The annual Met Gala fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute took place on Monday, with this year's theme, 'Costume Art', drawing inspiration from the Met’s Spring exhibition on depictions of the dressed body. Co-chair Beyoncé made a striking return to the gala after a decade, wearing a custom diamante skeleton-style bustier dress by Olivier Rousteing, accompanied by her daughter Blue Ivy.
Nicole Kidman's Chanel Gown
Nicole Kidman, also a co-chair, arrived in a breathtaking sequinned and feathered Chanel gown, which was noted as gorgeous but not fully embracing the event's specific dress code. While stunning, the outfit seemed more suited to a traditional red carpet than the avant-garde theme.
Katy Perry and Heidi Klum's Bizarre Ensembles
Katy Perry and Heidi Klum delivered some of the night's most memorable and bizarre looks. Perry donned a futuristic 'fencing chic' ensemble complete with a metallic visor and padded shoulders, while Klum transformed into a walking statue, painted head to toe in bronze and wearing a sculptural gown.
Internet personality and presenter Emma Chamberlain wowed the crowds with possibly the most theme-accurate outfit of the night. Using her body as a canvas, she wore custom Mugler by Miguel Castro Freitas, featuring intricate body paint and a sheer, structured bodice that blurred the line between clothing and art.
Ranking the Most Dramatic Looks
From best to worst, the most dramatic looks on the 2026 Met Gala red carpet included Emma Chamberlain's artistic triumph, Beyoncé's glamorous return, and Nicole Kidman's elegant but off-theme gown. At the bottom, Katy Perry and Heidi Klum's over-the-top attempts divided critics.
