As the fashion world gears up for the most glamorous night of the year, the Met Gala, a stylist has lifted the lid on the less glamorous moments that fans never see. With just hours to go until the stars grace the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the theme for 2026 is 'Fashion Is Art'. This year's event is particularly special as Beyonce joins Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman, and Vogue's Anna Wintour as co-hosts.
Behind the Glitz: The Chaos Unseen
Stylist Sarah Nearis, who worked as a styling assistant for an unnamed popstar for two years, revealed the immense effort behind the scenes. 'So many logistics go into the Met, from jewellery, undergarments... In LA and New York, you cannot find a pair of Spanx in stock at any Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bloomingdales,' she said. 'You don't know what you're going to need. It's coming into collaboration with hair and makeup too, making sure everything's cohesive. Everybody wants to have the moment but it's a lot of moving parts.'
Nearis emphasized the meticulous preparation: 'There are so many fittings that go beyond just going into a room and trying on the final look. Every piece of your body is measured.' In the frantic moments before stars hit the carpet, accessories, jewellery, and sunglasses are often flung around to ensure a seamless appearance for photographers.
The Stress of Perfection
'It's stressful because you want to have the most iconic piece ever, but you're also dealing with every shoe brand, every jewellery designer reaching out to you,' she explained. 'Ultimately it comes down to the stylist and the talent, their vision and what they feel comfortable in. But it is stressful because there are just so many elements you don't think about. Are they going to be able to use the restroom? Did we have the right undergarments? Is the jewellery going to be too heavy? Are they going to change for the afterparty? Does a guard need to be with them for the jewellery for the night?'
Nearis praised tailors as the unsung heroes of the Met Gala: 'They don't sleep. They make everything look seamless when a lot of these pieces are probably being finished hours before the celebrity gets into them.'
Walking Up the Stairs: A New Challenge
One trend Nearis has noticed is stars struggling to walk up the stairs due to form-fitting gowns. 'We're in the era of being snatched, everybody wants super clean lines, and to look as slender as possible. That doesn't always make for the most efficient gown when it comes to walking up the stairs,' she said. 'Some of my most favourite images are when they're walking up the stairs effortlessly, like Sarah Jessica Parker. You don't see that as much now because there's so much structure. Every pose, every step is manufactured because it's difficult for them to walk.'
Hailey Bieber and Theme Adherence
Reflecting on least favourite looks, Nearis mentioned Hailey Bieber: 'I love her to death, but I don't love when people just show up in a slip dress or something that has nothing to do with the theme. They just use it as another red carpet moment. This carpet is supposed to be about expression, creativity and imagination, so I don't like when people don't take advantage of that. No shade.'
She added: 'A lot of times you do see people and you're like, "How does this fit?" They just wanted to look hot, sexy or pretty. This is supposed to be about costumes, not so much another red carpet. It's entertainment. It's supposed to make you think about something else, it's supposed to leave you breathless and really take a step back.'
Favourite Looks and Anna Wintour's Approval
Nearis praised Rihanna's 2015 gold Guo Pei gown, saying, 'She's fearless.' She also celebrated Sarah Jessica Parker as a consistent best-dressed. Regarding Anna Wintour's role, Nearis claimed the Vogue editor must approve every look. 'I'm 99% positive that she does have to approve the look and she also does have to approve the guest list. Some of these girls can be a little risqué. We know that Anna's more conservative. So, you wonder who and how she picks what she approves.'
Predictions for 2026
Looking ahead, Nearis predicted a revival of vintage and re-worn pieces, inspired by sustainability trends like Kim Kardashian's Marilyn Monroe dress. 'We're going to be seeing more vintage, even if it's a re-worn couture within the past 3 to 5 years - maybe styled differently or just tailored differently. People are really going to go big for this one, since it's a little bit more broad. We're going to see volume, different textures and materials. It will be a loud carpet. Especially with The Devil Wears Prada, people are just wanting to go a little bit more over the top this year, which I think is always fun.'
