Seventeen standout looks from the Met Gala 2026 reimagine iconic artworks through couture, as fashion and art merge on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

On the first Monday of May, the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art returned to form as fashion’s most studied stage. This year’s dress code, “Fashion is Art,” was not subtle in its direction. It arrived alongside the museum’s “Costume Art” exhibition, curated by Andrew Bolton, which places clothing within the same conversation as painting and sculpture.

That connection was felt on the carpet. Guests didn’t just dress up, they referenced, interpreted, and in some cases fully stepped into artworks. This was more about how a look could hold an idea. Across the carpet, figures from painting, sculpture and visual culture were reimagined through couture. Some chose direct homage, others translated mood and technique. Together, they formed a kind of moving exhibition, echoing the spirit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Costume Art” show.

Below, seventeen looks that brought artworks into motion.

Angela Bassett — Girl in a Pink Dress by Laura Wheeler Waring

Angela Bassett’s choice felt measured in a way that worked. Drawing from Girl in a Pink Dress by Laura Wheeler Waring, she wore a rose toned gown by Prabal Gurung that carried a sense of dignity and maturity, aligning with the painting’s gentle assertion of presence and identity.

Heidi Klum — Veiled Vestal by Raffaele Monti and Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino

Heidi Klum turned herself into sculpture. Referencing Veiled Vestal by Raffaele Monti and Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino, she wore a full body creation that mimicked carved stone. Crafted from modern materials, the look balanced solidity and softness. It is not an easy look to wear, or even sit in, which almost becomes part of the point.

Gracie Abrams — Gustav Klimt’s Golden Period

Gracie Abrams embraced the opulence of Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer I by Gustav Klimt, stepping onto the carpet in a gold infused gown that mirrored the artist’s signature use of ornament and surface. The detailing recalled both portraiture and decorative art, creating a luminous presence.

Hunter Schafer — Mäda Primavesi by Gustav Klimt

Hunter Schafer’s look kept things simple, with a light touch of Mäda Primavesi by Gustav Klimt. A structured silhouette with floral accents hinted at the softness and youth captured in the original painting, while maintaining a distinctly modern edge.

Chase Infiniti Payne — Venus de Milo attributed to Alexandros of Antioch

For her debut, Chase Infiniti transformed Venus de Milo, attributed to Alexandros of Antioch, into texture and colour. Her gown recreated the iconic sculpture through layers of sequins and fringe, mimicking brushstrokes and turning the body into a painterly surface.

Kylie Jenner — Venus de Milo attributed to Alexandros of Antioch

Kylie Jenner approached Venus de Milo, attributed to Alexandros of Antioch, through form. Her sculpted corset and fluid skirt explored the tension between perfection and imperfection, echoing the fragmented beauty of the ancient statue.

Madonna — The Temptation of St Anthony (Fragment II) by Leonora Carrington

Madonna’s theatrical ensemble drew from The Temptation of St Anthony (Fragment II) by Leonora Carrington, incorporating symbolic elements from the painting. With a dramatic cape and performative staging, the look extended beyond fashion into narrative.

Emma Chamberlain — Inspired by works of Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch

Emma Chamberlain became a canvas. Her hand painted gown drew from the expressive styles of Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch, with colours flowing across fabric as if freshly applied. The result was a direct translation of artistic process into fashion.

Charli XCX — Irises by Vincent van Gogh

Referencing Irises by Vincent van Gogh, Charli XCX incorporated floral motifs into a textured gown that balanced delicacy with a darker tone. The look suggested the emotional intensity often found in the artist’s work.

Kim Kardashian — Body Armour series by Allen Jones

Kim Kardashian leaned into Body Armour, the sculptural series by Allen Jones. The structured form emphasised the body as object, engaging directly with themes of representation and control.

Rosé — The Birds by Georges Braque

Rosé drew from The Birds by Georges Braque, incorporating an abstract bird motif into a sleek black gown. The design balanced simplicity with symbolism, allowing the artwork to emerge through detail.

Luke Evans — Tom of Finland

Luke Evans drew from the work of Tom of Finland. His look, designed by Palomo Spain, centred on a structured burgundy leather jacket and matching trousers, finished with a custom leather hat. The sharp tailoring and high gloss surface echoed the graphic quality of the original illustrations, with a confident, direct attitude.

Nichapat “Parn” Suphap — The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo

Drawing from The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo, Parn centred her look on the symbolism of hands. Metallic extensions reached outward from a sleek black gown, echoing the charged space between touch and creation. The result was both sculptural and conceptual, placing the act of becoming at the core of the design.

Venus Williams — Venus Williams, Double Portrait by Robert Pruitt

Venus Williams drew from Venus Williams, Double Portrait by Robert Pruitt, a 2022 portrait of her commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery. Her crystal mesh gown carried a sense of precision and strength, while the silhouette remained refined and controlled. The jewellery incorporated elements tied to her career and legacy, grounding the look in something personal rather than purely referential.

Rachel Zegler — The Execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche

Rachel Zegler translated The Execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche into fashion with a look that carried both drama and narrative weight. The design reflected the emotional intensity of the original work.

Colman Domingo — Jean Michel Basquiat

Colman Domingo drew from the work of Jean Michel Basquiat, focusing on texture and surface rather than literal reference. His look carried a slightly raw finish, with careful attention to detail that gave it a sense of intention without appearing overly controlled.

Kendall Jenner — Winged Victory of Samothrace

Kendall Jenner’s flowing silhouette referenced Winged Victory of Samothrace. Fabric was arranged to mimic wind swept drapery, capturing a sense of movement while keeping the overall look refined.