MET Gala 2026: Iconic artworks that inspired this year’s most striking looks

This year's Met Gala theme, "Costume Art," focused on the relationship between clothing and the human body. The exhibition, curated by Andrew Bolton, explores different forms and stages of the body through fashion. Here we take a look at the art works that inspired some of the striking looks of the night

Updated On: 2026-05-05 05:43 PM IST

Compiled by : Athulya Nambiar

MET Gala looks (Pic/ @lidolmix)

Jordan Roth in Robert Wun, inspired by Pygmalion and Galatea

Isha Ambani brought Indian tradition and her family legacy as she walked the red carpet in a Gaurav Gupta creation. The look was inspired by Padmini the lotus lady

Filmmaker Karan Johar made his debut at the MET Gala in a stunning outfit by his friend and designer Manish Malhotra. The outfit was an ode to Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings
 

Kylie Jenner brought the sculpture of Venus de Milo to life in an outfit crafted by Schiaparelli

Anok Yai brought to life the work Mater Dolorosa. The look was crafted by Balenciaga

Rosé made a striking appearance in Saint Laurent. Her look was inspired by Henri Matisse's The birds

Madonna wore an outfit by Saint Laurent in a look inspired by 'The temptation of St. Anthony fragment II'

 

Singer Sabrina Carpenter wore a negative reel of the movie Sabrina (1954) which featured Audrey Hepburn. The outfit was by Dior

Actress Rachel Zegler wore an outfit designed by Prabal Gurung. The look was inspired by “the execution of lady jane grey”

Mona Patel's outfit was inspired by the popular Da Vinci's Vitruvian man. The outfit was made by Dolce & Gabbana

Emma Chamberlain in Mugler, inspired by Van Gogh and Munch’s brush strokes

Hunter Schafer stunned the red carpet in a Prada outfit. The costume was inspired by the painting Mäda Primavesi

Yu-Chi Lyra Kuo looked like an angel in an outfit by designer Jean Paul Gaultier. The look was inspired by 'Winged Victory of Samothrace'
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