Main points
- At the 2026 Met Gala, stars such as Madonna, Rihanna, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and others presented bright and unusual looks inspired by the theme “The Art of Costume”.
- Designers used a variety of materials and elements of art, creating outfits that resemble works of painting, sculpture, and architecture.
Anok Yai and Hailey Bieber / Photo Getty images / Collage of Channel 24
One of the most anticipated and influential events in the fashion world, the Met Gala, has finally arrived in New York. Every year, it brings together the most famous representatives of the industry: actors, musicians, designers, athletes and key cultural figures.
This year, the theme of the event was Costume Art, so designers and stylists created the images of the stars, inspired by various types of art – from painting and sculpture to architecture and ceramics. More about the brightest outfits of the Met Gala-2026 – further in the material of Channel 24.
One of the most theatrical appearances of the evening was that of Madonna . She appeared in an all-black look by Saint Laurent. This was reported by the fashion magazine Women's Wear Daily. The dress was complemented by an unusual hat in the shape of a ship and a long veil, which was carried by seven women in multi-colored lace dresses with white veils over their eyes. The singer's image was completed by platform boots, gloves and a massive necklace. Interestingly, instead of her usual blonde, Madonna chose dark, almost black hair, which added gothic drama to the look.
Madonna at the Met Gala-2026 / Screenshots from Instagram stories
Rihanna presented another unconventional look. The artist wore a metallic dress decorated with jewels from the Maison Margiela Artisanal Fall/Winter 2025 collection, created by Glenn Martens. The dress was practically “sculpted” by hand as a work of art, using silk and recycled metal threads. The look was complemented by an Art Deco spiral headdress.
Joining Rihanna at the event was A$AP Rocky, who opted for a pink Chanel wool robe with black satin details and a camellia flower with feathers. The rapper completed his look with black pants and a white shirt.
Beyonce's appearance was no less impressive. She wore a tight-fitting nude dress with a diamond “skeleton” pattern by Olivier Rousteing. The look was complemented by a long coat with feathers, which turned into a huge train – it was helped by five people to carry it. The look was completed by a crown in the shape of a sun and massive earrings.
Kim Kardashian also showed off a bold conceptual look. The model appeared on the red carpet of the 2026 Met Gala in a metallic orange bodysuit created by British artist Allen Jones and a leather skirt with an open front. For its manufacture, she turned to craftsmen Patrick Whitaker and Kier Malem of the Whitaker Malem studio.
Famous American model Anok Yai chose a long black Balenciaga dress with a hooded cape, a lush train and long gloves. The accents of this outfit were diamond jewelry, but the main attention was drawn to her golden-bronze makeup, which made her literally look like a statue, as Complex wrote.
Anok Yai at the Met Gala 2026 / Screenshots from Instagram stories
Met Gala 2026 special correspondent Emma Chamberlain wore a Mugler gown hand-painted by Chicago artist Anna Deller-Yee. It took 40 hours to create and then four days to dry.
Hailey Bieber went for a more subdued but still striking look. She chose a Saint Laurent dress with a sculptural 24-karat gold corset and a blue silk skirt made of lightweight chiffon. The outfit was complemented by a translucent cape that gently fell from the shoulders. Hailey Bieber's look refers to Saint Laurent's 1969 couture collection, created in collaboration with French artist and sculptor Claude Lalanne.
And an even more classic and at the same time bright look was worn by actress Nicole Kidman. She shone in a spectacular red dress, embroidered with sequins, with feathers around the hips and on the cuffs. The masters of the Chanel atelier worked on the creation of the dress for about 800 hours. The image for the actress was thought up by stylist Jason Bolden, as reported by the fashion publication Vogue.
What is known about the Met Gala?
This is an annual charity ball, traditionally held on the first Monday in May in New York. It is considered one of the main fashion events of the year, during which funds are raised for the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The event combines fashion, art and pop culture: stars appear in images that correspond to the theme of the exhibition.