The Met Gala is renowned for its extravagant themes and the tendency of celebrities to creatively interpret the dress code.
However, the 2026 event saw a remarkable lineup of stars who embraced the “Fashion Is Art” theme, drawing from iconic masterpieces around the world.
At the forefront was Kylie Jenner, who made a statement in a Schiaparelli ensemble. Her skin-tone bodysuit, featuring faux nipples, was elegantly accentuated by a cream satin gown artfully gathered at the hips.
Jenner’s ensemble was one of the night’s highlights, though its artistic inspiration wasn’t immediately apparent. Fans later recognized the nod to Alexandros of Antioch’s renowned Venus de Milo sculpture.
In contrast, Cardi B stirred social media conversation with her unconventional Marc Jacobs creation, likened by many to a colon.
The rapper explained to reporters that her voluminous sheer dress, layered with black lace, was actually a tribute to “The Doll” by Hans Bellmer, a collection of photographs exploring the surreal distortion of the female form.
Kylie Jenner’s Schiaparelli gown a the 2026 Met Gala was inspired by Alexandros of Antioch’s famous Venus de Milo sculpture
Cardi B was ripped on social media over her bizarre Marc Jacobs gown. The rapper told reporters that her giant sheer Marc Jacobs dress was inspired by The Doll by Hans Bellmer
Madonna also chose a lesser known artwork to reference. The superstar took over the blue carpet in her look from Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello, which evoked a painting by British-Mexican surrealist painter Leonora Carrington titled The Temptation of Saint Anthony.
The gothic black lace dress was accessorised with a striking ship headpiece and she carried a gold horn, a direct copy of the woman depicted in Carrington’s piece.
Heidi Klum leaned all the way into the theme, arriving in a look that could only be described as a living statue.
The Mike Marino costume was most reminiscent of Raffaelle Monti‘s 1847 Vestal Virgin marble.
Kim Kardashian put on a leggy display in an orange metallic bodysuit by British artist Allen Jones and Whitaker Malem that had a custom-molded breast plate on the front.
Leather material fell down behind her and contained hues of both tan and vibrant orange.
The outfit took inspiration from Jones’ poster for the 1975 French erotic film Maîtresse and was controversial in both the U.S. and U.K. upon its release.
Kim’s sister Kendall Jenner’s GapStudio look was inspired by Winged Victory of Samothrace, the second-century Greek statue of the goddess of victory that currently takes pride of place in the Louvre.
Emma Chamberlain was inspired by both famous works of art and her personal connection to painting.
Kendall Jenner’s GapStudio look was inspired by Winged Victory of Samothrace
Madonna took over the blue carpet in her look from Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello which evoked a painting by British-Mexican surrealist painter Leonora Carrington titled The Temptation of Saint Anthony
Kim Kardashian’s inspiration for her sculpted fembot look that she donned at the 2026 Met Gala has been revealed
Heidi Klum leaned all the way into the theme, arriving in a look that could only be described as a living statue
The star wowed in a custom Mugler by Miguel Castro Freitas dress hand painted by artist Anna Deller-Yee.
The colourful gown’s print was inspired by works by Van Gogh and Munch, but Emma gushed that her dad’s work as an oil and watercolour painter also played its part in her look’s creation.
Rachel Zegler made a statement about her controversial career trajectory with her 2026 Met Gala ensemble, as well as sticking to the Fashion is Art dress code.
The Snow White actress made her third appearance at the annual event in a stunning Atelier Prabal Gurung gown.
Rachel Zegler made a statement about her controversial career trajectory with her Atelier Prabal Gurung gown, as well as sticking to the Fashion is Art dress code
Emma Chamberlain was inspired by both famous works of art and her personal connection to painting
The pearl silk dress was accessorised with a Jennifer Behr custom silk mask.
Rachel, 25, later confirmed that the blindfold referenced Paul Delaroche’s famous 1833 painting The Execution of Lady Jane Grey, who was beheaded in 1554 for high treason.
Fans applauded the reference, musing that Rachel’s own experience with ‘scapegoating’ and ‘cancel culture’ could be linked back to the painting’s subject.
‘rachel zegler referencing the execution of lady jane grey who was wrongfully scapegoated and executed when she was just a teen girl, thinking thoughts,’ pointed out one fan on X.
Gracie Abrams chose golden Chanel for her second year at the Met. Working with Matthieu Blazy they created a gown inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt
Hunter Schafer’s custom empire-waist Prada look was also directly inspired by Gustav Klimt, and specifically his seven-foot painting Mäda Primavesi
Ben Platt represented the men, with his custom hand-painted and embroidered Tanner Fletcher suit inspired by the work of post-Impressionist artist Georges Seurat’s 1884 painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
Gracie Abrams chose golden Chanel for her second year at the Met. Working with Matthieu Blazy they created a gown inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt.
Hunter Schafer’s custom empire-waist Prada look was also directly inspired by Klimt, and specifically his seven-foot painting Mäda Primavesi.
Ben Platt represented the men, with his custom hand-painted and embroidered Tanner Fletcher suit inspired by the work of post-Impressionist artist Georges Seurat’s 1884 painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
