through the doors, everyone was like, "Look right, look left—tell me what you're wearing." I was always the one either guessing what they were wearing, or if I didn't know, I'd be like, "It's Dior!" And then they'd give me a thumbs-up. It was just a really fun, "test my knowledge" type of vibe and made for great content.

How would you describe the overall mood of the fashion we've seen at the Met Gala so far?

Very on theme. A lot of the looks felt artistic and sculptural this year. People really leaned into dramatic shapes and pieces that felt inspired by art and iconic cultural moments. It felt like fashion was being treated more like wearable art than just red carpet dressing.

Every year, people say one brand "won." Is there a brand you feel has won so far?

Robert Wun won, for sure. He definitely ran the show tonight with looks on Lisa, Beyoncé, Naomi Osaka, and several more. I always believed his work was a piece of art.

Were there any standout trends of the night people should be shopping?

I've been seeing a lot of trompe l'oeil and body-illusion designs this year—pieces that highlight the shape of the body or create these really artistic optical illusions using body parts like hands, arms, etc. There were also a lot of florals, sculptural silhouettes, dramatic wings, and details that felt very inspired by art. Overall, fashion felt a lot more experimental and expressive.

Were there any styling choices that really set certain looks apart?

Definitely. I noticed a lot of bold nails, statement jewelry, and really eye-catching accessories. The styling felt very intentional this year. Everyone seemed to have their own interpretation of art, and you could see that reflected not just in the clothing but [also] in all the smaller details too.

Are there any looks you think will be remembered for years to come when we think about 2026?

I've been seeing a lot of angelic vibes. Tate McRae had an angelic vibe. There were a lot of wings, a lot of ethereal moments. Emma Chamberlain's look is one to remember. Chase Infiniti's look is really fabulous. The Robert Wun stuff is always memorable. I also liked La La [Anthony's] look. That Wiederhoeft moment was incredible.

Was there a look everyone loved that you didn't really buy into?

I'd probably say Heidi Klum. I understand the artistic direction she was going for, and honestly, it felt very true to her brand. It had that dramatic, almost Halloween–inspired energy she's known for. I do think she could've worn the dress without covering her face, but she really committed to the concept and took it to another level.

Did anything look different in person at the Mark Hotel compared to the carpet?

Definitely. Everything looks so much more detailed and dimensional in person. The sparkle from the jewelry, the fabrics, and all the small design elements really stand out in a way you can't fully capture on a livestream or in photos. Seeing it up close gives you a whole different appreciation for the craftsmanship.

Do you think people were pushing fashion forward this year or playing it safe?

I think it was a mix. Some people definitely played it a little safer, but even those looks still had intention behind them, like Doja Cat. Her look was really feminine and alluring, and it still felt thoughtful and polished. A lot of these outfits have deeper inspiration behind them, so once people understand the reference or concept, they appreciate the look on a whole different level.

Do you think this night will influence other red carpets, runways, or how people dress?

I think this night is definitely going to influence future red carpets and even everyday fashion. People are starting to lean more into artistic expression instead of playing it safe. Sometimes, people are hesitant to go in a more creative direction, but events like this show how stunning and impactful those looks can be. I think it'll inspire more people to take risks with fashion and treat it more like art.

If you had to sum up the night in three words, what would they be?

Art. Couture. Sculpture.

Does anyone come to mind who hit the theme spot-on?

I'm not the biggest artist connoisseur, but everyone had inspo for their looks. Look at Hunter Schafer's nod to Gustav Klimt's "Mäda Primavesi." Emma Chamberlain and Anok Yai are names worth noting as well.

The 2026 Met Gala didn't disappoint. The fashion was stunning, and the beauty was even better. Here are some standouts, ICYMI: Emily Blunt's $13 Essie nail polish looked like it was straight out of The Devil Wears Prada. (Miranda Priestly would almost certainly approve.) Hailey Bieber's goddess bun was the perfect complement to her 24-karat-gold breastplate. And Nicole Kidman and her daughter wore 120 centimeters of hair extensions.

While I watched with bated breath as all the celebs arrive, there was only one person whose beauty aesthetic completely blew me away. It was angelic. It was ethereal. It was Ayo Edebiri's flawless makeup look.

The second I saw it, I knew I wanted—nay, needed—the details. Luckily, I got them straight from celebrity makeup artist Dee Carrion. "I was inspired by Ayo’s ethereal and angelic dress," she said. "I wanted to keep her makeup within that same world, so I created a look of glowing skin, which was complemented by reflective shimmers and a soft, flushed lip." Ahead, see every Chanel makeup product Carrion used on Edebiri, including a $180(!) foundation.

The Exact Foundation

The 8 Other Chanel Makeup Products Used

Every year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute (and its star-studded Met Gala invite list) promise to deliver. Thoughtful exhibitions, spearheaded by head curator Andrew Bolton, are orchestrated years in advance. Celebrities and designers begin planning looks months ahead. Publications begin prepping social teams, articles, and posts with weeks of anticipation even before an extravagant, bedazzled gown hits the red carpeted steps.

The Met Gala is a machine built for spectacle. But, historically, it hasn’t always been the case for everyone—until now, that is. After almost eight decades of the first Monday in May, this year’s exhibition and corresponding gala are the first to be intentionally accessible for disabled attendees.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art worked hand-in-hand with Tilting the Lens, an organization focused on elevating and amplifying disabled voices in arts, culture, community, and fashion. More than urging companies to include accessibility as a checkbox to mark off, Tilting the Lens and its CEO and cofounder, Sinéad Burke, have embedded equity into every step of its mission and the partners it works with. Ahead of the Met Gala, museum co-chairs and organizers tapped Burke and Tilting The Lens as consultants for the Costume Institute’s 2026 exhibition, Costume Art, which examines fashion’s role in perception and the body. Naturally, bodies that have been sidelined for eons in the fashion ecosystem were intentionally put on center stage.

Alongside highlighting pregnant figures and plus-size figures, the exhibition features a highlighted section, titled The Disabled Body, which draws from the inspiration and wardrobes of Burke, athlete Aimee Mullins, model Antwan Tolliver, swimwear designer Sonia Vera, and runway model and musician Aariana Rose Philip.

“We’re not creating a new hierarchy, we’re just trying to create more of an equitability between artworks and bodies,” Bolton shared with Vogue. All body types, including disabled ones, are on full display and celebrated, he acknowledged. While typical beauty standards haven’t wavered, The Disabled Body gives us a glimpse of true equity in the fashion industry.

For Philip, in particular, the moment feels poignant: she is the first wheelchair user to attend fashion’s biggest night (Tilting the Lens also worked with the Met to coordinate a photo spot for disabled attendees who were unable to use the entrance up the steps, allowing them to have their fully fleshed fashion moment). In 2018, Philip became the first-ever Black, transgender, and physically disabled model to be represented by a major modeling agency, under Elite Model Management.

Alongside highlighting pregnant figures and plus-size figures, the exhibition features a highlighted section, titled The Disabled Body, which draws from the inspiration and wardrobes of Burke, athlete Aimee Mullins, model Antwan Tolliver, swimwear designer Sonia Vera, and runway model and musician Aariana Rose Philip.

“I think it’s a huge moment for the disabled community to be able to dress the first person, first wheelchair user, and at the Met Gala,” Taymour shared with Who What Wear. Taymour shared that the dress wasn’t just built on aesthetics—an asymmetric hemline and the way the garment is cut is meant to highlight Aariana’s body without taking away any of her chair’s functionality. “It's just such a moment for Collina Strada, for me, and to be able to do it with Aariana is so important, because we’ve worked with each other for over six years, and she’s just such a special person to me,” Taymour added. “I’m just super honored to be able to be able to be a part of it.”

Beyond the red carpet, the significance of this year’s exhibition lingers in what it signals for fashion at large. For decades, adaptive design has existed on the margins—treated as a niche rather than an integral part of the industry’s future. By placing disabled bodies at the center of one of fashion’s most visible and influential platforms, the Costume Institute is doing more than making a statement; it’s setting a precedent. The question, now, is whether brands and institutions will follow through once the cameras are gone.

The fashion industry has always been obsessed with the body: shaping it, restricting it, idealizing it. Rarely has it been reckoned with the full spectrum of bodies that engage with it daily, though. In centering disabled perspectives not just as inspiration, but as spearheaders of design and culture, Costume Art challenges an industry that has historically prioritized fantasy over function, and aesthetics over access. “Costume Art is all about different types of bodies and how fashion becomes art because of embodiment,” Burke, who worked hand-in-hand with the Costume Institute team for 18 months, told model Ashley Graham on Vogue’s livestream. “We are spotlighting bodies, disabled designers, and disabled models,” Burke reflected on the night.

Let’s face it—there’s still a long way to go. Although there’s a lot to celebrate when it comes to the Met Gala’s strides towards true disabled representation, there’s still a void of talent, designers, and fashion players who belong in the room just as much as any able-bodied celebrity. We can’t keep going another few decades before disabled talent can be in the major rooms again.

This year’s Costume Art exhibition opens to the public on May 6, 2026. You can view the full collection at the Anna Wintour Costume Center at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Lauren Chan is a Who What Wear editor in residence, model, former award-winning fashion editor, and founder of Henning, a luxury plus-size clothing label.

At the press preview for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new Costume Institute exhibit, Anna Wintour told the room that Costume Art is for "every body—nude bodies, classical bodies, corpulent bodies, and disabled bodies." Since the Met's official press release had previously written that the exhibit would "illuminate the indivisible connection between clothing and the body," I assumed that there would be explicit mentions of size diversity in Wintour's remarks and was crestfallen when she did not mention fat, plus-size, mid-size, body-diverse, size-diverse, size-inclusive, or bigger bodies. But after some googling during Lauren Sánchez Bezos's speech, I realized that she had—she'd just called us corpulent.

Though Merriam-Webster's definition of the word is curt—"having a large bulky body"—the plaque for the Corpulent Body section in the exhibit ran long: "The corpulent body—reclaimed within contemporary fat studies as the 'fat body,' a neutral descriptor rather than a pejorative—has historically occupied an ambivalent position within visual and material culture. Simultaneously venerated and stigmatized, associated with fecundity yet burdened by moral suspicion, monumentized yet rendered abject, corpulence has served as a symbolic surface upon which societies inscribe anxieties concerning sexuality and reproduction as well as class, race, gender, and power. As fat-studies scholars have argued, the issue has never resided in flesh itself but in the regulatory regimes that surveil, discipline, and normalize it."

Despite both living in a bigger body and reporting on the plus-size fashion industry for over a decade, I had not often heard the word corpulent, and it's certainly not one I identify with. Though it's more common in art history and academic texts, our community within fashion has spent years fighting for inclusion using an array of terms that we feel represented by even though we are not in agreement regarding them all. (I, for one, dislike "curve" because I find it avoidant and pandering.) "Corpulent" isn't how we talk about ourselves, each other, or our clothing.

The museum's avoidance of the words that our community has reclaimed (e.g., "fat"), the ones we find power in, felt like a linguistic slap in the face. It felt like the museum was acting more like one of the regulatory regimes it had just condemned than a neutral or even supportive entity—and, actually, not just in the context of size-diversity. "Nude bodies," as Wintour said, would surely have been stronger as "bodies of color" and "gender nonconforming bodies." Refusing to authentically and specifically call out marginalized communities—especially while showing them off for a ticketed price—can feel exploitative. Though I admit this is a granular critique, I must insist that language is important. It's how we document our civilization. If people outside of our community are the ones writing the copy, we are represented and remembered through their biased lens.

Once I started walking though the exhibit, things were looking up. There is a Jacques Kaplan trompe l'oeil coat featuring a painting of a voluptuous body at the entrance, a Dior look custom-made for Yseult in the Classical section, two by Michaela Stark throughout the galleries, and another by Marine Serre near the end. There are many looks by designers like Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto, and Ann-Sofie Back that add volume to silhouettes. But it wasn't until I walked into the Corpulent Body section that I let out my bated breath. In the area dedicated to size, I counted a total of eight looks by designers Michaela Stark, Sinead O'Dwyer, Karoline Vitto, Ester Manas, Di Petsa, Doublet, and Victoria's Secret. The mannequins ranged in proportion and in size, likely from 12 to 20 (the top end modeled by Charlie Reynolds, whose measurements are 52-inch chest, 44-inch waist, 48-inch hip). This level of inclusion is a big win.

The element that the museum missed for us is the intersection between bigger bodies and the exhibit's other themes of race, gender, and ability. This, if you look closely, is the biggest tell that there were likely not people with lived experience in said bodies at the helm of this exhibit. They would have known that fat folks don't exist in a vacuum and that we are more likely to be people of color, queer, and/or disabled. The lack of intersection became obvious when, across the way, I spotted maternity looks and a wall of bodysuits in a range of skin tones on all thin mannequins.

The other sections did have some instances of this intersectionality, like a pregnancy look photographed on AAPI gender nonconforming models, which I found to be refreshingly modern and reflective of the fashion industry at present, with all its layered aspects of diversity in casting. Perhaps most impressively, the Disabled Body section boasted a range of looks on mannequins in different shapes and sizes (though none specifically "corpulent") with assistive devices like wheelchairs, of differing abilities, and representing various genders. One of those mannequins even celebrated transness by identifying model Aariana Rose Philip, wearing Willie Norris Workshop.

After Wintour spoke at the press preview, Venus Williams got onstage to say that Sánchez Bezos "looked beautiful as always" and, I assume, went off-script to say that she "wished that dress was in [her] size but [that she's] just a little bit bigger than [her]." This—this, people!—is the trap that fashion has set for us. Though this very exhibit is meant to historically reflect how the body has been portrayed through fashion sans judgment, a superstar athlete nervously (her words) diminished her size for all to hear. This moment of nuance also made it glaringly obvious how much of the human condition was removed from Corpulent Body—how dehumanized Costume Art's take is.

Would it have been better if Wintour used the word fat, just as the Met acknowledged fat-studies scholars by their chosen term? Absolutely. Would any of the other terms used by our community have been better? You bet. Does this small observance exemplify fashion's ongoing unease and distaste for fat people? That's my opinion. But let me be clear: Between the number of plus-size looks and the healthy attention given to adaptive fashion, I found Costume Art to be a success. After all, what's a museum to do but spark discourse? And I certainly hope that happens in the fashion and art worlds and for us, the folks it's really all for.

Jalil Johnson is a Who What Wear editor in residence and New York–based writer, fashion authority, and media personality who began his career as a stylist and later spent three years at Saks Fifth Avenue refining his eye for trend reporting, emerging talent, and brand storytelling. He now brings his expertise to his newsletter, Consider Yourself Cultured, and has also been featured in The New York Times, Harper's Bazaar, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Times, and Vogue named him one of the "New Faces of Street Style."

There has long been a debate over whether or not fashion can be considered art. In fact, while playing a rousing game of trivia at the Instagram Met Gala watch party hosted at the Mark Hotel, I was reminded of something Karl Lagerfeld said in the documentary The First Monday in May: "What we do is applied art. Chanel never said she was an artist. She was a dressmaker. Madam Vionnet was a dressmaker. Madam Lanvin was a dressmaker. They wanted to dress a certain kind of society, and they were happy and flattered when those women bought those dresses."

Inside the Exhibition

This year, however, the Met's Costume Institute's spring exhibition, Costume Art, attempts to push that conversation forward, reframing the question of whether fashion can be considered an art form or, in the words of Lagerfeld, an "applied art."

At the press preview, Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu curator in charge of the Costume Institute, stated, "It implores us to see the dressed body as not only an object of representation but as a subject of experience, a medium in which the medium of art can be reimagined." Costume Art, the inaugural exhibition in the Condé M. Nast Galleries, encourages visitors to move beyond seeing fashion as a vehicle for art and instead understand fashion and art as working in tandem.

It reinforces not only what Met Gala honorary chair Lauren Sánchez Bezos declared at the preview ("The Met has always understood something the world is finally catching up to—fashion is art") but also asks viewers to consider fashion as the medium we engage with daily to perform the ultimate act of art, be it applied or performance: living. As Bolton went on to say, "Fashion isn't only something we see. It's something we wear. It shapes posture, gesture, presence, and perception. In wearing clothes, we don't simply express who we are. We become who we are, which makes fashion different from any other art form. It collapses the boundary between subject and object."

The exhibition itself comprises nearly 400 items from the Met's collection, and fashion is placed in dialogue with artwork spanning centuries, creating connections that range from the literal to the conceptual. These works are organized into a series of thematic categories, all tied to the body. Among them is Classical Body, which is rooted in Hellenic and Roman studies of form, featuring a molded, armor-like gold minidress from Givenchy designed by Alexander McQueen alongside more fluid, draped pieces that echo the softness of classical sculpture, like a Di Petsa dress that appears as though the wearer arrived straight from a wet T-shirt contest.

Pregnant Body examines maternalwear through the ages, including a Charles James taffeta dinner suit designed as part of a maternity line for Lane Bryant Inc. in 1954, serving as both a counterpoint to the classical ideal and a reclamation of it. Epidermal Body and Inscribed Body explore fashion that mimics or evokes skin, reinforcing the idea of clothing as a second skin, from a Schiaparelli dress by Daniel Roseberry with the appearance of peeling flesh to Adriana Varejão's "Parede com Incisões à la Fontana—Horizontal" and Jean Paul Gaultier's mesh tattooed pieces, two of which are included in the exhibition.

Though the exhibition undoubtedly sets the tone for what appears on the carpet, the official gala dress code, Fashion Is Art, gave attendees permission to interpret the idea on their own terms. Some leaned quite literal. Hunter Schafer arrived in Prada inspired by Gustav Klimt's "Mäda Primavesi," and Colman Domingo, in Valentino by Alessandro Michele, called to mind Pablo Picasso's "Acrobat and Young Harlequin." Amy Sherald, in Thom Browne, appeared as if she had stepped directly out of one of her own paintings, "Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance)."

The Red Carpet as Interpretation

Others took a more abstract approach. Nicole Kidman's red Chanel dress read less as reference and more as interpretation, channeling the emotional and historical weight of the color itself.

There was also Sabrina Carpenter in Dior, paying homage to the film Sabrina with actual film reels forming the bodice and film stills set as the central jewels of her flapper-esque headpiece.

In terms of standout houses, Saint Laurent, one of the evening's sponsors, turned inward, revisiting its own history with art by re-creating the famed golden cast for Hailey Bieber, originally produced in collaboration with Claude Lalanne for the A/W 69/70 haute couture collection.

Singer Rosé wore a pared-back black dress punctuated with birds in the style of Henri Matisse's "The Birds," a subtle but pointed callback to the house's S/S 88 collection.

Another strong showing came from emerging designer Robert Wun, who dressed Jordan Roth, Naomi Osaka, and Beyoncé, the latter wearing the designer inside the Met during the evening's programming.

Still, the most pervasive reference point of the night may have been the Hellenic and Roman statues that continue to shape our visual language around the body. Their influence appeared everywhere, from Sombr in Valentino to Serena Williams in a battle-ready silver draped gown by Marc Jacobs and, most overtly, Heidi Klum, who arrived as a literal statue, gray-faced and all, really driving home the point that fashion is art.

The thing about the Met Gala is that it exists in two drastically different timelines at once: the perfectly curated final looks we see grace the carpet and the contrasting chaos that ensues in the hotel suite during the 24 hours that lead up to the big night. In the case of The Studio actress Chase Sui Wonders, the latter included late-night movie binges, shuffling between five different beauty treatments, and a playlist that hits every genre and decade of music in just 30 minutes. This year marked both her first Met Gala and her debut as a host committee member—an experience that felt, in her words, like a "fever dream" in the best possible way.

Although many stars attempt to convince you that the day starts in pure Pinterest-worthy, aesthetic bliss, a refreshingly honest Sui Wonders confirmed that her day didn't exactly begin with meditation or green juice. In fact, it started somewhere between fiction and adrenaline.

"I watched Total Recall and Die Hard back-to-back until 3 a.m., so technically, it began with John McClane saying 'Yippee ki-yay, motherfucker!'" she says.

If that tone feels slightly unhinged, it's because the day itself, well, is, yet what unfolded from there was a look rooted in something deeply romantic.

This year's dress code, Fashion Is Art, left plenty of room for interpretation, but Sui Wonders approached it with a surprisingly specific reference point.

"I thought about my favorite pieces of art I've seen in the past year and immediately thought of the wall murals I fell in love with when I went to the Roman city of Pompeii a couple weeks ago," she tells Who What Wear. "They're these almost-perfectly-preserved portraits of daily life in ancient Rome. They used all-natural pigments. They're so romantic, and some of them date back to 200 BC."

The result was a lilac silk georgette–and-satin gown from McQueen's A/W 26 collection complete with an oversize bow and raw edges that gave the look a sense of intentional imperfection. Styled by Thomas Carter Phillips, the dress was paired with Wolford layers, McQueen's satin sandals, and Jean Schlumberger Tiffany & Co. jewelry that climbed up the ear. The final effect felt equal parts ethereal and grounded.

"The edges of the dress are raw, which I thought made the look feel so complete yet undone. Also, I didn't have time to get a manicure! Sue me!" she says.

For Sui Wonders, choosing McQueen was instinctive, especially under Seán McGirr's direction.

"I've always been a fan of McQueen, and Seán McGirr has brought such a brilliant freshness to the brand," she tells us. "My jaw dropped when I saw his latest collection. Also, the Jean Schlumberger Tiffany & Co jewels that crawl up the ear take it all to a different level."

In the end, the look leaned more romantic than Sui Wonders's past red carpet appearances, a shift she was fully aware of and leaned into. "It's more feminine. I'm a big-time tomboy, but there's a little lady somewhere in there, and she was on display tonight," she says.

If there's one myth about Met Gala prep worth dispelling, it's that it's this graceful, effortless moment of everything falling into place perfectly. The reality is it's chaotic.

"I did five separate beauty treatments today. Life is effortless. ✨"

Her glam team—makeup artist Shayna Goldberg and hairstylist Blake Erik—brought everything together, with makeup by Ilia and hair products by Milk_Shake adding to the soft, romantic finish.

While you might expect green juice and elaborate snacks in the hours leading up to the carpet, Sui Wonders kept it… minimal. When we asked her what her go-to meal is the day of the big event, she replies honestly, "Air, deep breathing, maybe a cube of ice, perhaps a mint as a treat. Just being real here."

Like any good getting-ready moment, the playlist set the tone: eclectic, nostalgic, and just a little chaotic. "Madonna, Addison, Daft Punk, Skatt Bros, Air, Peter Ivers. The freakin' classics," she recommends.

Between her role on the host committee and her first walk up the Met steps, the night carried extra meaning, and once it was over, the processing began almost immediately: "[It was] such an honor! Baby's first Met, and I got to be on the host committee?! Getting to gossip on the pod with Chloe Malle and Chioma Nnadi directly after the big night was a dream. [It was the] perfect way to process the fever dream. (Also, see photos for when I got the news.)"

As for what she'll remember most? That part, apparently, stays off the record.

"Nothing I can put in writing ;)))))))))," she says.

What she could put into words, though, was the feeling that lingered after everything wrapped—the part that doesn't show up in photos.

"Feeling like life is beautiful 🔮 and it 🔮takes 🔮 a🔮 village 🔮 and there is some real heartfelt community in that," she explains.

Maybe that's the real story behind the Met Gala—not just the "fashion as art" moments on the carpet but the people, energy, and chaos behind the scenes that make it all come together.

Photographer: Alexandra Arnold
Stylist: Thomas Carter Phillips
Hairstylist: Blake Erik
Makeup Artist: Shayna Goldberg
Creative Director: Alexa Wiley
Entertainment Director: Jessica Baker
Producer: Erin Corbett

There are many things we look to the Icelandic musician Laufey for: our new favorite jazz-inspired pop songs, her breezy, ultra-femme style, and her minimalist beauty moments. Luckily, we were served with the latter at the 2026 Met Gala, where the multi-hyphenate floated onto the mossy carpet in front of New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art wearing a custom Tory Burch gown, a dainty pouch purse, and a very bridal-coded manicure to match.

This wasn’t Laufey and celebrity manicurist Yoko Sakakura’s first time working together. In fact, the two very recently collaborated on the star’s buzzy Madwoman music video, which included an ultra-buzzy cast list of Heated Rivalry’s Hudson Williams, Lola Tung, Olympian Alysa Liu, and Katseye’s Megan Skiendiel, to outfit the star’s nails for the big project. Sakakura tells Who What Wear exclusively that the two always have conversations about the nails beforehand—it’s not merely a day-of decision. “She enjoys exploring nail ideas along with her sister, Junia [Lin],” she tells WWW. For the Met, this meant all hands on deck.

These conversations centered around the dress: an ivory column gown decked out in small, flower-shaped sequins dotted by small pearls at the center. According to an article from Allure, the dress’s silhouette references her childhood instrument, the cello, in its curvature and shape. The cello not only sounds the most like the female voice, but it also looks the most similar to the female body, which bridged Laufey’s personal connection to the Costume Art theme perfectly.

The best beauty looks of the night all made small references to the fashion on their bodies, and Sakakura’s handiwork was no exception. She started with a pearly white gel polish (Aprés’ Astral Gel Couleur in Balance) to match the swan hue of her dress. Next up were the trendy accents. “For this specific look, I hand-made small flowers to mimic the details of her dress,” the manicurist explained. The request was that these 3D decals—a trend we’ve seen amongst Margot Robbie, Kylie Jenner, and the fashion elite—be made of sequins to match the Tory Burch embellishments.

In varying clusters of five to six holographic white sequins with small pearl deposits in the middle, Sakakura painstakingly placed every small disc. That said, she promises that you, too, can achieve this look at home with a little patience. “It is very easy to create this look,” the nail artist assures. “Add five circle sequins, place them like flower petals, and add a tiny pearl in the middle and dry (if polish) or cure [if gel] to set the art,” she explains.

“This look is more editorial because of the 3D flowers,” says Sakakura, though she admits that she thinks it’s “trendy” to use small sequins, especially holographic ones, to make chic nail art in 2026. The placement feels intentional, with some nails left plain to show off the shimmery white polish, while one to two accent fingers bear the beautiful blooms. Though this look would also look stunning on long nails for wedding season, we especially love how each flower frames her short tips. “Laufey likes her nails natural and short because she plays instruments,” Sakakura explains.

Shop every product used below, plus a few other lookalike polishes, decals, and press-ons to re-create Laufey’s stunning Met Gala manicure at home.

We discussed the best dressed, and we gawked over the museum-worthy glam. Now? It's time to talk about the stunning Met Gala manicures. Stars did not play it safe when it came to last night's beauty looks (Lisa! Rihanna! Anok!), but still, nail designs took the cake when it came to serving drama. I screenshotted plenty of manicures to save for my next salon appointment, but one overarching trend truly left me speechless: dipped nails. Below, see all the stunning details and how I'll be sporting the trend this summer. Trust me—it's more wearable than you think.

The trend kicked off with Ashley Graham, who arrived on the carpet with chrome nails and spray-painted silver fingertips. It's as if she dipped her nails into a pot of silver paint—quite the subtle nod to the Fashion Is Art dress code. According to Vogue, her painterly tips specifically pay homage to sculptural artists who devote their lives and hands to their craft. Aesthetically speaking, I can't help but notice how Graham's nails provide a stunning juxtaposition to her minimalist nude Di Petsa dress and fresh, dewy makeup, courtesy of celebrity makeup artist Kabuki.

Next, we have Tessa Thompson, who cosigned the dunked-nail look in a deep Klein blue. "I was really inspired by this idea of what it would look like if you just dipped your hand in some paint," Thompson told Entertainment Tonight at the Mark Hotel. Even the nails themselves were made to resemble paint dripping off the tips and had long trickles of pigment hanging off the nail plate.

Thompson's look is arguably the most literal take on dipped nails, and on the more metaphorical side of the spectrum, we have Naomi Osaka, who arrived on the red carpet with crimson tips that appear fused to her sheer gloves. "The dress was deep red with these beautiful curves, and we wanted the nails to feel like a continuation of that, so we built the design onto gloves to extend her silhouette down to the fingertips," celebrity nail artist Juan Alvear said of Osaka's look. The tennis star has long been known for her intricate, artistic manicures, so I'm delighted to see her take on the dipped-nail trend.

Okay, I know what you're thinking: Sure, dipped nails are cool and all, but they're not actually that wearable. It's not like you can dip your fingertips in a can of paint and, say, head straight to the office or dinner with friends. The Met Gala does beget artistic, avant-garde looks (even without the Costume Art theme), but we at home can hop on the trend by simply being more nonchalant with our bold manicures. Paint your tips a striking silver, crimson, or Klein blue, and don't worry too much about any polish bleeding into the surrounding nail beds. No need to strive for perfection. Just consider them, you know, "dipped."

Shop the 2026 Met Gala Dipped-Nail Trend

After the controversial chartreuse shade stormed the spring/summer 2026 runways, it should come as no surprise that the colour would once again rear its head for fashion’s night of nights, the Met Gala. Utterly polarising with a piquant tone that’s not quite a brat green nor a balmy yellow, this hybrid shade saturated the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art as guests made their arrival.

The first appearance of the evening came from Alexa Chung, who traded in her signature stovepipe jeans and twee knitwear for a daring Dior dress designed by Northern Irish creative director Jonathan Anderson.

The custom look continued the dialogue presented in the French maison’s autumn/winter 2026 collection, which Chung sat in the first row for as it was unveiled on an uncharacteristically scintillating February day in the Tuileries Garden. With a square-neckline, plunging slit and protruding botanical motif, the silhouette was a clear homage to both craftsmanship and Claude Monet’s magnum opus Water Lilies series, which couldn’t be more fitting for the dress code “Fashion Is Art”.

Later, the striking shade made another appearance in the burgeoning actress, Sarah Pidgeon. After becoming a household name for her performance as Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, the Love Story breakout star continued to embrace the codes of ‘90s minimalism that her character was so revered for. However, marking a firm schism in this form of method dressing, the 29-year-old arrived at the event in a chartreuse two-piece set designed by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Loewe.

Again, this look is a bespoke version of a look presented on the runway that Pidgeon was privy to after attending the brand’s show back in February. Though it could be argued that this look nods to the iconic Donna Karen green set worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in Great Expectations, this slightly acidic version feels far more contemporary and cool.

In saying that, a key part of both Dior and Loewe’s brand philosophy is the importance of artistry and innovation within the boundaries of materiality, so it’s also no surprise to see these houses be some of the first to adopt this bold colour. (Of course, that’s not to mention the shared history of Anderson at the helm.) Elsewhere, Belgian fashion designer Pieter Mulier presented a series of asymmetrical chartreuse skirts for his penultimate collection at Alaïa. In Milan, Mrs Prada unveiled her interpretation of uniform dressing with chartreuse accents that covered boilersuits, puffed skirts and bralettes.

Of course, the sartorially aware amongst us know that chartreuse has always been a maligned colour that has sat on the fringes of the mainstream, only to be adopted by the most daring dressers amongst us. From Nicole Kidman wearing a John Galliano for Dior chartreuse chinoiserie gown to the 1997 Oscars to Zoë Kravitz wearing the shade to a Hollywood event earlier this year, this proactive shade continues to be exactly that.

Shop the Chartreuse Colour Trend, as Seen on the 2026 Met Gala

Of course—I love a red carpet moment as much as anyone, but if I’m being honest, it’s the Met Gala after-parties that actually play a part in how I’ll dress in for the months ahead. While the main event delivers spectacle, the after-hours scene is where the partywear trends translate into styling ideas that actually make sense beyond the steps of the museum.

Setting the tone for partywear styling long after the last flashbulb fades, these after-parties are a goldmine of genuinely useful inspiration. So, as I refine my own after-dark wardrobe, I’m taking notes. Scroll on to discover the standout after-party looks from the Met Gala 2026.

Discover the Best After-Party Outfits from the 2026 Met Gala:

Who: Kendall Jenner
Wear: Custom GapStudio

Who: Zoe Kravitz
Wear: Saint Laurent

Who: Hailey Bieber
Wear: Dilara Findikoglu and custom Paris Texas mules

Who: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Who: Charli XCX
Wear: Saint Laurent

Who: Imaan Hammam
Wear: Saint Laurent

Who: Connor Storrie

Who: Hunter Schafer

Who: Paloma Elsesser
Wear: Paris Texas shoes, Hunting Season bag

Who: Maude Apatow

Who: Doja Cat

Who: Margot Robbie

Who: Vittoria Ceretti and Laura Harrier

Who: Olivia Rodrigo

Who: Tate McRae

Who: A$AP Rocky

Hailey Bieber’s fashion prowess was on full display at the 2026 Met Gala red carpet, where the Rhode founder turned heads in a cobalt blue Saint Laurent gown, complete with a gold breastplate. Still, some might argue she saved her best look for last: an itty-bitty Dilara Findikoglu dress for the after-parties.

Despite the chilly New York City weather, Bieber hit the streets in a skin-baring design from the Turkish designer, who counts Doechii and Mikey Madison among her fans. The look, which is from the brand’s spring 2026 collection, featured a halter-style neckline and a structured, corset-inspired bodice. The delicate ruching and raw, frayed hems lent the piece a romantic, undone feel. She let the dress do all the talking, accessorizing with subtle drop earrings and wearing her hair in a slicked-back bun. While attending the after-parties with her best friend, Kendall Jenner, Bieber completed the look with understated strappy white sandals.

This marks the second year in a row Bieber has turned to Dilara Findikoglu for her Met Gala after-party look. In 2025, the businesswoman opted for a similarly micro, corset-style design crafted from metallic nude fabric. For a pre–Met Gala outing the day prior, she wore the designer’s fall 2024 black-and-white striped minidress, complete with an exposed white lace bra. Clearly, her affinity for the label shows no signs of slowing down.

See Hailey Bieber's 2026 Met Gala After-Party Look

Fashion’s biggest night came and went in the blink of an eye. The 2026 Met Gala—cochaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour—delivered an evening of statement-making style. This year’s theme, Costume Art, explored the relationship between clothing and the human body, inspiring a lineup of internet-breaking looks from Rihanna, Emma Chamberlain, and Kylie Jenner. But before the post–red carpet blues kick in, here’s the upside: The after-parties are just getting started, and the outfit changes are already underway.

Half the fun of the Met Gala after-parties is the unpredictability—you never quite know what celebrities will slip into next. While sticking to the theme is essential on the red carpet, the late-night circuit is far more relaxed, allowing A-listers to let loose.

On that note, scroll ahead for this year's best (and most unexpected) 2026 Met Gala after-party looks. Fair warning: These outfits might live rent-free in your head all week.

See All the Looks From the 2026 Met Gala After-Parties

WHO: Hailey Bieber

WEAR: Dilara Findikoglu dress

WHO: Tate McRae

WEAR: Ludovic de Saint Sernin dress

WHO: Tessa Thompson

WEAR: Valentino S/S 26 couture top

WHO: Olivia Rodrigo

WHO: Connor Storrie

WHO: Margot Robbie

WHO: Ciara

WHO: Kendall Jenner

WHO: Zoë Kravitz

WEAR: Saint Laurent dress

WHO: Maude Apatow

WHO: Janelle Monáe

WHO: Misty Copeland

As a beauty editor, it's almost needless to say that despite the fact that it's 8 AM, I have already spent two hours scrolling my social feeds to dissect every look at last night's Met Gala red carpet. And whilst we saw some truly special beauty looks (Sarah Pidgeon's waves and naked manicure won the night for me), with over ten years of writing about the Met Gala under my belt, in 2026, I'm more interested in the products the A-list use than the avant-garde looks they opt for.

And as a journalist who considers fragrance her specialty, I've become somewhat obsessed with finding out what perfumes celebrities opt for on the red carpet—and I have been pleasantly surprised to learn of Charli XCX's scent of choice for the Met Gala 2026. I stumbled across it by accident. I originally planned to open my laptop this morning and write a story about the many mermaid-wave ponytails we saw last night, and Charli's was one of them. But, as I flicked through an Instagram post by her trusted hair stylist, Matt Benns, I noticed that her perfume of choice was very much a part of her hair look, too.

Sharing some behind-the-scenes snaps from the Charli XCX "glam" suite, Benns also shared a few insights into the products he used to achieve her hair look. I spotted some Wavytalk hair tools, sure, but also two very familiar bottles of fragrance—one hair perfume, one eau de parfum.

Yes, it seems Charli and I have similar tastes in fragrance, as I, too, wear the scent from time to time. It is none other than beauty editor and insider favourite, Initio Parfums Privés Atomic Rose.

While the eau de parfum will set you back £215, Benns also opted to mist Charli's ponytail with the hair perfume iteration, which is just a fraction of the price at £85. (Many beauty editors I know wear hair perfume as a more affordable alternative to some of their luxury scents, by the way—it's a great hack.)

And I'd like to say here that Atomic Rose might just be the most Charli XCX perfume out there—it is perfectly fitting. It is, true to its name, a rose scent at its core, but this isn't a delicate rose. It is the sort of rose that smells as though it has been thrown into your handbag at the start of a date, before experiencing a night of debauchery. With both Turkish and Bulgarian rose, it's smoky and intense. But with a fresh zing of bergamot, a creamy addition of jasmine and a sweetly spiced hit of vanilla, Atomic Rose is a sexy, moreish sort of scent.

It's dishevelled, rebellious, statement-making and undeniably magnetic. The perfect fit for Ms Charli, non?

Shop Initio Parfums Privés Atomic Rose:

Ever since eschewing her natural brunette colouring for a buttery blonde befitting of her role as Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, actress Sarah Pidgeon hasn’t been able to shake off the connotations to the former Calvin Klein publicist. That was until she stepped out on the red carpet at the 2026 Met Gala in an ensemble that’s the furthest thing from CBK’s signature sense of ‘90s minimalism.

Making her debut appearance at the prestigious charity gala, the 29-year-old opted for a chartreuse two-piece set designed by Loewe. However, the departure from CBK’s decisively understated sartorial philosophy didn’t end with the daring hue; it continued into her beauty look, where she traded her iconic straight lengths for tousled, loose waves that certainly piqued interest.

Perhaps channelling the waves of Hyannis Port—an exclusive enclave in Massachusetts that plays home to the Kennedy Compound, where CBK and her husband, JFK Jr., would spend most of their summers—the hairstyle added dimension and movement to her otherwise slick set.

However, as a certified lazy girl myself, it was the effortlessly elegant feeling imbued in these beachy bends that I found the most profound. As revealed on Instagram by celebrity hairstylist Christian Wood, the look only required a few hair tools and a spritz of a solid shine spray that “cheats hair health while adding subtle separation and definition to the waves”.

In fact, with the weather warming and plans being made to spend the upcoming season escaping to some sun-kissed paradise, I would contend that this hairstyle is like a shortcut to achieving those balmy, blissful curls that only come after spending your day in salty water and holding an Aperol Spritz.

Still, as undone and carefree as it is, there’s still quite a bit of shape and hold in the strands, providing that “just came from the most expensive hair salon in the city” sensation that’s always so covetable. Both quietly luxurious and completely laissez-faire, keep scrolling through for your guide on recreating the look and a breakdown of the products you need.

How to Re-Create Sarah Pidgeon's 2026 Met Gala Hairstyle

Starting with damp roots, Wood first went in with the Kenra Root Lifting Spray before spritzing Pidgeon’s mid-lengths and ends with the Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray and finishing with a final coat of Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss from root to tip for “extra shine and softness.” (Kenra isn’t currently available in the UK, but there are plenty of incredible alternatives that will deliver a similar result, which I’ve shared below.)

Once the hair was prepped and primed, he then “sectioned the hair starting at the nape and blow-dried it section by section with a round brush to create a smooth, silky base for the waves,” as Wood explained on social media. “Once the hair was completely dry, I parted it down the middle using a tail comb.”

The next step was the most vital—creating the curves. Using a hair straightener, which is proof that even those with access to top-tier beauty products and tools aren’t above using something that simple and effective—he worked from the back of the neck to the front, creating an S-shaped wave as he went. To do this, you slowly curve the tool in a soft, undulating motion as you move it down the section, resulting in a subtle bend through the lengths.

Once Wood got to the front of the face, he switched over to a curling iron and repeated the same motion, noting that he bent the hair away from the face. After the hair had cooled for five minutes, he “sprayed a little Kenra Platinum Dry Texture Spray at the roots to add volume and a generous spray of Kenra Shine Spray through the mid-lengths and ends”. The shine spray “really helps cheat hair health while adding subtle separation and definition to the waves”, he noted.

As for the finishing touches, he “brushed out the waves with a wide-tooth comb and sprayed a toothbrush with Kenra Fast-Dry Hairspray to remove any flyaways”. To lock everything in and add an extra glossy touch, he “warmed a few drops of Kenra Luxe Shine Oil in my hands and gently rubbed it over the ends of the hair to add shine and give a subtle, broken-up texture.” Effective and architectural without being overly fussy, this look will be my go-to this summer.

Shop the Products:

When it comes to Met Gala dressing, go big, go bold, and then push it even further. It’s fashion’s most theatrical night—so naturally, it’s the last place you’d expect to spot something as seemingly everyday as jeans. Which is exactly why I did a double-take when model Bhavitha Mandava arrived in what appeared to be a pair of jeans and a zip-up polo.

At first glance, her look feels worlds away from the sculptural Schiaparelli moments that dominate the red carpet. But this wasn’t a casual, off-duty denim situation—it was Chanel, after all. Her floor-skimming, straight-leg “jeans” were lifted from Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel and echoed the very look she wore to open the house’s Métiers d’Art show back in December.

And here’s where it gets interesting. What reads like classic denim and a lightweight knit is, in fact, crafted from an ultra-fine silk, designed to mimic the appearance of everyday fabrics. It’s a trompe l’oeil effect that’s become something of a Chanel signature of late, also seen across the brand’s spring/summer haute couture collection.

Admittedly, it might not deliver the kind of overt drama we’ve come to expect from a Met Gala red carpet, but for Bhavitha, this particular look carries a deeper resonance—mirroring the outfit that helped launch her modelling career in the first place.

If you suddenly feel inspired to revisit your own denim collection, you’re not alone. While silk iterations may be few and far between, there’s no shortage of impeccably cut straight-leg styles to choose from. Keep scrolling to discover the best pairs to invest in now.

Shop Jeans:

Demi Moore, Anne Hathaway, Julia Fox—GapStudio has quickly earned a roster of celebrity fans since its debut by designer Zac Posen last April. On Monday night, Kendall Jenner joined the lineup, turning to the beloved retailer for not one but two looks at the 2026 Met Gala. After unveiling a gown inspired by Gap’s iconic T-shirt on the red carpet, the 818 Tequila founder, who was styled by Danielle Goldberg, changed into a second outfit from the wallet-friendly brand for the after-party circuit.

Echoing her first look of the evening, Jenner’s after-party ensemble leaned into the “Fashion Is Art” theme—inviting guests to approach clothing as an art form, with the body as its canvas—via a sculpted bodice, complete with faux nipples. Created in collaboration with New York–based brand Seks, the blush-toned leather piece hugged the body with a second-skin fit. Below, a bias-cut satin-face chiffon skirt draped into a fluid column, finished with a raw, undone hem. In some images, the model wore a gauzy, translucent headscarf cascading over her face; in others, it was styled draped backward around her neck. Jenner finished the custom look with glossy pointed-toe sandals and a white drawstring bag.

“The after party look was always meant to be the other side of the same coin, softer, more intimate, but no less intentional,” Zac Posen, EVP and Creative Director of Gap Inc., said in a press release. “Kendall has this incredible ability to carry both power and vulnerability in the same breath, and the blush bodice was designed for exactly that, sculpted for her body on her body.”

As for her red carpet moment, Jenner’s custom GapStudio dress drew inspiration from the Winged Victory of Samothrace, transforming the retailer’s signature white tee into liquid jersey anchored by a custom molded leather bodice. Sisters Kim and Kylie took a similar approach, both opting for eye-popping breastplates.

Below, check out both of Jenner's custom GapStudio looks from the 2026 Met Gala.

See Kendall Jenner's 2026 Met Gala Looks

We’ve spent the night discussing the most noteworthy red carpet looks from the 2026 Met Gala. The theme of the 2026 exhibition is Costume Art, which the Metropolitan Museum of Art shared examines “the centrality of the dressed body.” Now that the red carpet has concluded, it’s clear that some of the looks adhered to the theme, while others strayed. On-theme or not, these are the top looks that stand out as the best dressed of the evening.

Beginning with some of the theme-adherent looks, Hailey Bieber was dressed in Saint Laurent wearing a look that referenced a 1969 haute couture collection in collaboration with Claire Lalanne, which famously featured a gilded body casts worn over diaphanous dresses. Gracie Abrams, too, wore an art-forward look by Matthieu Blazy for Chanel that took Gustav Klimt as inspiration. Chase Infiniti’s look designed by Thom Browne brought the form of the body to the dress itself. Ahead, see the best Met Gala looks of 2026.

On Gracie Abrams: Chanel dress and jewelry

On Hailey Bieber: Saint Laurent dress and cape; Belperron earrings

On Alex Consani: Gucci dress

On Paloma Elsesser: Francesco Risso dress

On Chase Infiniti: Thom Browne dress; Marli jewelry

The Met Gala is in full swing, the editor commentary is still flooding in, and, ladies and gents, Ms. Hailey Bieber has made her 2026 red carpet appearance. Tonight, the star donned a sculptural Saint Laurent look (a perfect nod to this year's dress code) with an equally sculpted bun that's arguably the easiest Met Gala hair look to re-create—and I fully expect at least a dozen iterations by morning. Bieber, after all, holds a special power over our beauty choices. Remember when she debuted an internet-breaking blunt bob and immediately inspired thousands of salon appointments? Yeah, same here.

Irinel de León—the celebrity hairstylist responsible for Bieber's Met Gala 'do—predicts her perfectly tucked bun will similarly make a splash. "There’s definitely a shift toward sculptural, controlled hair right now, but I wanted to interpret that in a way that still feels modern and wearable," she exclusively tells Who What Wear. Scroll ahead to see the stunning style at every angle, plus the exact products and steps you need to achieve it.

"We wanted the bun to feel like a sculpture, very intentional and refined. It’s minimal, but every detail is considered so it almost reads like part of the garment," de León shares. Meaning, the bun may appear pretty simple at first glance, but make no mistake, its intentionally clean shape is carefully constructed—just like Bieber's 24K-gold breastplate. "I think we’ll see more hair that feels designed—clean shapes, high polish, but still soft," de León says regarding this year's hair trends. "People are moving away from overly effortless and into something more considered." It certainly helps that Bieber herself is metaphorically leading the charge.

To achieve her sculpted "goddess" bun, de León first applied a cocktail of Ouai's Leave-In Conditioner and Anti-Frizz Crème to Bieber's lengths, then rough-dried using the Dyson Airwrap Coanda2x Multi-Styler and Dryer. Once she removed the excess moisture, de León popped on the dryer's Large Round Volumizing Brush attachment to smooth out the strands in sections, then sealed in the shine with Ouai's Hair Oil. To secure the knot, de León brushed back Bieber's hair into a sleek ponytail, then attached clip-in extensions (Perlino by Priscilla Valles) before building the bun in sections. "The ends are fully tucked and hidden, which creates that seamless shape," de Leon shares. "Think of it as shaping, not just styling."

Finally, she topped off the look with a touch of Ouai's Hair Oil for shine. "The finish is not wet or stiff. It’s that perfect balance of shine and softness, which we achieved by layering lightweight products instead of anything heavy," she adds. And there you have it! Bieber certainly knows her way around a slicked-back bun, so I assume she'll repeat this look on the regular as summer heats up. In the meantime, I'll be here perfecting my own knot…

Shop Hailey Bieber's 2026 Met Gala Hairstyle

Happy first Monday in May to all who celebrate! The Met Gala is essentially the Super Bowl for fashion and beauty lovers, which means we Who What Wear editors have been superglued to our screens to clock the event's best dressed celebs. (Be sure to check out our live blog, where we've shared these looks—and our unfiltered thoughts about them—in real time!) This year's dress code is Fashion Is Art, but in my humble beauty-editor opinion, it's not just the clothes that deserve to be immortalized in a museum; the glam moments, too, are something to behold. Plenty of A-listers have succeeded in taking my breath away tonight—including Paloma Elsesser, who hit the carpet donning a painterly Francesco Risso dress and full-on crystal ear.

The supermodel and host committee member looks positively breathtaking in that patterned gown, but it's her makeup that made me immediately screenshot the look. (Call it beauty-editor bias!) Below, discover all the details you need to know, including exclusive photos and tips from her makeup artist, Michaela Bosch.

"The painterly effects and metallic details were our main source of inspiration, paired with Paloma’s kinky-eclectic-gorgeous sensibility," Bosch shares. "She’s a dream face of mine. It feels like her face tells me exactly what to do at every step." When I ask her about the overall goal for Elsesser, she responds simply: "Subversive. Sexy. Skin!"

Elsesser is known for her glowing, soft skin—so much so that she's often complimented on how velvety her skin feels—so of course her red carpet glam always has an ethereal, effortless skin focus. "We wanted the skin to be luminescent and breathable, letting her beautiful freckles shine, but with a subtle sculpted snatch," Bosch adds. To do so, she defined Elsesser's cheekbones using YSL Beauty's All Hours 24H Hyper Sunkissed Glow Bronzer in the shade Sienna 5, then warmed up her complexion with the Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Powder Blush in shades Hot Mauve 23 and Peachy Nude 37. "We chose shades that complemented her beautiful ochre tones," she explains.

To finish off the base, she strategically applied YSL Beauty's Touche Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen in shades 4 and 6.5 only on precise areas, making sure to let it sit and oxidize for a bit before blending. "To let your skin shine through like Paloma’s, try waiting to do foundation or concealer until after you’ve done blush, bronzer, and the rest of your look," Bosch advises. "Only apply where you really need it. For example: around the nostrils, in the hollow of the eye. Your skin will breathe and you’ll still feel gorgeous without all the coverage—I promise!"

The eyes remained rather minimal by comparison—just a quick coat of Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara (an impressively clump-free formula) and a dusting of shadow from the Couture Mini Clutch Luxury Eyeshadow Palette to subtly define the lids. To finish off the look, Bosch created a subtly sculpted lip with YSL's Kiss Shaper Lip Liner in Sienna Rebel 109 and Cacao Flirt 107 followed by a swipe of Lovenude Lip Blusher in Mauve Haze 8. The result? Effortless, breathable glam that looks straight out of a Pre-Raphaelite painting. "Hopefully, people want to re-create this ethereal, effortless complexion and stunning glow," Bosch adds. "And maybe… a crystal on the ear or two?"

Shop Paloma Elsesser's 2026 Met Gala Makeup

We made it! Finally, it's the first Monday in May, which means that the chicest celebrities and tastemakers are busy ascending the famous steps at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the 2026 Met Gala. This year, the museum will display an exhibition titled Costume Art, with the ball's dress code being Fashion Is Art. Guests were asked to "express their own relationship to fashion as an embodied art form and celebrate the countless depictions of the dressed body throughout art history," and so far, many have done what they were told. (There are always a rogue few who don't, a daring choice given how often non-thematic looks are met with negative reviews.) Naturally, cohost Beyoncé knows better, rising to the occasion like she always does—and doing so alongside her daughter Blue Ivy Carter, who made her Met Gala debut tonight.

On Beyoncé: Custom Olivier Rousteing dress; Chopard jewelry

On Blue Ivy Carter: Custom Balenciaga; Jimmy Choo Alia Crystal Covered Pointy Toe Pumps ($4900)

For tonight's ball, Beyoncé's first in a decade, the Cowboy Carter singer chose to work with Balmain's former creative director, designer Olivier Rousteing, together creating a silver, skeletal naked dress fit with a matching crown à la her sister Solange's Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination headpiece from 2018 and a feather cape. (In 2016, at her last Met Gala, she dressed in a peach-colored latex number by Givenchy.) The crown wasn't the only embellished accessory she wore, though. With it, she worked with Chopard, curating a mix of diamond pieces, including a necklace in 18K white gold with one 6.41-carat brilliant-cut diamond and 140 carats of additional diamonds. And that's not counting the bracelet, earrings, and rings.

Her daughter went a simpler route, donning a white, strapless bubble dress with a shorter hemline that perfectly showed off her Cinderella-esque pumps and a coordinating bomber jacket, both by Balenciaga. A diamond necklace with a yellow diamond pendant was the star, while her brown cat-eye sunglasses gave her look a feeling of unbothered coolness that only a 14-year-old girl could pull off. Yes, she's 14, and yes, we're feeling old too.

On the red carpet, Beyoncé was the picture of a proud mom, saying, “She looks so beautiful," about her daughter. "It’s incredible to be able to share [her first Met Gala] with her.” She also praised her daughter’s red carpet posing, saying, “She was ready! She is ready.”

See the mother-daughter duo from every angle below.

Margot Robbie has been a longtime Chanel ambassador. She officially became a partner of the French fashion house in 2018, so she has worn designs from Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard for many red carpets, including the Met Gala. Though we've seen Robbie wear several designs by Matthieu Blazy since he took the helm of the brand last year, tonight marks her first Chanel look designed for the Met Gala by the creative director.

The golden draped lamé dress is designed with a cascade of ruffles along the back and embellished with feathers and flower petals. The intricate design includes 1080 embroidered elements and took 761 hours to make. Robbie's look was also styled with Chanel High Jewelry, including rings and a pair of chandelier earrings that tap into the heirloom-jewelry trend we've been seeing on the rise in 2026. Ahead, see Margot Robbie's custom Chanel look for the 2026 Met Gala.

See Margot Robbie's Custom Chanel Met Gala Dress

On Margot Robbie: custom Chanel dress; Chanel High Jewelry earrings and rings; Manolo Blahnik Paloma sandals

The Kardashian-Jenner women are no strangers to the Met Gala. They've been attending since 2013, when Kim Kardashian made her debut. Following that, Kendall Jenner went in 2014, Kris Jenner in 2015, Kylie Jenner in 2016, and both Khloé Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian in 2022.

Regardless of the year, they always bring the fashion and tend to step onto the Met steps fashionably late. The 2026 Met Gala is no exception—as the red carpet is now winding down, the Kardashian-Jenner clan has just arrived, bringing plenty to talk about, starting with Kylie's ensemble.

For fashion's biggest night, Kylie has stepped out in a custom Schiaparelli "dropped ball gown" by Daniel Roseberry. It features a "rigid bustier in brown corset toile embellished with a sfumato effect, and a voluminous skirt with over 2,000 sating stitching balls, 10,000 natural baroque pearls, and more than 7,000 painted pearlescent fish scales," the brand notes in a press release. To complete the look, Kylie chose an antique silver necklace decorated with rhinestones, pearls, and small hand-sculpted bird heads, and matching chandelier earrings.

Jenner's dress is a true work of art, perfectly embodying the Fashion Is Art dress code. The embroidery alone took approximately 11,000 hours, showcasing a high level of craftsmanship. The beaded details highlight the labor intensity and storytelling. At the same time, the use of a "sfumato effect," a Renaissance painting technique, is what solidifies the dress's artistry.

Keep scrolling to see Kylie's 2026 Met Gala outfit, destined to be pinned, saved, and added to lists of the best Met Gala red carpet looks to date.

See Kylie Jenner's Dress

On Kylie Jenner: custom Schiaparelli

See the Sketches of Jenner's Dress

If there is anyone who understands that fashion is a full-body sport, it’s legendary tennis ace Venus Williams. We’ve watched her redefine "courtside chic" for years, but stepping into the role of Met Gala cochair this year took her style game to a whole new arena. While she’ll be the first to tell you that the museum’s iconic steps are way more nerve-racking than a Grand Slam final (or even her recent wedding aisle), she arrived looking every bit the regal champion we adore.

Of course, tonight's megawatt Met Gala look followed the Fashion Is Art dress code for this year's Costume Institute exhibit, which examines fashion as a wearable art form. Williams used her custom jewelry to symbolize the connection between her worlds of high-fashion glamour and the physicality required to be one of the best athletes in the world. Every detail was a deliberate nod to "Body of Science," Gatorade's just-launched multiyear global research initiative, which is bringing attention to the lack of research dedicated specifically to women’s bodies. It’s a subtle reminder that while we’ve mastered the aesthetic of the female form, we’re still catching up on the science behind it.

Before the big event, we connected with Venus Williams to chat about following in her sister Serena's footsteps as cochair, conquering Met Gala–day nerves, and why her bespoke jewelry was the ultimate power play on fashion's biggest night of the year.

WHO: Venus Williams
WEAR: Custom Swarovski
STYLED BY: Ronald Burton III

What was your initial reaction upon being asked to be a cochair this year? Did Serena give you any advice from her time as cochair in 2019?

My initial reaction was, honestly, oh my gosh, yay! There was celebration, disbelief, and a lot of gratitude to have even been considered. I don’t think anyone ever feels worthy of being a cochair of the Met, so it was an incredible feeling. I remember being immensely proud when my sister was cochair, so I know she feels the same about me. I’m still in disbelief; it’s one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had. I’m planning on enjoying the whole experience.

Tell me about your Met Gala jewelry.

My accessories on Monday night are all custom pieces, and they're really designed to bring to life that only 6% of global sports science research focuses exclusively on the female body. Every detail was thoughtfully crafted to connect back to the Body of Science story in a way that feels cohesive and expressive.

How did Body of Science inspire your Met Gala jewelry and looks for the other Met moments?

We crafted looks together that were really meant to call attention to the women’s sports science research problem, including my pre-gala dinner look, the press preview event look, and, of course, my accessories for Monday night. I really wanted each look to tell an individual story on its own, while together telling a bigger story about the power of female bodies and the need to better understand them.

Why is working with Gatorade a good fit for you? What are they working on that excites you?

As an athlete, Gatorade has obviously always been there throughout my career. They have always led from the front when it comes to investing in women’s sports and pushing the ball forward, and when they came to me about Body of Science and being a meaningful part of the solution, it was an easy yes.

Congratulations on your recent wedding! What's more nerve-racking: walking down the aisle or walking up the Met Gala steps, and why?

Walking up the Met Gala stairs will definitely be more nerve-racking for me. I’m naturally quite shy, even if it doesn’t always come across. I’ve always been deeply introverted. Though I’ve grown into more of an "extroverted introvert" over time. That’s why this moment feels a little more daunting. Walking down the aisle felt completely natural. I already knew I wanted to marry my husband, so there were no nerves.

How has the sports science research gap impacted your career? Why is female-specific sports science data important in tennis and other sports?

When Gatorade was first sharing Body of Science, I guess I wasn’t surprised, but was obviously a little frustrated that I spent decades optimizing my fitness and wellness to be the best on the court, and realizing it wasn’t optimized for me. It’s so important for women to have information, resources, and education catered to us and our unique needs, and I’m excited that the next generation of female tennis players, as well as females across life stages, will have better, science-backed data to make decisions about their bodies. People keep asking, “What’s next for women’s sports?” and I think this is a huge part of it.

There's nothing quite like the first Monday in May, when the most prominent names in fashion, sports, Hollywood, and more come together for one night only to support the arts, and more specifically, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's fashion's biggest night, and this year's Met Gala cohosts and buzzy guests—Nicole Kidman! Venus Williams! Zoë Kravitz!—outdid themselves debuting jaw-dropping ensembles with art in mind. The dress code for 2026's ball is Fashion Is Art, which ties back to the Costume Institute's corresponding exhibition, Costume Art, and allows for plenty of varying interpretations. As a result, everyone joined the hosts and got creative, debuting masterpiece after masterpiece as they arrived at the base of the museum's carpeted steps.

WHO: Gigi Hadid

WEAR: Custom Miu Miu dress; Jessica McCormack Asymmetric Emerald Diamond Hoop Earrings (Price upon request), 5.01ct Heart-Shaped Diamond Button Back Ring (Price upon request), 7.01ct Emerald Cut Diamond Button Back Ring (Price upon request), Large Cut-Down Blackened Gold Band ($30750), and a Small Round Diamond Millegrain Eternity Band ($27250)

Gigi Hadid is one such attendee, arriving on the Van Gogh–inspired carpet for her 11th Met Gala wearing a completely sheer, rhinestone-crusted gown by Miu Miu featuring flame and floral embroidery in gold, black, and silver. According to an interview with Vogue, she referenced two Miu Miu collections from the past—spring 1998 and spring 2011—taking the sheer base from the former and the embroidery from the latter. She paired the dress with a smattering of diamond jewelry by Jessica McCormack. I'm talking over 33 carats worth.

The result is a naked-dress outfit for the Met Gala record books—and an unexpected lingerie trend.

Given the translucent nature of her dress, you can easily spot the panties she chose to wear underneath it: a pair of cream cheeky underwear. Typically, it's thongs that we spot on the red carpet, so Hadid's cheeky style is an unexpected choice, one that will no doubt influence the way people shop for undergarments post-Met. All I'm saying is that the next time you go shopping for new undies, keep this look in mind.

If you haven't yet tuned in to the beauty and fashion feast that is the 2026 Met Gala, I officially welcome you to the party—virtually speaking, of course. This year's attendees are truly jaw-dropping (just take it from our live blog, which features real-time editor reactions), so much so that it's difficult to pick just one favorite red carpet look. Being the eager beauty editor I am, I also must call out the swoon-worthy makeup and hair, from Zoë Kravitz to Doja Cat to Nicole Kidman. I want to re-create them all!

Luckily, I just received insider intel on the latter. According to her longtime hairstylist Adir Abergel, Kidman and her daughter Sunday Rose stepped on the carpet donning 60 centimeters of extensions each (ahem, 120 centimeters total). That's a lot of hair. Keep scrolling to see the XL lengths from every angle, along with the steps and products you need to replicate each 'do.

"For Nicole and Sunday’s first Met Gala together, I wanted to create a meaningful connection for this special moment," Abergel says in a news release. "Hair became a subtle yet beautiful unifying thread, tying their looks together through a shared expression of modern elegance." Both looks are sleek and middle-parted, but when you gaze at them up close, you'll notice some low-key differences. Nicole's style, of course, featured eyelash-kissing fringe, while Sunday's long locks have a slight bend.

Abergel first brushed out Nicole's towel-dried hair using a Denman D38 Detangling Brush (his favorite), then prepped the strands with Virtue's Damage Reverse Serum and a few pumps of the brand's Healing Oil. "I began by blow-drying with a Denman paddle and Shark Beauty FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System to get the bangs to sweep perfectly and create just the right amount of shine and polish to the hair," he notes.

Then came the extensions—namely, BHBD's 60-centimeter extensions in the shade 9NG/11N, which he says perfectly matched Nicole's color and texture. "To finish the look, I warmed a few drops of Virtue’s Healing Oil between my hands, gently tilted her head, and smoothed it through her long, golden locks for an added veil of luster and shine," he adds.

Sunday's style followed a similar lineup, only Abergel raked Virtue's 6-in-1 Styler through her locks and added a bit of Volumizing Primer at the roots before blow-drying. "This is a great base to create a strong and healthy foundation that will last all night," he shares. He used the same brush and Shark blow-dryer for a smooth, straight finish, then added BHBD extensions in the shades 5NG/6NG.

Then, instead of leaving her strands stick-straight, "I coiled some hair around my fingers and applied heat with the Shark Beauty FlexStyle to create an uneven slight bend throughout," Abergel explains. A touch of Healing Oil to seal in the shine, and there you have it—a stunning, Rapunzel-like hairstyle worthy of the 17-year-old's first Met. "The result was reflective and full of movement," Abergel adds. It was also, dare I say, a work of art.

Shop Nicole Kidman's and Sunday Rose's Met Gala Hairstyles

Shop More Products From Nicole Kidman's 2026 Met Gala Look

Zoë Kravitz has been out and about in NYC for the past few weeks, showing off her spring-to-summer transitional outfits complete with a not-so-low-key addition—a sizable oval diamond set low into a slim yellow-gold band on her ring finger. Kravitz has been signaling that singer Harry Styles may now be her fiancé; however, neither has confirmed.

Regardless of the relationship status, one fact is undeniable: Kravitz has officially returned to the Met Gala. Her arrival for the 2026 Met Gala marks the end of a notable absence, as she had not attended the annual event since 2021. This year, her attendance was not merely as a guest. Kravitz is in a far more central role, serving as a cochair of the Gala Host Committee, where members include Sabrina Carpenter, Chase Sui Wonders, Doja Cat, Teyana Taylor, and more, alongside Saint Laurent's creative director, Anthony Vaccarello.

To no one's surprise, for fashion's biggest night, Kravitz chose a Saint Laurent dress, finished with jewelry by Jessica McCormack. However, it's not just any Saint Laurent dress; it's one inspired by Look 37 from the brand's F/W 26 collection. The dress is a gorgeous black lace gown with a scoop-neck design and a fitted silhouette that sits close to the body throughout the arms and midriff, then extends into a structured skirt that accentuates the shape of the hips. The dress also features pockets, one of which Kravitz chose to utilize to tuck her left hand inside to conceal her ring finger.

Most notably, the lace on the dress is dense and graphic, creating a semi-see-through effect that reveals Kravitz's silhouette without showing too much. It's what we're calling the 2026 take on the naked dress trend, which we've seen throughout Met Gala history because it's more tasteful and polished than the naked dresses that stars have worn in the past.

Keep scrolling to see Kravitz's gorgeous 2026 Met Gala outfit for yourself.

See Zoë Kravitz's 2026 Met Gala Look

On Zoë Kravitz: Saint Laurent dress; Jessica McCormack jewelry

Ever since November 2025, when it was announced that the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute's spring 2026 exhibition theme would be Costume Art and the Met Gala 2026 dress code would be Fashion Is Art, we've been waiting with bated breath to see how the chicest celebrities would explore the intersection of fashion, the body, and 5000 years of art history. Good thing we don't have to wait another minute because the first set of A-listers has already graced the red carpet, starting with three-time cochair Nicole Kidman.

At the 2025 Met Gala, Kidman stunned in a custom Balenciaga dress, which took more than 700 hours to make, paired with a two-toned mullet haircut. This year, her look is entirely different. Skipping the satin and strapless silhouette, Kidman just arrived on the red carpet wearing a long-sleeve sequined red gown adorned with feathers at the sleeve cuffs and around the hips. She completed her look with a pin-straight long hairstyle, Chanel jewelry, and an archival timepiece that blurs the line between fashion, art, and history. The watch is a 1982 23 mm Omega Constellation Manhattan that's kept preserved at the Omega Museum in Bienne, Switzerland.

The most special part of it all is that Kidman stepped out arm in arm with her daughter Sunday Rose, who also wore an embellished gown. Sunday Rose's featured a strapless design, complete with three-dimensional floral embellishments that gave it a textured, almost feathered effect.

Given Kidman's and Sunday Rose's reputations for high fashion and trendsetting, we're certain this dress trend will be the go-to look for every chic wedding guest this summer. That said, keep scrolling to see Kidman's and Sunday Rose's 2026 Met Gala looks, and shop the embellished dress trend for yourself.

See Nicole Kidman's and Sunday Rose's Dresses

On Nicole Kidman: Chanel dress, jewelry; Omega watch

Shop Embellished Dresses

There are many glittering red carpet events in a calendar year, but none captures our hearts quite like the Met Gala. On this first Monday of May, celebrities, designers, socialites, and more will descend upon the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City dressed in fashion’s finest while (mostly) adhering to the event’s theme: Costume Art, in correspondence with the museum’s spring exhibition. The 2026 dress code is simply Fashion Is Art, according to a press release from the Met, and a flood of stars is slowly ascending those revered stairs decked in referential ensembles and custom couture. But we beauty editors are locked in on the makeup, hair, and nail moments that make Met Gala looks stand the test of time.

While the event is primarily a showcase of the greatest modern (and archival) feats in fashion, there is no denying the power a great beauty look has to pull everything together. Sculptural silhouettes and lush fabrics can take a look to the sky, but it’s the painstakingly styled hair moments, dazzling storms of eye shadow, and vivid clouds of blush that land the plane.

Follow along as we detail the beauty looks that turned these stylish celebrities into living, breathing works of art (and keep up with our live reactions to the red carpet as the night goes on). Our Super Bowl is finally here.

The Best Beauty Looks at the 2026 Met Gala

Late but extremely worth the wait, Rihanna floated onto the mossy Met Gala carpet adorned in a silver, gold, and bronze gem-encrusted gown with matching makeup and hair. The devil was in the details: Golden spirals adorned her slicked curls, and gems decorated her eyes and mimicked falling tears. The multi-hyphenate also made a case for frosted lips; her Cupid's bow glistening champagne-gold.

Beauty products used: Fenty Beauty Trace'd Out Lip Liner in Rose Amber ($22), Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter ($40), Fenty Beauty Shake N' Play Liquid Blush ($28)

It's official: We're crowning Anok Yai the winner of the best Met Gala beauty competition. From her bronze statue-inspired hair and skin to her visceral dripping tears, the look is teeming with references. This one will go in the makeup history books.

Beyoncé looks every bit a sun goddess in her bejeweled headpiece, flowing curls, and skeleton-inspired gown (and every bit the proud mother at Blue Ivy's first Met). To allow her couture to steal the show, she kept her makeup simple and beautiful—but that by no means means boring. Her cool-pink blush, placed on the apples of her cheeks, adds a youthful glow while her eyes and lips are frosted with glittery shadows and glosses.

Beauty products used: Cécred Volumizing Mousse ($32), Cécred Strong Hold Gel ($32), Cécred Flexible Hold Hairspray ($38)

Is Doechii capable of anything less than iconic? Based on her Met Gala appearance tonight, the answer is no. The rapper paired her layered look with a stunning array of plum and shimmery mint green eye shadows to pull in her ornate jewelry and let her curls fall softly from her headpiece.

Beauty products used: Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Color Stick ($24), Milk Makeup Highlighter Stick ($24), Milk Makeup Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss ($26)

We didn't expect to see Hudson Williams on our list of the best beauty looks, but we learned a firm lesson to never underestimate the breakout star. His softly tousled hair contrasts the striking blue and red slashes of eye shadow adorning his eyes, which he confirmed was inspired by Black Swan. Bravo, Hudson!

Beauty products used: Chanel Les 9 Ombres Eyeshadow Palette in The Space Traveler ($160), Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer ($349, was $450), Redken Max Sculpting Gel ($28)

Leave it to Sabrina Carpenter to steal the show in both the fashion and beauty categories. While her gown—a custom Dior dress made of film—was undoubtedly the star of the show, her dripping-diamonds headpiece, chic roller curls, and signature soft glam made us ooh and ahh.

Beauty products used: Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Treatment ($36), Redken Spray Wax Invisible Texture Mist ($29), Redken Control Hairspray ($29)

Ayo Edebiri's angelic Chanel look was enough to capture our attention, but her shimmering glam (body glitter and all!) made us stay. The actress and comedian let her hair fall loosely out of its braided style to offset her frosty, ethereal glam, fashioned by celebrity makeup artist Dee Carrion using Chanel Beauty.

Beauty products used: Chanel Les 9 Ombres Eyeshadow Palette in The New Singular ($160), Chanel Les Beiges Highlighting Fluid ($56), Chanel Baume Essentiel Glow Stick ($49)

The picture of painterly grace, Euphoria star Hunter Schafer stole our breath with this watercolor-finish, vintage-inspired look. Her skin was kept simple and velvety to showcase the cloud of peachy-pink blush that stretches from her lips to her under-eyes and the hazy wash of denim blue on her eyelids. To finish the look, Schafer popped on a medium pink lipstick, skipped mascara, and blew her hair dry into bouncy, romantic waves.

Beauty products used: Prada Beauty Touch Blush ($42), Prada Beauty Dimensions Eyeshadow in Pure ($85), Prada Beauty Monochrome Hyper Matte in Tamaris ($50), K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil ($65), Ghd Speed Hair Dryer ($429)

Kylie Jenner confirmed it: Bleached brows are spring's coolest beauty trend yet. The multi-hyphenate's look, crafted by celebrity makeup artist Ariel Tejada, is kept relatively simple to show off her custom Schiaparelli gown, ornate jewels, and dyed brows. However, her Old Hollywood kiss curl–adorned hair makes a definite statement.

Beauty products used: Kylie Cosmetics Precision Pout Lip Liner in Cool Nude ($19), Kylie Cosmetics Plumping Powder Matte Lip in Nude Mood ($22), Kenra Perfect Medium Hold Hairspray ($21)

Joey King is the definition of cherubic thanks to her Pre-Raphaelite makeup and cascading red curls. The actress wears glowy pink blush high atop her cheeks to enhance the look's angelic innocence, and her lips are etched in a similar pink lip liner for a soft, natural pout.

Beauty products used: Neutrogena Evenly Clear Clarifying Hypochlorous Acid Spray ($15, was $17), Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer ($30)

We're transfixed by Ejae's crystalline look. The KPop Demon Hunters star slicked her hair into an ornate updo with delicate, crystal-embellished adornments draping over her asymmetrical knotted buns. To pull it all together, celebrity makeup artist Min Kim deepened the singer and actress's eyes with cool-toned, smoky brown shadow.

Beauty products used: Diorshow 5 Couleurs Eye Makeup Palette in Grand Bal ($72), SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($185), SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore ($155)

Angela Bassett turned heads at the 2026 Met Gala in a hot pink gown dripping in florals, but her beauty look is what truly captured our attention. The legendary actress kept blush at the focal point and adorned her under-eyes in Twiggy-esque individual lashes. If you look closely, you can spot the scattered gems on her skin—one by her brow, another below the outer corner of her eye, and the other acting as a beauty mark above her lip.

Lisa's spellbinding Robert Wun look was completed with a gorgeous cool-toned eye shadow look, a smattering of crystals surrounding her eyes, and a wet-looking storm of kiss curls (and what our senior fashion editor Anna LaPlaca called "cool Princess Leia buns"). The singer and actress found ways to incorporate her jewels down to her fingertips—complete with crushed sequins on her hands and icy gems on her nails.

Beauty product used: Kiss Glam Embellished Press-On Nails in Day n' Night ($13)

FX Love Story alum Dree Hemingway gave new meaning to the word "ethereal." The actress looks straight out of a Renaissance painting with her halo-glow skin, blurred lips, and softly contoured skin.

If there's one person we can depend on to serve up an on-theme, striking look, it's Gwendoline Christie. The high-glam actress paired her oxblood Giles Deacon gown with inky red lips, wavy platinum tresses (a nod to paintings by John Dinger Sargent), and completely bare eyes. (Even her lashes and brows have been bleached!)

Beauty products used: Virtue Un-Frizz Cream ($22), Virtue Flourish Thickening Styling Treatment ($46), Virtue Healing Oil ($46)

In case you've been missing FX's Love Story on your screens, our on-screen Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (ahem, Sarah Pidgeon) stunned in a bronzy, natural spring look by celebrity makeup artist Emily Cheng using Chanel Beauty. To complement her glowing look, celebrity stylist Christian Wood styled Pidgeon's gradient blonde tresses in loose waves that delicately frame her face.

Beauty products used: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream ($195), Kenra Shine Spray ($21), Chanel Rouge Coco Satin Lipstick ($53), Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner ($36)

Doja Cat never shies away from a look, and this year's Met Gala ensemble might be her most glamorous yet. The star embraces a monochromatic look from head to toe—her mocha bronde strands blending effortlessly into her soft matte complexion, dramatic eyeliner moment, and nude lips before trailing into a latex-looking draped gown.

Beauty products used: RED by KISS 0.3 Inch Pencil Flat Iron ($25, was $28), MAC Cosmetics Brushstroke 24-Hour Liquid Eyeliner Pen in Brushblack ($25), MAC Lip Pencil in Cork ($18, was $25)

Zoë Kravitz is channeling Wuthering Heights romanticism with her windswept hair and stunning half-up, half-down 'do by lauded celebrity hairstylist Nikki Nelms. To complement her breezy hairstyle and swept-up braids, the actress wore her eyebrows fluffy. In a painterly finish, Kravitz's cheeks and lips are flushed with terra-cotta pink, and her eyes are defined with a thin black line that wraps around her inner corner.

Beauty products used: Ghd Speed Hair Dryer ($429), SK-II Skinpower Re-New Airy Cream ($255), SK-II GenOptics Infinitaura Brightening Serum ($169), SK-II Aging Skin Facial Treatment Essence ($99)

Charli XCX took her signature barely there smoky eye and amped it up with a swipe of plum eyeliner in her lower waterline. Her nude lip completes her diffused, cool-toned glam with cool-girl flair, and she finished the look with a voluminous half-up, half-down 'do by celebrity stylist Matt Benns.

Beauty products used: Wavytalk Smooth Barrier Heat Protectant Spray ($29), Wavytalk Power Wave Hair Crimper ($60, was $80), Initio Parfums Privés Atomic Rose Eau de Parfum ($280)

Chase Sui Wonders looks angelic in her breezy lilac gown and sculptural updo, fashioned by celebrity hairstylist Blake Erik. The former Who What Wear cover star kept her makeup classic with a smattering of champagne shimmer eye shadows and mauve lips to let her swooping hairstyle do the talking.

Beauty products used: Ilia Eye Stylus Shadow Stick in Beam ($33), Milk Shake Extra Strong Hairspray ($28), Milk Shake Medium Hold Gel ($26)

Cochair Venus Williams oozes regality in her custom Swarovski look, but the facet we love most about this ensemble is her crystal-adorned updo. A swirling bouquet of coiled braids, Williams's ultra-slicked hair features a single gem at the center of every spiral. To finish things off, the tennis star completed her glam with smoky, shimmer-flecked eyes.

Beauty product used: Kiss Glam Embellished Press-On Nails in Day n' Night ($13)

Red alert! Nicole Kidman graced the mossy carpet wearing shaggy curtain bangs (aka our new go-to bangs trend), styled by celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel, and subtly bronzy makeup. The famous blonde wore her golden hair long, just barely brushing the fiery feathers adorning her sleeves and waist.

Beauty products used: Virtue Healing Oil ($46), Virtue Damage Reverse Serum ($60), Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System ($230, was $350), Cle de Peau Eye Color Quad 8 ($80), Joonbyrd Confetti Sky Multitasking Hand Treatment ($65)

Cara Delevingne is giving us a master class in elegant styling with her slicked finger waves and low, knotted bun. The model, singer, and actress wore her makeup in a classic black wing and a chic, blurred lip—the perfect combo.

Ashley Graham arrived on the green carpet in a tan ensemble and natural, glowing makeup—letting her silver-dipped nails (and fingers!) do the talking. Though we're obsessed with her literal take on chrome nails, we're itching to re-create her petal-pink pout and brown mascara makeup look for spring.

Beauty products used: Revlon ColorStay Full Time Volumizing Mascara in Black Brown ($12), Revlon ColorStay Face & Body Glow Lotion ($7, was $11), Revlon PhotoReady Blur Liner in Lazy ($10, was $13)

Emma Chamberlain kicked things off with artistic flair. The creator and six-time Vogue special correspondent donned a sweeping oil painting–inspired Mugler gown that perfectly complemented her bleached-blonde hair—a nod to the Fashion Is Art dress code.

Her ’20s-inspired eye shadow look, courtesy of celebrity makeup artist Lilly Keys using Makeup by Mario, feels perfectly in line with the exhibition’s Costume Art —bleached eyebrows and deeper inner corners and all. To make things extra regal, the star’s inner corners are flecked with gold.

Beauty products used: Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Neutrals ($56), Makeup by Mario Master Metallics Eyeshadow Palette ($52), Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Lipstick in Erin ($28)

It's here! We've arrived at the first Monday in May, a date that every fashion person has had circled in red ink in their calendars. It's finally time for the 2026 Met Gala. The dress code for this evening is Fashion Is Art, and guests have been instructed to "celebrate the countless depictions of the dressed body throughout art history" in their looks. The theme mirrors the Costume Art exhibit, which explores the relationship between clothing and the body. As for the guest list itself, well, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams are joining Anna Wintour as the evening's cochairs, which means that the red—er, beige—carpet has been as varied as it is star-studded.

Now, let's get into the fashion. The evening has seen countless custom ensembles and couture moments, from like Kylie Jenner's sculpted Schiaparelli look to Rihanna's shimmering Maison Margiela couture, as well as many looks plucked right from the fall 2026 runway collections that were staged just a few short months ago, including Zoë Kravitz's striking sheer lace Saint Laurent dress with a corseted waist. The looks here may be all we can talk about right now, but we can all but guarantee they'll leave an impact on fashion dialogue for years to come. With plenty of showstopping moments and epic celebrity sightings (Beyoncé and Blue Ivy! Nicole Kidman and her daughter Sunday Rose!), scroll down to see all the best red carpet looks from the 2026 Met Gala.

WHO: Rihanna
WEAR: Maison Margiela couture; Briony Raymond and DYNE jewelry; Glenn Spiro earrings; Fred Leighton ring; custom Jennifer Behr headpieces

WHO: Beyoncé
WEAR: Olivier Rousteing look; Chopard jewelry
STYLED BY: Ty Hunter

WHO: Kylie Jenner
WEAR: Custom Schiaparelli

WHO: Nicole Kidman
WEAR: Chanel dress; Omega watch
STYLED BY: Jason Bolden

WHO: Hailey Bieber
WEAR: Saint Laurent look; Belperron earrings

WHO: Kendall Jenner
WEAR: Custom GapStudio; Buccellati jewelry

WHO: Sabrina Carpenter
WEAR: Dior look; Chopard jewelry; Christian Louboutin shoes
STYLED BY: Jared Ellner

WHO: Gigi Hadid
WEAR: Custom Miu Miu; Jessica McCormack jewelry

WHO: Zoë Kravitz
WEAR: Saint Laurent; Jessica McCormack jewelry
STYLED BY: Alexandra Mandelkorn

WHO: Teyana Taylor
WEAR: Tom Ford

WHO: Kim Kardashian
WEAR: Allen Jones and Whitaker Malem look; Christian Louboutin shoes

WHO: Margot Robbie
WEAR: Chanel

WHO: Paloma Elsesser
WEAR: Francesco Risso look; Bernard James necklace and ring

WHO: SZA
WEAR: Bode

WHO: Tessa Thompson
WEAR: Valentino dress; Pandora jewelry
STYLED BY: Karla Welch

WHO: Dree Hemingway
WEAR: Valentino couture; Pandora jewelry

WHO: Laura Harrier
WEAR: Di Petsa look; Briony Raymond and Isabel Delgado jewelry

WHO: Emma Chamberlain
WEAR: Custom Mugler; Stuart Weitzman shoes; Chopard jewelry
STYLED BY: Jared Ellner

WHO: Lisa
WEAR: Robert Wun look; Bulgari jewelry

WHO: Chase Infiniti
WEAR: Thom Browne dress; Marli jewelry

WHO: Simone Ashley
WEAR: Stella McCartney dress; De Beers jewelry

WHO: Daisy Edgar-Jones
WEAR: McQueen dress; Bucheron jewelry

WHO: Louisa Jacobson
WEAR: Custom Dilara Findikoglu; Repossi jewelry
STYLED BY: Edward Bowleg

WHO: Doechii
WEAR: Custom Marc Jacobs; David Webb jewelry
STYLED BY: Sam Woolf

WHO: Adwoa Aboah
WEAR: Simone Rocha look; Nikos Koulis jewelry; Sauer earrings

WHO: Lila Moss
WEAR: Conner Ives; Jimmy Choo shoes

WHO: Venus Williams
WEAR: Custom Swarovski
STYLED BY: Ronald Burton III

WHO: Hunter Schafer
WEAR: Prada
STYLED BY: Dara

WHO: Ayo Edebiri
WEAR: Chanel dress and jewelry

WHO: Keke Palmer
WEAR: Prabal Gurung look; Christian Louboutin shoes; Wempe jewelry

WHO: Alexa Chung
WEAR: Custom Dior dress and shoes; Dior Joaillerie ring and earrings

WHO: Anok Yai
WEAR: Balenciaga

WHO: Maude Apatow
WEAR: Valentino look; Brilliant Earth jewelry
STYLED BY: Mimi Cuttrell

WHO: Gracie Abrams
WEAR: Chanel; Manolo Blahnik shoes

WHO: Charli XCX
WEAR: Saint Laurent dress and shoes; David Yurman jewelry

WHO: Emily Blunt
WEAR: Mikimoto pearl body necklace

WHO: Angela Bassett
WEAR: Prabal Gurung; custom Aleví shoes; Judith Leiber bag; Messika jewelry; Glashütte watch
STYLED BY: Jennifer Austin

WHO: Carey Mulligan
WEAR: Custom Prada spring 1998; Tiffany & Co. jewelry

WHO: Naomi Osaka
WEAR: Robert Wun

WHO: Janelle Monáe
WEAR: Custom Christian Siriano; Blumera clutch; Rainbow K jewelry
STYLED BY: Alexandra Mandelkorn

WHO: Alex Consani
WEAR: Gucci

WHO: Grace Gummer
WEAR: Custom Gabriela Hearst

WHO: Vittoria Ceretti
WEAR: Carolina Herrera

WHO: Hudson Williams
WEAR: Balenciaga; Bulgari jewelry

WHO: Suki Waterhouse
WEAR: Michael Kors Collection; Christian Louboutin shoes; Boucheron jewelry

WHO: Olivia Wilde
WEAR: Thom Browne look; Jimmy Choo shoes
STYLED BY: Karla Welch

WHO: Maya Hawke
WEAR: Prada

WHO: Misty Copeland
WEAR: Michael Kors Collection; Effy Hematian jewelry
STYLED BY: Karla Welch

WHO: Paige Bueckers
WEAR: Custom Coach

WHO: Stevie Nicks
WEAR: Custom Zara by John Galliano; Tiffany & Co. jewelry

WHO: Yseult
WEAR: Harris Reed look; Chopard jewelry
STYLED BY: KJ Moody

WHO: Alysa Liu
WEAR: Custom Louis Vuitton; Pasquale Bruni jewelry
STYLED BY: Katie Qian

WHO: Joey King
WEAR: Miu Miu

WHO: Irina Shayk
WEAR: Alexander Wang

WHO: Angel Reese
WEAR: Altuzarra dress; Blumera clutch; Stuart Weitzman shoes; Smiling Rocks jewelry

WHO: Camila Morrone
WEAR: Tory Burch; David Yurman jewelry
STYLED BY: Emma Morrison

WHO: Chase Sui Wonders
WEAR: Alexander McQueen dress and bag; Wolford bodysuit; Amina Muaddi shoes; Tiffany & Co. jewelry
STYLED BY: Thomas Carter Phillips

WHO: Connor Storrie
WEAR: Saint Laurent; Omega Constellation Observatory 39.4mm watch; Tiffany & Co. jewelry
STYLED BY: James Yardley

WHO: Sarah Pidgeon
WEAR: Loewe
STYLED BY: Emma Morrison

WHO: Gwendoline Christie
WEAR: Giles Deacon look; Herbert Levine pumps; Gillian Wearing mask

WHO: Ashley Graham
WEAR: Di Petsa dress; Zales jewelry
STYLED BY: Ava Deith

WHO: Cara Delevingne
WEAR: Ralph Lauren dress; De Beers jewelry

For some, today is just the first Monday in May. For those who follow fashion and celebrity style, it's Met Gala Monday. It's undoubtedly our most highly anticipated event of the entire year here at Who What Wear. The buzz about who will walk the red carpet (which is always kept a secret) has been growing by the day, and we've finally reached the hour in which we get the answers, along with what they're wearing. As is always the case, many of the most iconic looks at the Met Gala tonight will live on in fashion history. In addition to Anna Wintour, the 2026 cochairs are Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams, so we know for sure that we have that to look forward to.

This year's Met Gala dress code is "Fashion Is Art," intended to complement the Met's exhibition theme, Costume Art. As always, we'll be keeping close tabs on who does and doesn't follow said dress code, although the theme is a bit more vague some years than others—this year being one of them. That said, a theme that allows for a broader interpretation can make for a very interesting red carpet.

Along with our minute-by-minute Met Gala coverage on Instagram and our roundups of the best fashion and beauty looks on the red carpet of the night, you can follow along here as we provide our real-time reactions to the evening's biggest moments. Stay tuned!

Happy Met Gala Monday to all who celebrate! We're IRL at The Mark Hotel to get the first glimpse at the attendees as they head for the red carpet. Be sure to catch all of the candid moments we capture on Who What Wear's Instagram.

Posted up on the Upper East Side at The Carlyle and The Surrey!

Erin, our associate director of fashion news, is reporting live from the Met Gala red carpet—or should we say cobblestone carpet?

Here we go! Emma Chamberlain is one of the first to step onto the red carpet. She's wearing custom Mugler and looks like an oil painting personified, which is right in step with the Fashion Is Art theme.

Ashley Graham has arrived and is wearing a custom Di Petsa wet-look gown similar to one featured in The Met's Costume Art exhibition that my colleague Eliza spotted while previewing it this morning.

Charli XCX just exited The Carlyle and is en route to the steps of The Met.

Cochair Nicole Kidman just stepped onto the red carpet (wearing Chanel, of course) with her daughter Sunday Rose Kidman Urban in Dior.

Anna has arrived. Like Nicole Kidman, she's wearing Chanel. I'm going to need a minute to stare at her feathered cape. Feathers have already become a signature of Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel, and have been featured prominently in his collections for the fashion house thus far. Fun fact: She wore a pink version of this look that was almost identical to the Met Gala in 2019.

My colleague Anna just posted Who What Wear's Met Gala 2026 red carpet roundup featuring the best looks of the night. Be sure to follow along as she updates it throughout the evening. Lots to come!

Who What Wear's roundup of the best beauty looks of the night is also live! Our editor Alyssa will leave no stone unturned, so be sure to keep checking it for updates. There are going to be plenty of jaw-dropping beauty moments on the red carpet—trust me.

Connor Storrie (and his Saint Laurent polka-dot scarf) just stepped out of The Carlyle and is on his way to make his Met Gala red carpet debut.

Not sure we'll be getting a glimpse of Zoë Kravitz's engagement ring on the red carpet tonight. She's really using the pockets of her peplumed lace Saint Laurent F/W 26 dress to their fullest.

One of the most iconic moments of Met Gala night in 2024 was when Doja Cat stepped out of The Mark in a bath towel. Well, Hudson Williams just re-created that moment. We applaud you, Hudson.

2026's breakout star has arrived! Sarah Pidgeon is wearing Loewe for her Met Gala debut.

Few red carpets produce moments such as this. Sarah Pidgeon's Love Story costar Dree Hemingway just arrived wearing Valentino Haute Couture S/S 26, designed by Alessandro Michele.

Gigi is here, and she's wearing custom Miu Miu! Could this be a sign that the naked dress is back?

Spotted leaving The Surrey en route to The Met: golden girl Hailey Bieber.

Another Met Gala debut! Figure skating star (and new Louis Vuitton ambassador) Alysa Liu just arrived wearing a custom creation by the fashion house. "Her stylist Katie Qian told Up Next, "Our LV Look is a 'dissected' dress—it's meant to recall a cross-section of the human body or a cell. The ruffles have an anatomical shape, almost like muscle striation, veins, the interior of a cell. At the same time it also shows the 'guts' and the interior structure of a dress, showcasing the creation of clothing as an art form."

Our latest cover star, Carey Mulligan, just arrived, wearing vintage Prada from the S/S 98 collection. The abstract print on the sleek column dress calls to mind a piece of modern art.

Wearing deconstructed custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture, Kylie Jenner is sure to be on every list of the attendees who nailed the theme, "inviting guests to express their own relationship to fashion as an embodied art form and celebrate the countless depictions of the dressed body throughout art history." The inspiration was the iconic Ancient Greek sculpture Venus de Milo.

The wait is over! Sabrina Carpenter just stepped on the hand-painted carpet wearing custom Christian Dior. You'll want to zoom in on this one—her dress is made of film strips.

Margot Robbie has arrived, and the Chanel ambassador is fittingly wearing Chanel. Her dress took 761 hours to create and has 1080 embroidered elements. That fringed train will surely go down in Met Gala history.

I had a hunch you'd want to see Hailey Bieber's full look. She's wearing custom Saint Laurent. Our team is getting superhero vibes.

Gracie Abrams is wearing a stunning brocade Chanel creation inspired by Klimt's most famous painting, The Kiss. I don't think anyone could've worn this dress better than Gracie.

SZA brought a major dose of drama to the red carpet in custom Bode. Fun fact: Designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla made the dress of fabric that was sourced from eBay, and she shared with Vogue that she looked to Vienna Workshop, a pre-war design collective, for inspiration.

Met Gala mainstay Kendall Jenner is wearing custom GapStudio, designed by Zac Posen. It's one of several Grecian-inspired looks of the night.

Anne Hathaway is wearing a custom, hand-painted Michael Kors Collection dress, designed with the artist Peter McGough. Kors told Vogue, "We used ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’ by John Keats as a starting point." Andy Sachs would be so proud.

If there were Met Gala red carpet awards, this would get the one for hair and makeup. Bad Bunny, wearing custom Zara, looks completely unrecognizable! You can always count on him to not phone it in.

Ladies and gentlemen, Beyoncé, wearing custom Olivier Rousteing. Met Gala cochairs are typically among the first to arrive, but not her. She's on the carpet with Jay-Z and Blue Ivy, making it a family affair.

Ayo Edebiri is looking positively angelic in a white Chanel gown, which gives the illusion of being held up by birds.

In case you missed it, Hunter Schafer, wearing a custom Prada gown which appears to be inspired by Gustav Klimt’s portrait Mäda Primavesi, is one of our editors' favorite looks of the night.

Blake Lively made a return to the Met Gala carpet tonight wearing a dramatic sherbet-hued Versace gown with a fitted bodice and full skirt. It's a signature look for her.

ICYMI, Chase Infiniti is another editor favorite of the night in a painterly Thom Browne formfitting dress.

You're not going to find another dress that moves like Teyana Taylor's, which is custom Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann. Here she is on the carpet with the designer.

The always fashionably late Rihanna is on her way from The Carlyle to The Met! Here's a first look.

The queen and king of the Met Gala have officially shut down the red carpet. Rihanna is wearing custom Maison Margiela drawing upon its Artisanal 2025 collection, and A$AP Rocky is wearing Chanel.

We all know what happens on the first Monday in May, but what about the first Sunday? As it turns out, there's an event that's even more exclusive than the Met Gala: a dinner party at Anna Wintour's house. While the Metropolitan Museum of Art can hold hundreds of guests, the Condé Nast executive's private residence naturally accommodates a much smaller group. An invitation, therefore, is hard to come by, but Sabrina Carpenter made the guest list.

At first glance, Carpenter's Sunday night outfit might seem like your standard dinner-party fare, but I noticed one small "if you know, you know" detail that made it align perfectly with both the 2026 Met Gala dress code and the theme of the museum's new exhibition. Both are concerned with the interplay between fashion and art, and what's arguably the most famous accessory ever featured in a work of art, you might ask? The titular jewelry from Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring," of course! That's exactly what Carpenter wore to Wintour's house last night. Coincidence? I think not. Scroll down to see her outfit, and stay tuned for Who What Wear's 2026 Met Gala red carpet coverage online and on Instagram and TikTok.

Sabrina Carpenter as "Girl With a Pearl Earring"

Re-Create Her Outfit

For fashion and beauty lovers alike, there is no more exciting event than the Met Gala. The annual affair, canonically hosted on the first Monday of May at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, is where a select few celebrities, designers and, on occasion, royals, don fashion’s finest to fundraise for the museum’s Costume Institute. There is always a theme, innumerable photographers, and a lavish red carpet filled with dazzling attendees dripping in custom couture. But as we well know, it’s the hair, makeup and nail details that bring a look to its final form.

Every year, beauty editors (myself included) pore over their screens to spy the small details that separate the good looks from the great ones. After all, it was Zendaya’s villainous glam, complete with '20s-inspired eyes, drawn-on brows, and glossed, vampy lips, that earned her 2024 Maison Margiela ensemble icon status. Doechii’s custom Louis Vuitton suit didn’t earn the headlines from her 2025 Met Gala debut—her blushed LV logo-shaped face stamp did. So when it comes to the most memorable Met Gala looks of all time, we consider how beauty helps fashion find its mark.

What to Know About the 2026 Met Gala

From the '80s to modern day, Who What Wear beauty editors surveyed decades of Met Gala beauty looks to deem the best of the best. Below, our favourites from Met Gala vets like Rihanna to newcomers like Chappell Roan.

The Best Met Gala Beauty Looks of All Time

We can't kick off the conversation around the best Met Gala beauty moments without mentioning Cher's bold eye look from 1985. In true '80s fashion, the singer accentuated her orbs with vivid violet eye shadow and rimmed her lash line with black eyeliner kohl—a look that somehow feels timeless despite the strong nostalgic nods.

"Zendaya's 2024 Met Gala makeup look has lived in my head rent-free for two calendar years," says WWW beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock. "The theme that year was Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, and she went all out with a 1920s-inspired look: vinyl oxblood lips, blown-out red eye shadow and skinny brows. It was a Maleficent-meets-flapper-girl look that left my jaw on the floor."

The year was 2019, and (nearly) everyone brought their very campiest looks to those famous steps. One standout that I'm not soon to forget was Lady Gaga's art-pop eyes, complete with an ultra-graphic eyeliner moment, a hot pink lip (that perfectly matches her fuchsia Brandon Maxwell gown, BTW), and the most exaggerated metallic strip lashes I've ever seen. If all of my memories fade in old age, I'll likely still remember this look.

"Rihanna always delivers for the Met Gala, but this makeup look has lived rent-free in my mind since 2017," says WWW assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert. "The outfit is gorgeous, but I think the exaggerated blush really brings it all together in a dramatic way. It makes her eye pop, and I adored the way she paired it with a berry-coloured lip. And considering how far we've come with blush and how much people embrace it now, it truly feels like she was ahead of her time with this one."

Gigi Hadid is the unsung beauty chameleon of the Met Gala. Not only has the model been consistently delivering looks that make the best dressed list since 2015, but she's always changing her hair and makeup style for the big night. In 2024, however, Hadid leaned into her now-signature pinup style of hair and makeup—shaping her bob into old-school, glamorous curls and completing the look with matching red lips and cheeks.

If there’s one thing I know to be true, it’s that Lupita N’yongo knows how to nail a theme. The movie star took the 2019 Camp theme seriously with glittery eyes and brows (a trend she carried into her 2025 look), completing the look with symbolic gold hair combs placed throughout her hair.

"I love when celebs stick to the Met Gala's annual theme. I love it even more when they don't just stick to it but embrace it entirely," says McLintock. "Lily Collins is the perfect example. She attended the 2019 Met Gala with bright lilac eye shadow and a sky-high bouffant covered in flowers. The theme that year was Camp: Notes on Fashion. She nailed it."

"If there’s one thing we know about Ari, it’s that she can rock a wing like nobody’s business," says WWW senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider. "I’m obsessed with the literal interpretation of winged liner here—so ethereal. I think about those handmade 3D petals to this day!"

"I remember my jaw truly dropped when I saw Ciara walk onto the 2019 Met Gala carpet for Camp: Notes on Fashion," says WWW Beauty Director Erin Jahns. "I'm a sucker for emerald, and between the dress, the hair and the makeup, I was (and am still) absolutely gobsmacked."

Iman will forever be a fashion and beauty icon, and this jewel-toned glam from the Eighteenth-Century Woman exhibition in 1981 is a master class in winter glam. (Yes, the Met Gala used to be held in December, as it was in this photo.) Walking arm in arm with Calvin Klein, the model flashed a smile whilst showing off her peachy-pink blush and sultry, blue-black smoky eye.

"We love a commitment to the theme!" Schneider exclaims. "Amber Valletta absolutely crushed it in 2004 (the theme was Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century) with a full Marie Antoinette–inspired getup, featuring powdered curls, petal-pink cheeks and faux beauty marks."

Can I be honest? We don't talk about FKA Twigs's editorial taste in beauty enough—nor her otherworldly glam from the 2024 Met. Her inky tresses were woven into a crown-like structure atop her head, and her glam was kept moderately simple. Well, if you take into account her glowy skin and shimmery lids and not the dozens of crystals embellishing her face, neck, and half-buzzed scalp. One of the most iconic beauty looks to grace any red carpet, IMO.

"If Zendaya channelled Maleficent [at the 2024 Met Gala], then Elle Fanning channelled Sleeping Beauty (a titular role she has experience playing)," muses McLintock. "With true glass skin and a crystallised Balmain gown to match, she looked like an ice fairy walking up the Met's iconic staircase."

Euphoria alum and past WWW cover star Barbie Ferreira took the term "flapper girl" and ran with it. The actress's ultra-glamorous '20s-inspired look keeps up with her intricately beaded dress thanks to a set of violet-shaded eyes, fluttery lashes, drawn-on brows and ringlet curls—pulled together by a single strand of pearls dangling from her middle part.

The 2025 Met Gala may have been rapper Doechii's first, but this LV-emblazoned look ensured that it won't be her last. The self-described "Swamp Princess" stopped us dead in our tracks with her raised LV beauty mark, bringing special-effects makeup into the Met Gala world in a way we didn't know we needed. (It also sends a simple message: She is fashion.)

"I mean, come ON," Jahns exclaims. "I've maintained for years that Emily Ratajkowski might not actually be human (and I mean that in the absolute best way possible), but this Cher-inspired look designed by Peter Dundas sent me over the edge. I love a retro beat to a look, and the '70s feel here is absolute perfection."

"This was easily one of my favourite looks from the 2024 Met Gala," says Talbert. "The pixie cut was elegant, and her eye makeup, which had an icy undertone, perfectly paired with her Swarovski catsuit (made up of 98,000 blue and purple crystals). It had the perfect amount of shimmer, down to the iridescent highlighter she was wearing."

I mean it—Hadid is a glam go-getter at the Met Gala. Take, for instance, this '60s-inspired look that the model and business owner donned at the 2021 event, complete with flowing mahogany tresses and vivid pastel blue eye shadow. Sure, Hadid's custom Prada gown was eye-catching, but the transformational beauty is what made this look a showstopper.

Who could forget Bleachella? Taylor Swift's last Met Gala attendance in 2016—where she also co-chaired the event—made waves thanks to her bleach-blonde, shaggy hairstyle and ultra-dark lips. It was possibly one of the biggest indicators of her upcoming Reputation era; we just didn't know it at the time.

Rihanna again, because we can't discount this gloriously frosty look at the 2023 Met. The multi-hyphenate paired cherry-red lips with icy matte eye shadow, a nod to the man of the hour's signature palette (the theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty), plus a pair of eyelash-adorned sunglasses—not shown here, but very worth mentioning.

"As if the custom Ralph Lauren column dress (covered in 36,000 black and silver crystals!) weren't enough, Janelle Monáe really sealed the deal with that perfect red lip," says McLintock. "Obviously, as a research-obsessed beauty editor, I have the ID: Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick in 201 (£38)

"I still remember the way my jaw fell to the floor when I saw Tyla descend on that 2024 carpet," says Schneider. "A bronzy, sun-kissed glow is already the singer’s signature, but she turned it up to the max with shimmery highlighter, cinnamon lip and tonnes of body gloss. And that dusting of sand on her shoulders? Perfection!"

"This was Emma Chamberlain's first Met, and she really delivered with her makeup," says Talbert. "I thought the neon green eyeliner paired with a smoky olive green–gold base and bold lashes created an effortlessly dramatic look. Something about it felt very Twiggy-inspired, and it complemented her dress perfectly."

If a celebrity wears a naked dress to a regular old movie premiere, it might not garner all that much attention. If they wear one to the Met Gala, however, it will instantly enter the fashion lexicon. Sheer and illusion dresses have become recurring headline-makers on those museum steps, and we have Cher to thank for that. She wore a bedazzled Bob Mackie number to the event in 1974, causing quite the stir. These days, the trend is not as controversial as it was back then, but it's no less memorable.

No one did it quite like Beyoncé at the Met Gala in 2015, when she arrived in a barely there Givenchy gown embroidered with glittering embellishments that caught the light (and every camera angle) perfectly. That’s exactly why this year feels primed for a full-circle moment. Beyoncé is officially back at the Met for the first time since 2016—and this time, she’s a cochair. Expectations are, understandably, high. But she’s not the only one who’s delivered a memorable take on the look. At the 2024 gala, Elle Fanning offered her own version with a glass-like gown that was a true work of art. Scroll down to revisit other sheer moments on the Met Gala red carpet.

Kim Kardashian in Jean Louis, 2022

Cher in Bob Mackie, 1974

Beyoncé in Givenchy, 2015

Zoë Kravitz in Saint Laurent, 2021

Kendall Jenner in Givenchy, 2021

Blake Lively in Chanel, 2011

Greta Lee in Loewe, 2024

Elle Fanning in Balmain, 2024

Rita Ora in Marni, 2024

Rachel Brosnahan in Sergio Hudson, 2023

For fashion and beauty lovers alike, there is no more exciting event than the Met Gala. The annual affair, canonically hosted on the first Monday of May at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, is where a select few celebrities, designers, and, on occasion, royals, don fashion’s finest to fundraise for the museum’s Costume Institute. There is always a theme, innumerable photographers, and a lavish red carpet filled with dazzling attendees dripping in custom couture. But as we well know, it’s the hair, makeup, and nail details that bring a look to its final form.

Every year, beauty editors (myself included) pore over their screens to spy the small details that separate the good looks from the great ones. After all, it was Zendaya’s villainous glam, complete with '20s-inspired eyes, drawn-on brows, and glossed, vampy lips, that earned her 2024 Maison Margiela ensemble icon status. Doechii’s custom Louis Vuitton suit didn’t earn the headlines from her 2025 Met Gala debut—her blushed LV logo-shaped face stamp did. So when it comes to the most memorable Met Gala looks of all time, we consider how beauty helps fashion find its mark.

What to Know About the 2026 Met Gala

From the '80s to modern day, Who What Wear beauty editors surveyed decades of Met Gala beauty looks to deem the best of the best. Below, our favorites from Met Gala vets like Rihanna to newcomers like Chappell Roan.

The Best Met Gala Beauty Looks of All Time

We can't kick off the conversation around the best Met Gala beauty moments without mentioning Cher's bold eye look from 1985. In true '80s fashion, the singer accentuated her orbs with vivid violet eye shadow and rimmed her lash line with black kohl—a look that somehow feels timeless despite the strong nostalgic nods.

"Zendaya's 2024 Met Gala makeup look has lived in my head rent-free for two calendar years," says WWW beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock. "The theme that year was Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, and she went all out with a 1920s-inspired look: vinyl oxblood lips, blown-out red eye shadow, and skinny brows. It was a Maleficent-meets-flapper-girl look that left my jaw on the floor."

The year was 2019, and (nearly) everyone brought their very campiest looks to those famous steps. One standout that I'm not soon to forget was Lady Gaga's art-pop eyes, complete with an ultra-graphic eyeliner moment, a hot pink lip (that perfectly matches her fuchsia Brandon Maxwell gown, BTW), and the most exaggerated metallic strip lashes I've ever seen. If all of my memories fade in old age, I'll likely still remember this look.

"Rihanna always delivers for the Met Gala, but this makeup look has lived rent-free in my mind since 2017," says WWW assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert. "The outfit is gorgeous, but I think the exaggerated blush really brings it all together in a dramatic way. It makes her eye pop, and I adored the way she paired it with a berry-colored lip. And considering how far we've come with blush and how much people embrace it now, it truly feels like she was ahead of her time with this one."

Gigi Hadid is the unsung beauty chameleon of the Met Gala. Not only has the model been consistently delivering looks that make the best dressed list since 2015, but she's always changing her hair and makeup style for the big night. In 2024, however, Hadid leaned into her now-signature pinup style of hair and makeup—shaping her bob into old-school, glamorous curls and completing the look with matching red lips and cheeks.

If there’s one thing I know to be true, it’s that Lupita N’yongo knows how to nail a theme. The movie star took the 2019 Camp theme seriously with glittery eyes and brows (a trend she carried into her 2025 look), completing the look with symbolic gold hair combs placed throughout her hair.

"I love when celebs stick to the Met Gala's annual theme. I love it even more when they don't just stick to it but embrace it entirely," says McLintock. "Lily Collins is the perfect example. She attended the 2019 Met Gala with bright lilac eye shadow and a sky-high bouffant covered in flowers. The theme that year was Camp: Notes on Fashion. She nailed it."

"If there’s one thing we know about Ari, it’s that she can rock a wing like nobody’s business," says WWW senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider. "I’m obsessed with the literal interpretation of winged liner here—so ethereal. I think about those handmade 3D petals to this day!"

"I remember my jaw truly dropped when I saw Ciara walk onto the 2019 Met Gala carpet for Camp: Notes on Fashion," says WWW Beauty Director Erin Jahns. "I'm a sucker for emerald, and between the dress, the hair, and the makeup, I was (and am still) absolutely gobsmacked."

Iman will forever be a fashion and beauty icon, and this jewel-toned glam from the Eighteenth-Century Woman exhibition in 1981 is a master class in winter glam. (Yes, the Met Gala used to be held in December, as it was in this photo.) Walking arm in arm with Calvin Klein, the model flashed a smile while showing off her peachy-pink blush and sultry, blue-black smoky eye.

"We love a commitment to the theme!" Schneider exclaims. "Amber Valletta absolutely crushed it in 2004 (the theme was Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century) with a full Marie Antoinette–inspired getup, featuring powdered curls, petal-pink cheeks, and faux beauty marks."

Can I be honest? We don't talk about FKA Twigs's editorial taste in beauty enough—nor her otherworldly glam from the 2024 Met. Her inky tresses were woven into a crown-like structure atop her head, and her glam was kept moderately simple. Well, if you take into account her glowy skin and shimmery lids and not the dozens of crystals embellishing her face, neck, and half-buzzed scalp. One of the most iconic beauty looks to grace any red carpet, IMO.

"If Zendaya channeled Maleficent [at the 2024 Met Gala], then Elle Fanning channeled Sleeping Beauty (a titular role she has experience playing)," muses McLintock. "With true glass skin and a crystallized Balmain gown to match, she looked like an ice fairy walking up the Met's iconic staircase."

Euphoria alum and past WWW cover star Barbie Ferreira took the term "flapper girl" and ran with it. The actress's ultra-glamorous '20s-inspired look keeps up with her intricately beaded dress thanks to a set of violet-shaded eyes, fluttery lashes, drawn-on brows, and ringlet curls—pulled together by a single strand of pearls dangling from her middle part.

The 2025 Met Gala may have been rapper Doechii's first, but this LV-emblazoned look ensured that it won't be her last. The self-described "Swamp Princess" stopped us dead in our tracks with her raised LV beauty mark, bringing special-effects makeup into the Met Gala world in a way we didn't know we needed. (It also sends a simple message: She is fashion.)

"I mean come ON," Jahns exclaims. "I've maintained for years that Emily Ratajkowski might not actually be human (and I mean that in the absolute best way possible), but this Cher-inspired look designed by Peter Dundas sent me over the edge. I love a retro beat to a look, and the '70s feel here is absolute perfection."

"This was easily one of my favorite looks from the 2024 Met Gala," says Talbert. "The pixie cut was elegant, and her eye makeup, which had an icy undertone, perfectly paired with her Swarovski catsuit (made up of 98,000 blue and purple crystals). It had the perfect amount of shimmer, down to the iridescent highlighter she was wearing."

I mean it—Hadid is a glam go-getter at the Met Gala. Take, for instance, this '60s-inspired look that the model and business owner donned at the 2021 event, complete with flowing mahogany tresses and vivid pastel blue eye shadow. Sure, Hadid's custom Prada gown was eye-catching, but the transformational beauty is what made this look a showstopper.

Who could forget Bleachella? Taylor Swift's last Met Gala attendance in 2016—where she also cochaired the event—made waves thanks to her bleach-blonde, shaggy hairstyle and ultra-dark lips. It was possibly one of the biggest indicators of her upcoming Reputation era; we just didn't know it at the time.

Rihanna again, because we can't discount this gloriously frosty look at the 2023 Met. The multi-hyphenate paired cherry-red lips with icy matte eye shadow, a nod to the man of the hour's signature palette (the theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty), plus a pair of eyelash-adorned sunglasses—not shown here, but very worth mentioning.

"As if the custom Ralph Lauren column dress (covered in 36,000 black and silver crystals!) weren't enough, Janelle Monáe really sealed the deal with that perfect red lip," says McLintock. "Obviously, as a research-obsessed beauty editor, I have the ID: Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick in 201 ($45)."

"I still remember the way my jaw fell to the floor when I saw Tyla descend on that 2024 carpet," says Schneider. "A bronzy, sun-kissed glow is already the singer’s signature, but she turned it up to the max with shimmery highlighter, cinnamon lip, and tons of body gloss. And that dusting of sand on her shoulders? Perfection!"

"This was Emma Chamberlain's first Met, and she really delivered with her makeup," says Talbert. "I thought the neon green eyeliner paired with a smoky olive green–gold base and bold lashes created an effortlessly dramatic look. Something about it felt very Twiggy-inspired, and it complemented her dress perfectly."

The first Monday in May, fashion's Super Bowl, is finally here. It's the biggest night for the world's best dressed and our personal favorite as armchair critics. Sure, it's fun to walk the Met's carpeted steps, but it's equally thrilling to do so from your couch. (We speak from experience.) This morning, we hit up the Metropolitan Museum of Art to preview the exhibit, Costume Art, that tonight's Met Gala exists to celebrate (and raise money for), which gave us plenty of insights about the dress code, Fashion Is Art. Read on for more on our findings from last November's announcement, as well as this morning's preview.

What Is the Met Gala 2026 Exhibition Theme?

According to the museum's press release, "The show will examine the centrality of the dressed body, juxtaposing garments and works of art from across the Museum’s vast collection to create pairings that not only illuminate the indivisible connection between clothing and the body but also the complex interplay between artistic representations of the body and fashion as an embodied art form." It will be on view from May 10 to January 10. Today's top designers were featured, like Anthony Vaccarello's Saint Laurent and Matthieu Blazy's Chanel, as were artists from the past, like Christian Dior and Alexander McQueen. Expect corsets, naked dresses, and so much more!

What Is the Met Gala 2026 Dress Code?

The exhibit and the dress code are never identical, but the latter is meant to complement what's on view at the museum. Invited guests, like Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, and Emma Chamberlain, were told to "express their own relationship to fashion as an embodied art form and celebrate the countless depictions of the dressed body throughout art history." We are predicting quite a bit of Comme des Garçons spring 1997 Lumps and Bumps collection, which was present at the preview and then some.

On the first Monday in May, the upper echelons of the fashion industry gather on the Upper East Side for the most opulent display of style, taste and creative excellence; more commonly known as the Met Gala.

For the uninitiated, the annual charity ball has been hosted for three-quarters of a century and raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. With an exclusive guest list that gathers aristocrats, designers, actors, musicians, athletes, business tycoons and titans in their respective industries, the show-stopping night has come to be known as the crème de la crème of the sartorial calendar.

The actual proceedings of the event are an enigma thanks to a strict no-phones policy—save for star-studded selfies captured in the ladies’ room—making it also one of the most secretive events across the East Coast.

But of course, the real standout of the evening is the array of looks that grace the red carpet. Serving as a proverbial runway, the granite front steps are elevated beyond disbelief, serving both a literal and figurative platform for the haute couture creations that exceed all expectations.

From Gigi Hadid’s bespoke Thom Browne gown that made history for taking over 13,500 hours to construct to Dua Lipa wearing a completely beguiling 100-carat Tiffany & Co. necklace that was reportedly worth over $100 million USD, these ensembles aren’t for the faint of heart.

And with the annual Met Gala just around the corner, we felt it pertinent to revisit the best Met Gala dresses of all time. Blood racing, heart pumping, jaw-dropping and gasp-inducing, consider this the ultimate guide to the most memorable looks of all time.

The 13 Best Met Gala Dresses of All Time

1. Rihanna

Style Notes: With the theme as expansive and loaded with historical connotations as “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” it was only fitting that Rihanna take not only the most subversive route, but also the most straightforward.

Quite literally taking the fashion set to church, the multi-hyphenate musician and makeup mogul opted for a custom silver Maison Margiela cape-and-dress concoction designed by John Galliano. The pièce de résistance, however, was her homage to papal regalia in the form of her Stephen Jones headpiece. Hers is one conclave we’d gladly join.

2. Princess Diana

Style Notes: Six months after Princess Diana enshrined her fashion legacy by turning up to the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party wearing the inimitable revenge dress designed by Christina Stambolian, the late Lady Spencer made a discreet public outing to deliver another iconic ensemble for the ages.

Blending in with the Manhattan evening, she arrived at the soiree in an understated midnight blue slip dress designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior. (Just one of the British enfant terrible’s many features on this list.) Her one and only appearance at the event eventually came to define her sartorial shift following her separation from King Charles III; elegant, unburdened and an expression of her true sense of self.

3. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

Style Notes: without an appearance from the perennially mysterious Olsen Twins. Mary Kate and Ashley have been fixtures at the soirée since they were 18 years old, making the event a true home-away-from-home for the secretive duo. However, it was at the 2017 iteration, which was themed “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons”, where The Row designers made their biggest impact.

Returning to their bohemian roots, the duo arrived in truly antique lace slip dresses that were reportedly over a century old. Dripping in pendant necklaces, fur-trimmed jackets and chunky accessories, the looks also honoured the Japanese designer’s autumn/winter 2005 collection “Broken Brides”, which was a subtle full-circle moment, given it also acknowledged the year they first started attending.

4. Zendaya

Style Notes: You can rest assured that whenever Zendaya has confirmed her RSVP, a sartorial feast is guaranteed. As one of the pioneers of method dressing, the 29-year-old takes her job as a guest incredibly seriously. However, when it came to her co-chairing the event in 2024, she exceeded all expectations.

Not only did she both open and close the red carpet with two separate but incredibly visionary looks, she delivered the most hauntingly beautiful interpretation of the theme “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”. With the dress code being "The Garden of Time," which was inspired by J.G. Ballard's 1962 short story exploring themes of beauty, decay, and the fleeting nature of time, she wore a custom gown by John Galliano for Maison Margiela that embodied the ephemeral and elegant source material. Quite euphoric.

5. Kate Moss

Style Notes: Another iconic co-chair came in the form of Kate Moss. Attending the 2009 iteration, which adhered to the theme “The Model as Muse”, she proved the power that supermodels wield as the ultimate shapeshifter. A true incarnation of Marc Jacobs' vision for the evening, she ditched her Camden-core leather jackets, skinny jeans and knee-high boots for a gold lame mini dress and matching Elizabeth Taylor-inspired turban.

6. Zoë Kravtiz

Style Notes: One of the symbols for Anthony Vaccarello’s sensually sophisticated visions for Saint Laurent, Zoë Kravitz was truly firing on all cylinders when she arrived at the 2021 Met Gala. Dressing to the theme “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”, the actor-turned-director’s phenomenally risqué wore what could only be described as a netted dress made from dazzling crystals that made the shape of itty-bitty YSL monograms. Because who needs a slip dress when you’re dripping in diamantes?

7. Lady Gaga

Style Notes: Why have one look when you can have four? That was the thesis question that Lady Gaga designed her 2019 Met Gala ensemble around, landing on a captivating Brandon Maxwell look that was part performance art, part moving installation and completely camp.

Beginning with a magenta overcoat that featured an elongated train and accompanied by five dancers, she later slipped into a gown before changing into a Madonna-esque column dress, before closing out her epic entrance in a sequin-encrusted black bralette, panties, fishnet tights and platform booties.

8. Lily-Rose Depp

Style Notes: As someone who was appointed as one of Karl Lagerfeld’s “choupettes” as a teenager, it should come as no surprise that Lily-Rose Depp has almost unlimited access to Chanel’s archives for her public appearances.

At the 2019 Met Gala, The Idol star embraced the French maison’s most vampy silhouettes in a little black dress adorned with gold chains and gilded camellias. The piece was also first worn by Christy Turlington on the luxuriate’s spring/summer 1992 runway and later featured on Penelope Cruz in Pedro Almodóvar’s 2009 romantic thriller Broken Embraces.

9. Naomi Campbell

Style Notes: From walking the runway alongside her fellow “supers” to George Michael’s “Freedom” for Versace’s autumn/winter 1991 show to wearing the Italian designer’s iconic chainmail butterfly dress to an event alongside Kate Moss in 1999, Naomi Campbell has had no shortage of iconic Versace moments in her lifetime. Of course, the most sentimental moment came when she attended the 1995 Met Gala—the first hosted by Anna Wintour—alongside the brand’s founder, Gianni.

10. Tyla

Style Notes: It’s quite a feat to make the Met Gala best dressed list on your first time attending. But that’s exactly what South African pop sensation Tyla did for the 2024 event. In the spirit of surrealism and trompe l'oeil, the singer arrived in a Balmain dress that evoked the sands of time.

The gown was a custom fit to her figure and ended up being so tight that she needed to be carried up the steps by a security guard. Made from a plaster moulding that combined mica and mirror powder, the look was a true standout and firmly established her place in fashion’s elite circles.

11. Kendall Jenner

Style Notes: Though she might be known for her signature stealth wealth way of dressing, Kendall Jenner delivered her most high-octane look when attending the 2019 Met Gala in custom Versace. Wearing Marty Supreme orange and a feathered gown that left a trail of plumage, the look has become incredibly iconic over the years for the way the showgirl-esque silhouette completely transformed the model turned tequila maven. Later that year, for her Halloween-themed birthday party, the waiters were dressed up in this exact costume, proving just how camp the look actually was.

12. Kim Kardashian

Style Notes: Of course, it wouldn’t be a guide to the most iconic Met Gala dresses if it didn’t include this Kim Kardashian look on the list. Love it or hate it, this infamous Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy design helped segue the reality star and aspiring lawyer into a new stratosphere of fame.

Whilst many were vicious in their lamenting over her attendance at the event in the first place, the majority were brutal in tearing down the dress itself. Earning comparisons to Robin Williams in Mrs Doubtfire and even the couches owned by grandmothers, it's safe to say that Skims founder herself had the last laugh, given how iconic this look has become in its own right.

13. Anne Hathaway

Style Notes: Bearing resemblance to both an Oscar statuette and Star Wars character C3PO, Anne Hathaway’s Ralph Lauren dress from the 2015 Met Gala just proves how ahead of the fashion curve she is. This is a fact we might all recognise now, but it wasn’t the case over a decade ago. But as her fictional grandmother in The Princess Diaries, played by the incredibly Dame Julie Andrews, said, a queen is never late, everyone else is simply early.

What Is The Theme of the 2026 Met Gala?

As announced by VOGUE, the theme of the 2026 Met Gala is "Costume Art". As always, the theme is derived from the Costume Institute's spring exhibition. According to the centre's head curator, Andrew Bolton, the theme addresses “the centrality of the dressed body in the museum’s vast collection".

The museum reports that the exhibition will "pair garments with artworks to reveal the inherent relationship between clothing and the body". It continues, "from the formal to the conceptual, the aesthetic to the political, the individual to the universal, the illustrative to the symbolic, and the playful to the profound, these pairings are organised into a series of thematic body types that reflect their pervasiveness and endurance through time and cultures."

The exhibition is sponsored by tech billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, Saint Laurent and Condé Nast.

What is the Dress Code for the 2026 Met Gala?

Accompanying the theme, guests are invited to adhere to a compulsory dress code that further elucidates the crux of the exhibition. Keeping things incredibly simple for the 2026 event, the dress code is "Fashion is Art". This can be translated however the guest sees fit and can run the gamut from gowns that literally transpose famous works onto fabric to dresses that embrace the Métiers d'Art (or arts and crafts) that underscores any ensemble.

When is the 2026 Met Gala?

Like clockwork, the 2026 Met Gala is set for Monday, May 4, 2026. As the event is held in New York City, those of us here in the United Kingdom should expect to see looks from the red carpet begin to trickle in during the early hours of Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Gird your loins!

If there's one night that consistently delivers jaw-dropping fashion, internet-breaking moments, and just the right amount of red carpet chaos, it's the Met Gala. Every year, I find myself scrolling for hours, dissecting every feather, train, and sheer illusion panel, in the name of answering one impossible question: What are the best Met Gala outfits of all time?

Let's be honest. "Best dressed Met Gala attendee of all time" isn't just a title. It's a debate. It's Cher in barely-there Bob Mackie, Princess Diana rewriting royal dress codes, and Rihanna ascending literal fashion-royalty status (multiple times, might I add). The Met Gala red carpet best dressed moments aren't just about clothes. They're about cultural shifts, risk-taking, and those rare looks that instantly make fashion history.

That's what makes this list so fun and so subjective. From the unapologetic excess of the '80s and the polished minimalism of the '90s to the experimental looks of the 2000s and the meme-worthy and theme-dominating looks of the 2010s and 2020s, the Met Gala has given us decades of style moments to obsess over. They might not be your cup of tea, but they sure are unforgettable.

Consider this your definitive, highly opinionated, fashion editor–approved walkthrough of the best dressed Met Gala of all time—era by era, look by iconic look. Let's get into it.

What is the Met Gala 2026 theme?

According to Vogue, the Met Gala 2026 theme is officially Costume Art. The theme ties directly to the Costume Institute's spring exhibition, which explores how clothing and the dressed body have been depicted across thousands of years of art history—pairing actual garments with paintings, sculptures, and more.

Now, when it comes to what we'll actually see on the steps, the dress code is where things get fun. For 2026, it's Fashion Is Art, a different theme that plays in conjunction with the Costume Institute's exhibition.

When is the Met Gala 2026?

Mark your calendar: The Met Gala 2026 is set for Monday, May 4, 2026. As always, it falls on the first Monday in May aka fashion's biggest night.

Where can I watch the Met Gala 2026 red carpet?

If your invite to the Met Gala 2026 got lost in the mail this year (same!), the next best thing is watching the Met Gala red carpet live. The official livestream will be hosted by Vogue and kicks off at 6 p.m. ET, streaming across its website, YouTube, and TikTok.

If you want the fashion-person commentary—the real reason we're all watching—we've got you. Who What Wear will be reacting in real time on our socials with best dressed breakdowns and all the moments that matter.

See the Best Met Gala Looks of All Time

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Welcome to The Who What Wear Podcast. Think of it as your direct line to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors, and tastemakers who are shaping the fashion-and-beauty world. Subscribe to The Who What Wear Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

With the 2026 Met Gala just around the corner, trend forecaster and content creator Mandy Lee is ready to see the 'Costume Art' theme come to life.

"You can interpret that theme in a million, billion different ways," Lee said. "There's so much to work with."

One of the exhibition themes that Lee is the most excited to see on the red carpet is pregnancy.

"I'm so thrilled that there's going to be a spotlight on that," Lee said.

For the latest episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, Lee shares her Met Gala predictions, how she made the jump from working in-house as a trend forecaster to amassing a following of over 600,000 on TikTok alone, and more.

For excerpts from their conversation, scroll below.

For anybody listening who hasn't heard about that, I would love if you could just give a little bit of a glimpse into how you started your career as an analyst and then now you are one of the internet's favorite fashion commentators?

I started my career working in planning and forecasting at sort of like a tech company in Boston and eventually moved into beauty.

I did the planning and forecasting for an in-house hair company here in Brooklyn.

I got laid off during the pandemic and it ended up being kind of the best thing that happened to me, because that very day, I downloaded TikTok.

I essentially just wasn't seeing the content that I wanted to see and talk about.

To be honest, I really missed analyzing trends. I really, really love that about my corporate job, so it felt like I was losing my identity when I got laid off.

I've been able to ride the wave all the way to now. I've been freelance for four years, which is something I'm so, so proud of.

I'm now signed with IMG as currently their only the fashion commentator.

I would just love to hear your takeaways from the last season in terms of what are some things that really stayed with you that kind of got you really excited from last fashion month?

For me, the overall theme of fall winter '26 was movement. With fabrics, with silhouettes.

The whole quiet luxury thing, I always hated it.

I feel like it was sort of the first instinct into recession core, but that doesn't work.

Just because you make basic clothes does not mean they're going to sell.

Unfortunately, I think Sabato's [De Sarno] Gucci was a good example of that.

Just because you're making more simple clothes does not give people an incentive just to buy them.

I think movement and texture were the huge takeaways for fall '26 and just kind of leaning more into what makes a brand stand out and really honing on different house codes and what makes a brand actually special—not just making the same white t-shirt with the logo on it.

That's not gonna fly.

What are some of your Met Gala things that you're predicting or looking forward to?

This year is costume art and I believe the dress code is art is fashion.

You can interpret that theme in a million, billion different ways. There's so much to work with.

Oh my god, I'm so excited.

A lot of the exhibition will focus on different bodies. Classical, reclaimed, pregnant, anatomical and abstract, where it's sort of the main pillars that they talked about for the exhibition, specifically.

As we know, the theme is always a little bit different than the exhibition.

To me, the exhibition leads the theme more often than not and when I get into my trend predictions, more often than not, I'll pick a few that actually end up in the exhibition.

We only get to see five ahead of time.

The one I'm most excited about I think is the pregnancy one. I'm so thrilled that there's going to be a spotlight on that.

I mean, Rihanna she went to the Met Gala. What? I think twice pregnant.

Comme [des Garçons] I hope to see a lot. I actually wore a Commes coat, because I knew bodies would be a thing and I was like, "Whoa, there's got to be some lumps and bumps here."

I think the anatomical body will be the most obvious for people. Like the Schiaparelli lung dress Bella [Hadid] wore.

Thom Browne and Schiaparelli, I think, own the carpet like almost every Met Gala. So I think we'll always have that to look forward to. Also Marc Jacobs last year? I think Marc Jacobs won the Met Gala last year. I was floored and blown away. Also Teyana Taylor will own. And I think another prediction is Olandria (Carthen) will make her debut.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

And that's a wrap on 2025! (Well, almost). As we're approaching the end of another wonderfully fabulous year for fashion, at Who What Wear UK, we've all been discussing and debating the biggest moments of the last 12 months. The good, the bad and the Labubus, there have been viral bootleg jeans, tour wardrobes, another Met Gala to decode as well as snippets into the new Devil Wears Prada film.

This year was one of, if not the, most exciting years for fashion in the last couple of decades. With 16 new creative director debuts in September fashion month for spring/summer 2026, the industry's musical chairs brought unprecedented change and excitement across the 'big four' fashion cities and beyond. Highlights included Matthieu Blazy's Chanel, Jonathan Anderson's Dior and Louise Trotter's Bottega Veneta.

And it wasn't just the fashion world that was particularly momentous and stylish: in music, both Lily Allen and Sabrina Carpenter have served look upon look for their press and concert tour for their respective albums, West End Girl and Short n' Sweet as well as Man's Best Friend. Of course, speaking about music and big moments, let's not forget Kendrick Lamar's performance at the Super Bowl halftime show. People were left talking about the cut of Lamar's jeans more than they wee his performance. Our verdict? Well, we've been wearing bootleg cut denim ever since, so go figure.

Before we get right into the 10 biggest moments in fashion of 2025, see how much you were paying attention this year, with our big fat fashion quiz of the year. Good luck!

Take the Big Fat Fashion Quiz of the Year

10 Biggest Fashion Moments of the Year

1. The Devil Wears Prada 2

We couldn't speak about fashion moments this year, without speaking The Devil Wears Prada 2. With the preview teasing just enough to wet our appetites, as well as that iconic moment they attended Milan Fashion Week in September in full character to film a scene from the upcoming film, it's safe to say we we're hooked.

2. A Very Brat Wedding

Singer Charli XCX married her finacé, George Daniels, who is the drummer in the 1975, in September in Sicily. After a very chic legal ceremony in London, the couple invited all their friends to the Mediterranean for a weekend wedding of Aperol Spritz and 365 partying. From Alex Consani to Gabbriette, Emily Ratajkowski and Amelia Dimoldenberg, every cool person you follow was there. Did we have FOMO? What do you think?

3. Labubu Mania

If you've got through this year without knowing what a Labubu is, then you may have taken your digital detox too far. Pop Mart's furry toy monster doll, with its very mischievous "ugly-cute" face became a huge hit not only with Gen Alpha and Gen Z, but millennials around the world. An example of the genius of 'blind box' items, not knowing which character you were buying when purchasing drove excitement, and as such, sales. Everyone from your niece to Dua Lipa, Marc Jacobs and Rhianna had a Labubu hanging off their handbag this year.

4. Sabrina Carpenter's Tourdrobe

Sabrina Carpenter's sensational album Man's Best Friend toured this year, and with it were some beyond fabulous looks from the pop princess. From pink bedazzled mini dresses to vintage-inspired custom corsets, the outfits she served were spoken about almost as much as the album itself. We're super fans, can you tell?

5. Matthieu Blazy's Chanel Debut

Of all the creative director debuts during fashion month in September, none impressed quite like Matthieu Blazy's first collection for Chanel. From feathered skirts to a contemporary take on the classic tweed suit, Blazy managed to keep the house's heritage whilst bringing into the future. It was met with much praise, and high anticipation for his future looks.

6. Kendrick Lamar's Superbowl Bootcut Jeans

Kendrick Lamar's appearance at the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show generated significant buzz for his fashion choices, particularly his jeans. He wore Celine Homme bootcut jeans, specifically the Marco Jeans in Dark Union Wash Denim by Hedi Slimane. They were a low-waisted, loose-fitting, bootcut (or flared) silhouette, thus proving the comeback of Y2K style, and became a major talking point online and reportedly sold out quickly after the performance.

7. Grace Wales Bonner Becomes Hermès Menswear Creative Director

Although as mentioned there were numerous new leaderships announced at luxury brands this year, none meant more to us, and the industry, than the announcement of Grace Wales Bonner's appointment at Hermès menswear, which had made her the first Black woman to lead design for a major luxury house. Succeeding Véronique Nichanian, her first collection will be January 2027, where she will bring her signature tailoring and craftsmanship to the French designer.

8. Jonathan Bailey's Feet

It's been a big year for Jonathan Bailey. He was named People Magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive' 2025, released multiple major movies, and went viral for his... wait for it... feet.
In June 2025, Bailey wore flip-flops to the Jurassic World Rebirth photocall in London, which caused much debate online. But these weren't just any flip-flops, they were The Row's Dune sandals, which were subsequently named the "hottest fashion item in the world" by the Lyst Index for Q2 2025.

9. Lily Allen's West End Girl Winter

Lily Allen has had quite a year. Her confessional break-up album West End Girl was released this autumn, and the world has been in a 'West End Girl Winter' ever since. A far cry from Brat Summer 2024, this vibe shift is all about female vulnerability and self-reflection. Of course, her outfits have been just as stuck in our minds as her songs.

10. The Met Ball Men

The first Monday in May, aka The Met Gala in New York City provides some of the best looks of the entire year. This year the theme was Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, and celebrated Black Dandyism. The surprise of the evening was that critics and the general consensus online, was that the best dressed were the male guests. From Colman Domingo to Bad Bunny and Lewis Hamilton, the men served!

It's a sweltering day in early July when I leave Who What Wear's New York office in Bryant Park to grab the Q train to Brooklyn. I walk into Times Square before dipping below the city, only to reemerge on the Manhattan Bridge, with views of the Lower East Side entering my vision first, followed by the East River, and eventually, Dumbo. Soon, the train goes back underground, and before long, dozens of other New Yorkers and I shuffle our way out onto Atlantic Avenue. When I look up, I see Barclays Center, home of the Liberty, New York's WNBA team. I make my way past "The Liberty Portraits: A Monument to the 2024 Champions," a public art exhibition by LaToya Ruby Frazier that was just finished outside of the arena, and head to the building's VIP entrance to meet the league's (and I'd argue New York's) best dressed roster.

Even if you live in New York and don't follow women's basketball, you've most likely seen members of the Liberty around town. Their faces are everywhere, on art exhibitions in Brooklyn, yes, but also back near my office in Times Square, at bus stops across the city, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and at the Met Gala. If you've somehow avoided them in all those ways, you still know about Ellie, the team's elephant mascot who's quickly become a celebrity herself. Not only did she walk the carpet at WSJ's Innovator Awards wearing a custom gown and carrying a Brandon Blackwood bag, but she was also honored with her own float at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Everybody in New York knows Ellie.

A lot of this popularity comes not just from the way the team shows up on the court night after night, game after game. They're champions for a reason, and basketball always comes first, but the Liberty are unique in the W in that style also plays a big role in the team's success. Given where they play, it sort of has to. "That's a part about being in New York, isn't it?" Sandy Brondello, head coach of the Liberty, tells me when I sit down with her after a scrimmage. I made the journey across the bridge to the Liberty's practice court, located in the bowels of Barclays Center, to dive into the team's ties to New York and how that relates to its stylish reputation, speaking with Brondello as well as two of her players, forward Breanna "Stewie" Stewart and center Jonquel "JJ" Jones. "New York is not just the 'Mecca of Basketball' of the whole world," Brondello says. "It's also the fashion mecca."

The entire team can sense it. "Here, you have fashion week, and you have basketball," Jones says, echoing her coach's sentiment. "You have people that know sports and know fashion and have been trendsetters in their own way in doing that." It's been easy to ingrain herself in that duality, embracing fashion and style practically right away when, in 2023, she arrived in New York from Connecticut, where she played for the Connecticut Sun. "Coming here, the fashion is expressive, so it's helped me to lean into that part of myself and my [style]," she says. "There's inspiration in so many different parts of the city—in the way that people carry themselves and in the art that you see all over." Simply being in New York drove Jones to approach fashion differently.

It was the same for Stewart, who, despite growing up in North Syracuse, New York, didn't develop her now-signature look until she moved to Brooklyn, after starting her WNBA career in Seattle with the Storm. "Me coming from Seattle and then moving to New York, the pressure [surrounding tunnel 'fits] was higher because now you're [here] and you want to embrace fashion and the culture behind it," she says. Prior to joining the Liberty, Stewart wasn't keen on venturing too far outside of her comfort zone sartorially. The city forced her to try things, allowing the two-time MVP to discover her boundaries and figure out what is and isn't for her. "Fashion is so fluid here," she says.

According to Jones, that fluidity is what makes the Liberty such a style-minded team. "We have so many people that can dress really well and have their own different types of style," she says. "If you put up a fashion board with different pieces and [aesthetics] on it, you could say, 'Oh, that's Tash,' or 'Oh, Stewie will wear that, or 'Jalen will wear this, or 'Sandy will wear that.'" Each of the dozen Liberty players has carved out their own lane when it comes to fashion. "We've found what works for us and what makes us feel expressive," Jones explains.

The team's willingness to lean into fashion has had a ripple effect, with Coach Brondello now following suit. Before she arrived in New York in 2022, the Australian former professional basketball player coached the Phoenix Mercury, where she says she dressed up all the time, but in dresses and high heels. "I'm so glad I don't have to wear that anymore," she tells me. When COVID hit, everyone in the league began dressing more casually. A year after taking the Liberty job, Stewart signed with the team, embarking on her own style journey and pushing her team to do the same. "She thought we should dress up at home," Brondello says of her All-Star forward. "It was fun." Getting dressed for games, especially in a new way that she felt comfortable in, created another way to bond with her players that was unrelated to basketball. "They like looking at my outfits," she says, "and usually, they rank them."

This season, Brondello teamed up with local New York fashion brand Kallmeyer for her courtside looks, working directly with founder Daniella Kallmeyer to put together outfits that feel like her. "I like dressing up, and I love fashion, but I'm not really sure what looks good on me," she says. Their friendship—which started when they were introduced by a mutual friend in the city, Rennae Stubbs, who is also a former athlete and current coach—means that Kallmeyer knows just how to dress Brondello so she feels her most authentic self, while still leveling up her home-game outfits. "I'm not wearing a dress or skirt on the sidelines," Brondello says, at least not anymore. She will wear a tie, though, as well as a Canadian tuxedo and a sporty, silk-organza bomber jacket. "In the end, I'm a basketball coach—I'm not a runway model—but I want to look stylish," she says. Kallmeyer's response? "I understood the assignment."

According to the designer, who has been attending and cheering on the Liberty for about three years, Brondello was the perfect partner for her brand. "Sandy was such a great blank slate for me because she is so vibrant, and she has such a warm personality, but she's a coach, so she's tough," she tells me one afternoon in early July after we both attended the same Liberty game. "Her excellence is very Kallmeyer." For Kallmeyer, working with the Liberty and Brondello specifically felt important. "It made me excited about celebrating and promoting something that has previously not been given the flowers it deserved," she says about the WNBA. "This is [what] I can do to give back to a community that's offering me something that I feel so enthusiastic about."

The entire Liberty organization shares this desire to give back, especially when it comes to New York. "It starts with our ownership," Brondello says. The team is owned by Joseph Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai, who also own the NBA's Brooklyn Nets. The powerhouse husband-and-wife duo brought the Liberty to Barclays Center in 2019 after years of playing in Westchester County and immediately began planting roots in Brooklyn, specifically, but also across all of New York's five boroughs. One way they did that was by investing in local small businesses, including fashion brands. "Where we can put [these small businesses] in the spotlight, [we can] continue to grow their organizations," Brondello says.

It's not just Kallmeyer. Other New York–based brands, like Tibi and Sergio Hudson, have also become mainstays among members of the Liberty, building long-lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships through fashion. Stewart credits her stylist, Courtney Mays, for introducing her to these local labels. "In New York, we're building a relationship with the art and fashion industries," Stewart says. "You see us going to New York Fashion Week. You see us at the Met Gala." This year, Sergio Hudson dressed four members of the Liberty organization, including Stewart, Jones, and their teammate Sabrina Ionescu, as well as Wu Tsai. Mays creative-directed the group ensemble, dressing Stewart in an all-white suit with a floor-sweeping coat, Ionescu in a black-and-white two-piece, and Jones in a suit with a croc-effect blazer, her hair done up in a towering twist masterminded by Kim Kimble, the hair genius behind some of Zendaya's and Beyoncé's most iconic coiffures.

"It's really cool to be able to see people embracing their craft," Stewart says of attending fashion events around New York, like the Met. "And for us," she continues, "[it's about] putting ourselves in a different lane than where we normally are."

By branching out and embracing what playing in New York offers, all the while dominating on the court and winning championship trophies, the Liberty have amassed a fan base unlike any the W or any sports league has ever seen. "[Liberty games are] inherently New York, inherently female, and inherently queer," Kallmeyer says. "The energy is so specific, and inclusive, and exciting." Because of that, they've become a meeting place for the fashion community. Designers, stylists, and editors want to sit courtside at games, preferring it even to that same coveted spot in the NBA. "It's like stepping into the heart of a major cultural moment," says Nicolette Mason, a New York–based fashion-and-beauty influencer who doubles as a devoted Liberty fan. Stylish attendees treat home games like fashion events, showing up in meticulously crafted ensembles. The tunnel at Barclays Center is not unlike a runway show, featuring head-to-toe looks by local New York City brands and luxury fashion houses alike, from Thom Browne to Marni, as well as bags by Balenciaga, Dior, Bottega Veneta, and Louis Vuitton.

"There's a natural synergy between fashion and this team," says Mason. Clearly, I'm not the only one who sees the Liberty as fashion's sports team, further proven by the fact that the team has sponsors like Off-White making them custom letterman jackets and Away giving out specially designed bags at games. As someone who straddles the two worlds, Mason's witnessed the way both fashion and the WNBA have embraced each other, "investing in personal style as an extension of identity and expression," she says. "It's not just aesthetic; it's ethos." Like New York as a whole, fashion is an essential part of the Liberty's success.

Yes, people pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to witness great players do what they do best—that is, play basketball. But they also travel from all around the city to the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush Avenue for the environment inside Barclays when there's a Liberty home game. Fans take the Q train just like I did to see what their favorite players wear to boost their confidence before a big game. They ride the B41 bus to meet Ellie and find out what custom Telfar bag or pair of Nikes she's wearing to cheer on her team. And they compete for a yellow cab for a chance at a photo on the Liberty's signature gray, black, and seafoam-green court, usually in an outfit that matches the team's NYC-themed color scheme. "It's like Studio 54," says Kallmeyer. For fashion people, including the Liberty's players, coaches, and fans, "it's the place to be."

Welcome to Drugstore Heroes, a monthly series in which we spotlight the often-overlooked and under-hyped drugstore beauty products that industry experts count on. From editors to content creators and even celebs, we’re asking tastemakers to share their top recommendations for affordable yet effective products. Get ready to see the best of drugstore beauty, period.

I don't know about you, but when I think of the Met Gala, three words come to mind: excess, opulence, and luxury. It is, after all, fashion's biggest night, and the guest list includes the who's who of sports, music, and entertainment—all of whom collaborate with top designers and beauty experts for their highly anticipated red carpet appearances. (Plus, a single ticket to the annual event reportedly costs $75K.) So, yeah, I wouldn't normally look to it for budget-friendly beauty inspo.

However, this year, Gigi Hadid had me eating my words. She attended the event wearing a gold Miu Miu halter dress, complemented by a vintage-inspired hairstyle and a classic, rosy makeup look. The latter sure looked like a million bucks, but it was created entirely with drugstore makeup products. In fact, the most expensive product clocked in at a mere $15. (If that's not the epitome of high-low, I don't know what is.)

It seems like the high-low combo was the theme of the night for Hadid. In a Vogue interview with Emma Chamberlain, Hadid revealed her relatable red carpet prep. "I woke up. I was with my man. We had a chill morning, some laughs, and then I went to my house. I had like an hour by myself, then took a shower, had my fitting, had chicken fingers and fries, then got into glam." Celebs really are just like us, aren't they?

In a press release, celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta revealed the inspiration for Hadid's Met Gala makeup look. "For Gigi, I really wanted to give her that bronzy, fresh glam. Something that feels super effortless, like she just got back from a vacation. It’s all about enhancing her natural features, keeping the skin radiant and glossy, and adding that soft warmth to bring everything to life. I love when makeup looks like it’s part of you. Fresh, glowy, and confident."

Ta used nine makeup products in total, all from Maybelline New York. Hadid is a longtime brand ambassador for Maybelline, so I wasn't shocked to find out she wore some of the brand's products on the red carpet. However, I was surprised she exclusively wore the brand's products. As I said, the Met Gala is synonymous with luxury, so I figured there'd be at least one or two high-end makeup products thrown into the mix. Nope. The most expensive item was only $15. Ahead, see all nine exact products.

The Exact Makeup Products Gigi Hadid Wore to the 2025 Met Gala

All in all, Hadid's budget-friendly Met Gala makeup look cost only $104 to create.

Welcome to The Who What Wear Podcast. Think of it as your direct line to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors, and tastemakers who are shaping the fashion-and-beauty world. Subscribe to The Who What Wear Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Last night, fashion designers, models, actors, athletes, and more descended on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for the fashion industry’s equivalent of the Super Bowl: the Met Gala.

From Rihanna’s showstopping look to Colman Domingo’s blue cape on that floral carpet, there were so many standout moments.

Who What Wear Shopping Director Bobby Schuessler sat down with Editorial Director Lauren Eggertsen and senior fashion and social media editor Tara Gonzalez to dig into everything from the night’s most memorable looks to the moments they think will go viral from the 2025 Met Gala.

In this roundtable episode, our editors share the looks they were most surprised by, their favorites of the night, and so much more.

For excerpts from their conversation, scroll below.

Bobby Schuessler: We are sitting down moments after the Met Gala arrivals ended. When I say moments, Rihanna walked three minutes ago, and we are here recording this, and she looked incredible. It was worth the wait. Right off the bat, what are your thoughts?

Lauren Eggertsen: For anyone who maybe doesn't know how it works to cover the Met Gala, we are always waiting on Rihanna and rightfully so. The Met isn't over until she has appeared.

There was definitely a lot of hype circulating her arrival. She was arriving at the hotel in her fresh-off-the-fall-winter-25-runway Miu Miu look with her little hat and gray sweater and skirt.

We didn't want to speculate, but we were like, “Is she pregnant? Is she not pregnant? What's happening?”

We kind of saw a baby bump there and so that made her arrival just that much sweeter and much more anticipated, so it was very much worth it.

Tara Gonzalez: I also feel like it is so Rihanna of her to have two looks, you know, to have that really great Miu Miu look on the way to the hotel to then put on her actual look, which was amazing.

Of course, she would give us two looks so she can be as late as she wants, in my opinion. It's always worth drama, always.

BS: Who do you think had the most creative take? Did anybody else completely surprise you?

TG: I do feel like I was a little bit surprised by Gigi Hadid's look. The story behind it I thought was actually really interesting because she was wearing Miu Miu. It was a gold gown.

I feel like when I originally saw it really quickly, I was like, “Okay, I don't know how that's tying into the theme.”

In the interview, she got into how she was inspired by Josephine Baker, who was the first Black actress to star in a motion picture in the 1950s, and it was a specific reference to a gold dress that she had worn and that was made by her dress maker, Zelda [Wynn Valdes]. Basically [Hadid] and her friend Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, who is also a stylist, wanted to pay homage to this Black dressmaker who also had the first Black-owned shop on Broadway in Washington Heights forever ago.

That was a really intricate story with all of these layers and was actually really thoughtful in a way that I think sometimes when you see a really beautiful, sparkly gown on the Met Gala red carpet, you're like, “Oh, they're just wearing a pretty gown.”

I thought that that was really cool to see and hear about.

LE: I totally agree. I had the same initial reaction, and that's why, especially with this theme, it was really important for us to listen to the inspiration and the stories behind a lot of the looks because that's where the magic and the intentionality is.

I think, for me, Jodie Turner-Smith and her Burberry look.

I just had imagined so many moments of that with a big coat with a train that almost feels like a huge gown, but it's very tailored and suiting and has all of those elements into it.

I actually really loved Hunter Schafer's Prada look. We didn't see a lot of women, specifically, take the very on-the-nose suiting route with its true three-piece suit.

She had the little hat, she had a turtleneck, she had a button-up, she had a cummerbund with buttons. She had the vest, she had the jacket.

It was all of it, and she looked gorgeous. She's never looked more beautiful.

BS: Who created some of the most memorable moments of the night? What's gonna go viral?

LE: For me, visually and just the meaning behind Colman Domingo's look. The first look when he had the blue cape on with all the embroidery. I think that’s just something we'll be referencing for a really long time.

His homage to André Leon Talley with the cape moment and then him shedding it and revealing this beautiful, very, very ornate mixed print—like contrast prints black and white—the whole suiting moment was just so amazing.

I already thought the cape look was the look, and I was blown away by that. I think having that duality was really exciting.

TG: I also feel like I can see a future meme happening and maybe it's a local New York meme, but Spike Lee, he was wearing a Knicks hat.

I'm from New York, so I only care about the Knicks or the Mets doing anything, and the Knicks are playing a game today.

I just thought it was funny that Spike Lee, of course, he's the biggest Knicks fan. I love that he showed up wearing a Knicks hat.

There's actually a Knicks hat also in the Met exhibit, so it makes sense.

I thought it was just really fun to see. Of course, he's on the red carpet, wearing this incredible outfit, but he's like, “I need to represent my team.” I kind of love that. I love the passion there.

Another fun thing that I think maybe people will dig into later is Teyana Taylor.

Her Marc Jacobs look was created in collaboration with Ruth E. Carter, who is a legendary costume designer, who worked on a bunch of Spike Lee movies and made some of the most incredible looks ever in movies.

Also, her train at the bottom said “Harlem Rose” and she's from Harlem. Also, she has a really good song from 2018 called “Rose in Harlem,” so maybe that song will also have a resurgence. It should. It's a bop.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

The Met Gala has long been fashion's most anticipated red carpet. Still, in 2025, a shift toward refined tailoring and subtle statements marked a departure from the over-the-top extravagance we've come to expect. As someone who's covered countless fashion events, nothing has brought me more joy than what was inspired by the Superfine: Tailoring Black Style theme. It ushered in a refreshing "less is more" aesthetic that still managed to captivate the cultural conversation, leaving room for extravagance and dandyism but with a sharp attention towards tailoring as well. To decode what this means for the fashion industry at large, I turned to Instagram's favorite trend analyst, @databutmakeitfashion.

With over half a million followers hanging on her every percentage and getting an incredibly relatable fashion-girl meme along the way, @databutmakeitfashion has quickly risen to become the digital authority on what matters in the fashion ecosystem, with Instagram being her main platform. Her unfiltered, real-time analysis cuts through the noise of traditional fashion coverage and offers insights that resonate with the facts (and incredibly accurate data points) behind the trend cycle.

In our conversation following fashion's biggest night, she revealed why one particular designer stood out as the undisputed winner of the Met Gala red carpet, noted on some of her favorite looks, and let us know the takeaways that can't be missed this season. Below, discover everything you need to know if you want to analyze the Met Gala red carpet with us.

Here we go, another Met Gala in the books. What are your initial thoughts of the evening?

I thoroughly enjoyed this carpet. It was a lot more cohesive than previous years. What I thought was a bit interesting was that there were some more "traditional extravagant looks," such as Diana Ross's look, which was fantastic and larger than life, or Doja Cat was pretty extravagant as well. But amongst the other looks, it was more of a "less is more" vibe than it's been in Met Galas of years past.

I saw a lot of online discourse of people arguing over Zendaya's look because it was really a "less is more" moment. For a look to be important at the Met Gala, does it need to be larger than life? To me, it was on-theme, showing off the artistry of the house and the brand, which I found interesting because people see the Met Gala as the place to go all out. The theme Camp: Notes on Fashion in 2019 gave us the expectation that if people don't dress in an over-the-top gown, they didn't get it right. So, I like how the Met this year was maybe a little bit more balanced, just kind of showing off the artistry of brands and doing really nice, more subtle, but still very pointed and important messages through clothing. I saw some discourse saying, "Is this a recession indicator?" And I don't even want to get into that. I thought it was great.

I actually kind of want to dig into that "recession indicator" discourse. Is there validity in the argument that these minimalist, "less is more" approaches to such a big red carpet could be perceived as a sign of economic instability?

I don't think it's a recession indicator at all. If anything, I think it's a very appropriate response to the theme in question and to the political climate that we live in. I love a good "less is more" moment. I actually think that Zendaya's look was my favorite. You know how every year there are all these comparisons of the Met to things like The Hunger Games? Critics say, "These are such extravagant displays of wealth," but I appreciate that it is a fundraiser for the arts. There's a lot of defunding that's happening in arts programs right now.

A big conversation every year after the Met Gala red carpet is revealed is whether or not people correctly paid homage to the theme and how they honor it. Tell me if you think people hit the mark with the theme of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.

The theme was approached better than it has been in previous years. I really liked seeing a lot of the emphasis on the tailoring and how you can have a minimalistic look, but the tailoring is what makes it. Zendaya's look again makes for the perfect example. It goes back to the roots of how a lot of people start in fashion as tailors, and that's where fashion comes from in the first place. Janelle Monáe was fabulous. This night was Thom Browne's moment.

What's nice about the Met Gala is that you always see initial reactions when celebs walk down the carpet, but a lot of looks that are paying homage to something don't make their message obvious at first glance. I've seen a lot of discourse on how the Miu Miu girls were wearing homages to historical Black female figures, contradicting initial statements when they walked down the carpet, and people sighed, saying, "Oh, Gigi's not on-theme."

Which designer do you think walked away as a name to know from this red carpet?

Definitely Thom Browne. The brand is not as well-known as other big names on this carpet, but this year, Browne really broke into the masses and is becoming a household name because of the incredible stunts they pull at the Met Gala. It's Thom Browne's time to shine.

Thom Browne is just so genius with the people they choose to wear Thom Browne on the red carpet. People appreciate that Browne brings a little bit of the magic back to fashion, in a way that you know how people miss or always talk about how they miss the Alexander McQueen runways and how artistic they were, and how he would push the envelope. I feel kind of the closest thing we have to that right now is Daniel Roseberry at Schiaparelli, and then, of course, Thom Browne.

How do you think the Met Gala influences the the fashion industry differently than other major red carpet events or fashion week even?

It's tough because other red carpet events don't capture as wide an audience. All eyes are on the Met Gala carpet, even with how many people watched my Instagram stories last night versus Oscars night or any other night of the year. It really is the Super Bowl of fashion.

That's why it's great for brands such as Thom Browne, that maybe aren't as widely known as Louis Vuitton, to really put a lot of their eggs in the Met Gala basket because they get so much exposure. It definitely has a big influence on what people talk about and what people reference year after year. I still see a lot of people reference Rihanna dressed as the pope for the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination Met Gala. I see Blake Lively's look all the time coming up again and again, and Emily Ratajkowski's look for Camp. This is the stage for fashion moments that people will reference years from years and years.

Were there any trends that you saw last night that you think are going to pop up in the data in the coming months?

A lot of hats. Definitely the hats. It was interesting how Zendaya's hat kind of covered half her face, and then Rihanna as well, usually at a red carpet event people want to show off the glam. That's something that will stick.

How do you think growth in social media platforms like Instagram have impacted the Met Gala fashion?

Oh, so much. It's a free-for-all. You no longer need to have a publicist present on the steps or have a full content team to get your brand out there, to get your look out there. You just have, and you saw it in the Mark Hotel penthouse yesterday—a ton of people on their laptops and on their phones, posting to their audiences that are tuned in, and they can post about whatever they want.

It democratizes what you can see; instead of having to only refresh what Vogue.com is saying or what a publication is saying, you just have so many more opinions out there. Even this morning at 7 a.m., I was on social media and looked up "Janelle Monàe Met Gala," and there were already dozens of videos analyzing their look, which I thought was very interesting. So you just get so much more access to content, to designers, to celebrities, and then, of course, to people's opinions, that you just would not have that without social media, which I think is really interesting.

Why should people value the voices of creators on Instagram when we have traditional press?

There is something nice about not needing any formal approval before you post something, because you can. I Deserve Couture is fabulous and very well-liked because of how blatantly and openly he expresses his opinion. Sometimes that's a very positive opinion, and sometimes, he has his critiques as well, which I think is interesting because if you're a commentator and you have to go through a more formal approval process or if you work for a publication that receives funding from certain brands, maybe you do have a little bit of guardrails in what you can say. With a lot of social media commentators being independent, it is really nice sometimes to just hear people's unfiltered thoughts about what people are wearing.

It's also nice because you can get stuff out in real time. You don't have to build a webpage; you don't have to do an official press release. It's cool to be able to post as things happen.

Lastly, do you want to leave us with your favorite look of the evening?

I just love everything Bad Bunny does. He is putting his culture first and foremost, and adding a little bit of resistance. I saw a creator say how much they love that whenever Bad Bunny speaks to people, even at an event as big as the Met Gala Carpet, he will speak to them in Spanish. Even if he's not sure if the person speaks Spanish, in the same way that people just speak English to him. That's his whole thing, and this Prada look sealed the deal.

If you liked this year's theme, you'll want to shop these pieces:

I need not remind you that yesterday was the first Monday of May, when the megastars of the world congregated on New York City’s Upper East Side to attend the annual Met Gala. The 2025 theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, shone a spotlight on Black dandyism and drew out fashion industry nobility for a night of pinstriped suits, glitzy after-party looks, and boundless beauty inspiration. But the one detail I kept zooming in on all night? The manicures on this superfinely tailored bunch, and, boy, did they not disappoint.

While some nails took a backseat to the stellar beauty looks the stars were delivering (surprise French bobs! Doechii’s Louis Vuitton face stamp! So many celebs in kiss curls!), others made striking statements. From Lizzo’s showstopping tuxedo daggers and Doja Cat’s gold chrome stiletto tips to Hailey Bieber’s understated fairy dust nails, the stars certainly fed my fresh nail addiction last night.

With the creativity flowing so freely, I had no choice but to clog up my camera roll with inspo pics. Below, the best celebrity manicure looks of the night, and the products you can shop to achieve your iteration.

Hailey Bieber’s Fairy Dust Mani

Hailey Bieber’s understated Met Gala manicure is practically the nail equivalent of Sabrina Carpenter’s fairy dust holiday makeup and is going straight onto my summer mani mood board. Celebrity manicurist Dawn Sterling mixed OPI gel polishes to get her look, but you can replicate it by layering Funny Bunny and Put It in Neutral before sealing it with a topcoat.

Suki Waterhouse’s Sheer Nude Nails

I’m dreaming about the “OMG” songstress’s milky tan tips, which she achieved thanks to Kiss’ Bare But Better press-ons in Nude Drama. “Always chic and extremely busy, Suki wanted perfectly natural-looking nails to complement her all black Michael Kors look for the Met Gala, but also offering the ability to match her numerous appearances with her hectic NY schedule,” celebrity manicurist Casey Herman said in a press release.

Victoria Ceretti’s Licorice French Tips

Who What Wear’s Senior Beauty Editor Jamie Schneider called the dark tip trend a while ago, but model Victoria Ceretti just made it Met Gala–official. This subtly edgy set is a moody deviation from the classic French, and I can’t wait to re-create it during my next salon sesh.

Doechii’s Milky Square Mani

Alert the authorities: Square-shaped nails are officially back, per the Swamp Princess. Celebrity manicurist Rachel Sun painted Doechii a soapy white canvas for her wide, C-curved tips, which complemented her patchwork-patterned Louis Vuitton ensemble.

Jenna Ortega’s Classic Square Set

Okay, so, are almond nails out? The Wednesday star also opted for classic square nails, finishing off the ends with thick, white French tips that can take her from event to event. “Classic French tips never go out of style,” her manicurist Thuy Nguyen said in a press release. “[They’re] clean, chic, and effortlessly elegant.”

Lupita Nyong’o’s Watery Blue Mani

Dare I declare this the manicure of the summer? Nyong’o’s robin's egg blue shade is flecked with metallic polish, giving it a water-like movement that feels perfect for a beach vacation.

Sabrina Carpenter’s Threadbare Tips

True to the theme down to her fingertips, Sabrina Carpenter’s look was tied together by this sheer pink set. It features threads from the star’s custom Louis Vuitton outfit, according to celebrity manicurist Zola Ganzorigt.

Doja Cat’s Gold Chrome Claws

To finish her ’80s-inspired look, Doja Cat’s manicurist Saccia Livingston created an opulent, soft gold set of claws for the singer to wear on the red carpet. She kept things from veering too yellow by using a lavender OPI polish topped with gold chrome dust to neutralize the color.

Lizzo’s Tuxedo Tips

Though I was first entranced by her icy blonde curls, Lizzo’s nails are what stole a sharp breath from me. What manicurist Eri Ishizu calls a “modern sculptural French manicure,” I think, looks exactly like a dapper suit with a bow tie (aka entirely on-theme).

Tyla’s Sparkly Pinstriped Set

The “Water” singer took the pinstriped memo seriously, working with celebrity nail artist Coca Michelle to stitch sparkling stripes down the star’s fingertips. Her French tips look as though they’ve been dipped in tiny crystals, keeping things flashy for the photographers’ lenses.

Cynthia Erivo’s Wearable (Nail) Art

I’ve saved the best for last. Cynthia Erivo’s heavily embellished acrylics look more like jewelry than nail extensions, with larger-than-life 3D embellishments on nearly every fingertip—each adorned in black, white, and red stripes. (Oh, and more crystals than you can count.)

Imaan Hammam is no stranger to the Met Gala. The Dutch supermodel first made her debut on the carpet in 2018 but, since then, she's leveled up, if we do say so ourselves.

This year's first Monday in May was all about celebrating the Metropolian Museum of Art's spring 2025 exhibition—Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, an exploration of The Black Dandy, aided written about by author Monica L Miller in her book, "Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity." Aligned with the exhibition, the dress code for the blue carpet was "Tailored for You," a nod to the impeccable tailoring Black men and women have carried with them for eons.

Hammam, dressed in a sublime Madga Butrym white suit, knew this year was one her favorites. The model, who was styled by Imruh Asha, fashion director of Dazed, wrote on Instagram that her look and glam, courtesy of Estée Lauder, was absolutely magical. Given Hammam ended up on several best-dressed lists, we're inclined to agree. Hammam graciously down her evening minute-by-minute and shared all of the details you might have missed in her paparazzi shots. Below, read her complete Met Gala 2025 get-ready-with-me diary, exclusively shared with Who What Wear.

"The First Monday in May is always so special but this one particularly, this years theme was allowing for so much creativity and inspiration. It focused on Black Dandyism and it’s big influence on fashion."

"I went with Polish Designer Madga Butrym. I wore a perfectly tailored white suit."

"Just a few must have items for the day of."

"The theme allowed us to play around with different prints and colors. I chose a polka dot print for my tie."

"Jewels at the ready!"

"Going to the Met Gala is simply not possible without my amazing team. Imruh Asha was my stylist for the night, Hos Hounkpatin on hair, Naima Bremer on makeup and Nia from my social team. Love you guys!"

"A classic chignon is the hair we went with last night and we topped it off with a feather headpiece."

"Patterns on patterns!"

“My very special date for the night: Stephane de La Faverie, CEO of the Estee Lauder Companies.”

"All ready to go."

"Finishing touches before heading out."

"My cane wrapped my entire look together."

"My shoes were these crystal adorned Louboutin Margiela collab heels."

"And alas, we made it to the blue carpet for the 2025 Met Gala, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.'"

If there's one thing that's a safe bet in 2025, it's that if Kendall Jenner is on a guest list, she's going to show up wearing something elegant, which includes the Met Gala. Case in point? Jenner graced the flowered carpet on the steps of The Met wearing a custom Torishéju suit. The gray set included a long fluted skirt and a matching blazer worn as a top. And for the after-parties, Jenner opted for a Mugler look that was far more conservative than the typical Met Gala after-party looks. It included a black knee-length skirt, a structured long-sleeve top, and pumps. And lo and behold, the tops she wore for both the red carpet and after parties represented the same pretty, flattering 2025 trend.

That trend is peplum tops, specifically structured ones as opposed to the flowy, boho ones that harken back to the early 2000s. Jenner's peplums were far more elegant and timeless, and it's easy to see why this trend has stuck around for several seasons now. I have a hunch it will continue to do so.

Keep scrolling to see Kendall Jenner's Met Gala red carpet and after-party looks, and shop pretty, structured, peplum tops for your own elegant outfits.

WEARING: Torishéju custom suit; Chopard jewelry

WEARING: Mugler outfit; Jimmy Choo shoes

Shop Pretty Peplum Tops

Sabrina Carpenter has never been one to play it safe, using fashion as a bold expression of confidence and individuality. That fearless style was front and center at the 2025 Met Gala. Not just in her buzzworthy, pantsless red carpet look, but also in her refreshingly unconventional after-party outfit.

While many stars, including Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, opted for sleek minidresses, Carpenter took a more unexpected yet entirely on-theme approach: a dramatic fur coat layered over a crisp button-down, sharp tie, Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag, platform heels, and wide-leg trousers. Her decision to spotlight wide-leg pants—a staple in nearly every fashion person’s closet, usually worn with sneakers or flats—stood out in all the right ways. She transformed the familiar silhouette into something elevated and Met-worthy, proving that with the right styling, everyday pieces can feel sophisticated, fresh, and cool.

Her look captured the vibe of 2025: polished without trying too hard, with a subtle nod to gender-fluid tailoring. If her outfit has you reconsidering your own wide-leg lineup, keep scrolling—we’ve rounded up the internet’s best pairs worth adding to your wardrobe.

Sabrina Carpenter's 2025 Met Gala After-Party Look

WHO: Sabrina Carpenter

WEAR: Louis Vuitton bag

STYLED BY: Jared Ellner

Shop the Best Wide-Leg Trousers