Fashionably late as ever, Rihanna’s appearance at the Met Gala 2026 might not have been quite as headline grabbing as in previous years (in 2025 she used the occasion to announce her third pregnancy), but it was still pretty great. Wearing sculptural metallic Maison Margiela and an Art Deco inspired headpiece, the look drew on the medieval architecture of Flanders in Margiela designer Glenn Martens’ home country of Belgium.

Finished with De Beers diamond jewellery, the dazzling look featured more than 115,000 crystal beads, took 1,380 hours to embroider and was made from a fabric woven using recycled metal threads normally used for computer wiring. Perfection.

Truthfully, Beyoncé could have arrived at the Met Gala wearing an oversized bin bag and we would all simply have been grateful to be graced by her presence. Happily, she instead chose to wear a feathered cape by former Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing so voluminous it took six people to carry it up the Met steps. True diva stuff.

Joined on the red carpet by husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy, beneath all the feathers and goddess head dresses was a sheer gown embellished with crystal in the form of an anatomically correct skeleton. Having last attended the event in 2016, this is how you make your once-in-a-decade appearance.

Anne Hathaway took a quick break from the fashions of the The Devils Wear Prada 2 press tour to don some even more extravagant fashion for the Met Gala. Hand-painted by artist Peter McGough and inspired by the Met’s collection of classical pottery (there’s a huge Roman head in relief on the back), while still being incredibly flattering, this was one of my favourite looks of the evening. That Bulgari necklace is mega and, although you can’t see them in this photo, there are some pretty great Roger Vivier heels under that skirt to boot.

Alessandro Michele has been a busy man when it comes to the Met Gala and, while he’s pulled out some real stunners, I can’t help thinking he went for shock value over intrinsic artistic references with this one. Yes, there’s plenty of nudity in art but, paired with the corset and micro skirt, this feels more striptease than expressionist.

eBay had a strong presence on the Met Gala 2026 red carpet, with numerous stars wearing dresses pieced together from gowns sourced on the resale platform. Among the most successful was SZA’s marigold look designed by Emily Bode and finished with a bold floral headpiece and butterfly wings. Inspired by the work of the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop) design collective and Viennese fashion plates, it’s a beautiful modern interpretation of the pre-war fixation on natural forms.

Sabrina Carpenter’s Dior gown is made of actual film reel from the movie Sabrina. It’s fun and theatrical, if a little on the nose, which pretty much sums up the Sabrina Carpenter experience. Obsessed with the headpiece and barrel curls.

Heidi Klum is well known for her love of a costume – her Halloween parties are, after all, legendary – but this is the first time she’s truly brought that skill to the Met Gala. Attending as a living breathing Greco-Roman sculpture (specifically the Veiled Vestal), it’s debatable whether or not this really counts as ‘fashion’ but it’s fabulously executed and undoubtedly creative. Well played Ms Klum.

Alessandro Michele has been responsible for his fair share of unforgettable Met Gala moments, first at Gucci, and now carrying on the tradition at Valentino. Recalling centuries of ecclesiastical art, and blending Eastern and Western traditions with its kimono silhouette and exaggerated ruff, this showstopper of a look promises to be one of the most memorable of the evening – and Dree Hemingway is the perfectly poised model for his vision.

Never one to settle for a suit, Colman Domingo chose full court jester finery, inspired by the Valentino harlequin motif, for the Met Gala 2026. Inflected with military-style tailoring courtesy of those striped guardsman-style trousers, and putting a new spin on military artistic traditions, the Boucheron jewellery is a fabulous finishing touch.

Another Michele masterpiece, this may at first appear like a standard showgirl gown (and red is fast becoming the colour of the evening) but its artistic references are far more specific than that. Speaking live on red carpet, Dunham revealed that Michele wanted her to embody “the blood spatter when Judith cuts off the head of Holofernes” in the famous Biblical painting by Artemesia Gentileschi. Quite.

Now this is what we tune into the Met Gala for. It inevitably calls to mind Jared Leto’s 2019 Met Gala look, part of which included a replica of his own head, and the references to art and theatre are obvious. Deacon was inspired by both the elegant, graceful lines of John Singer Sargeant to create this mermaid gown, while also taking cues from the work of British Surrealist photographer Madame Yevonde and the the colours of imagery by New York photographer Ira Cohen. Now that’s how you understand the assignment.

American tennis star Naomi Osaka is well known for her love of fashion – she famously co-designs her kits alongside the team at Nike – so it makes sense that she should thrive at the Met Gala.  She looks like the high priestess of all things chic in this custom Robert Wun look which reportedly took 3,200 hours to make. Those feathers are a subtle nod to the dress beneath: a flame-red number covered in thousands of Swarovski crystals and intricate hand embroidery. A true museum piece.

Zoe Kravitz can always be relied upon to bring the drama and, while it may look simple at first, this black lace Saint Laurnet gown is really one for the fashion nerds. Its subtle reference to pannier waists, the Rococo-style scoop neck and abslutely stonking Jessica McCormack diamonds all recall an age when fashion really was the way to display status, taste and an appreciation for the arts. Love.

It’s certainly dramatic, and she looks fantastic, but I’m not entirely sure what it has to do with the theme? Apparently an ode to both love and New York (aka, the Big Apple), it’s got that witchy vibe that suits her to a tee – and the ultra-long sleek hair helps in this department – but it’s giving more showgirl than artistic muse. Could do better.

Taking its cues from classical artworks depicting Grecian warrior goddesses, Serena Williams was all about fierce femininity at the Met Gala 2026. Also wearing David Yurman jewellery and an Audemars Piguet watch, for me, the dress feels both a little basic and a tad over-designed. Those winding leaf-adorned sandals are incredible.

This is great. It has strong classic diva energy and the dress is low key enough to let that mega Swarovski necklace – which is brimming with personal references (including Wimbledon and moments from Venus’ personal life) and displays of craftsmanship – be the star of the show. Love the attention to detail on that braided bun too.

She’s attending as a red carpet presenter so perhaps that is the reason but, at first glance, this seems far too low key for Delevingne’s usual Met Gala choices. The heavily embroidered back is undoubtedly pretty, and certainly showcase plenty in the way of artistry and craftsmanship, but aside from the now de rigeur Met Gala train, this doesn’t feel all that different from something a star might wear to the Oscars. The De Beers jewellery and sleek side-part, however, are inspired.