The Met Gala is famous for both its outlandish themes, and the celeb attendees’ refusal to stick to the dress code.
But at the 2026 gala there was a long line of celebs who actually adhered to the Fashion Is Art theme, taking inspiration from some of the world’s most famous artworks.
Leading the way was Kylie Jenner in her flesh-colored Schiaparelli gown. The bodysuit with fake nipples was topped off with a cream-colored satin gown bunched up around her hips.
Kylie’s was one of the stand-out looks of the evening but her art reference was subtle with fans only later pointing out the dress drew inspiration from Alexandros of Antioch’s famous Venus de Milo sculpture.
Cardi B meanwhile was ripped on social media over her bizarre Marc Jacobs gown, which many compared to a colon.
The rapper told reporters that her giant sheer Marc Jacobs dress with black lace overlay was actually inspired by The Doll – seemingly referring to The Doll by Hans Bellmer, a series of photographs centering on a distorted female body.
Kylie Jenner’s Schiaparelli gown a the 2026 Met Gala was inspired by Alexandros of Antioch’s famous Venus de Milo sculpture
Cardi B was ripped on social media over her bizarre Marc Jacobs gown. The rapper told reporters that her giant sheer Marc Jacobs dress was inspired by The Doll by Hans Bellmer
Madonna also chose a lesser known artwork to reference. The superstar took over the blue carpet in her look from Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello, which evoked a painting by British-Mexican surrealist painter Leonora Carrington titled The Temptation of Saint Anthony.
The gothic black lace dress was accessorised with a striking ship headpiece and she carried a gold horn, a direct copy of the woman depicted in Carrington’s piece.
Heidi Klum leaned all the way into the theme, arriving in a look that could only be described as a living statue.
The Mike Marino costume was most reminiscent of Raffaelle Monti‘s 1847 Vestal Virgin marble.
Kim Kardashian put on a leggy display in an orange metallic bodysuit by British artist Allen Jones and Whitaker Malem that had a custom-molded breast plate on the front.
Leather material fell down behind her and contained hues of both tan and vibrant orange.
The outfit took inspiration from Jones’ poster for the 1975 French erotic film Maîtresse and was controversial in both the U.S. and U.K. upon its release.
Emma Chamberlain was inspired by both famous works of art and her personal connection to painting.
Madonna took over the blue carpet in her look from Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello which evoked a painting by British-Mexican surrealist painter Leonora Carrington titled The Temptation of Saint Anthony
Kim Kardashian’s inspiration for her sculpted fembot look that she donned at the 2026 Met Gala has been revealed
Heidi Klum leaned all the way into the theme, arriving in a look that could only be described as a living statue
The star wowed in a custom Mugler by Miguel Castro Freitas dress hand painted by artist Anna Deller-Yee.
The colourful gown’s print was inspired by works by Van Gogh and Munch, but Emma gushed that her dad’s work as an oil and watercolour painter also played its part in her look’s creation.
Rachel Zegler made a statement about her controversial career trajectory with her 2026 Met Gala ensemble, as well as sticking to the Fashion is Art dress code.
The Snow White actress made her third appearance at the annual event in a stunning Atelier Prabal Gurung gown.
Rachel Zegler made a statement about her controversial career trajectory with her Atelier Prabal Gurung gown, as well as sticking to the Fashion is Art dress code
Emma Chamberlain was inspired by both famous works of art and her personal connection to painting
The pearl silk dress was accessorised with a Jennifer Behr custom silk mask.
Rachel, 25, later confirmed that the blindfold referenced Paul Delaroche’s famous 1833 painting The Execution of Lady Jane Grey, who was beheaded in 1554 for high treason.
Fans applauded the reference, musing that Rachel’s own experience with ‘scapegoating’ and ‘cancel culture’ could be linked back to the painting’s subject.
‘rachel zegler referencing the execution of lady jane grey who was wrongfully scapegoated and executed when she was just a teen girl, thinking thoughts,’ pointed out one fan on X.
Gracie Abrams chose golden Chanel for her second year at the Met. Working with Matthieu Blazy they created a gown inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt
Hunter Schafer’s custom empire-waist Prada look was also directly inspired by Gustav Klimt, and specifically his seven-foot painting Mäda Primavesi
Ben Platt represented the men, with his custom hand-painted and embroidered Tanner Fletcher suit inspired by the work of post-Impressionist artist Georges Seurat’s 1884 painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
Gracie Abrams chose golden Chanel for her second year at the Met. Working with Matthieu Blazy they created a gown inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt.
Hunter Schafer’s custom empire-waist Prada look was also directly inspired by Klimt, and specifically his seven-foot painting Mäda Primavesi.
Ben Platt represented the men, with his custom hand-painted and embroidered Tanner Fletcher suit inspired by the work of post-Impressionist artist Georges Seurat’s 1884 painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
