We Have Some Thoughts on the 2026 Met Gala
The 2026 Met Gala transformed fashion’s biggest night into a celebration of art, craftsmanship, and visual storytelling. This year’s theme, ‘Fashion is Art,’ saw designers and celebrities reference everything from classical sculptures to oil paintings and cinematic history, resulting in one of the most visually ambitious Met Galas in recent years. From Emma Chamberlain’s painted Mugler masterpiece to Hunter Schafer’s Klimt-inspired gown, the red carpet looks pushed beyond superficial glamour into storytelling and symbolism. In this article, we break down the night’s most memorable outfits, evaluating how well they embodied the theme through aesthetics and originality.
Let us discuss some standout looks from the event and how we would rate them from 3 categories: Theme, Aesthetics and Uniqueness.
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter’s Met Gala look featured strips of film from the 1954 film, Sabrina, and is evidently a witty nod to her own name. Dressed by Dior, Carpenter’s look combines the art of fashion, film and music, and simultaneously references her own music, often featuring ironic lyrics that are a play on words.
Overall: 25/30
Theme: 9/10
Aesthetics: 7/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
Rachel Zegler
Rachel Zegler’s Prabal Gurung look pays homage to Paul Delaroche’s 1833 oil painting “The Execution of Lady Jane Grey.” Zegler on Instagram said that Lady Jane “was a queen for just nine days before she paid the price, and so are the rest of us,” perhaps referring to her reputation within the film industry after the backlash from Snow White. Whilst the see-through blindfold makes a bold statement in comparison to the original, Zegler’s dress missed the opportunity to have taken the Regency Era look to the next level.
Overall: 23/30
Theme: 9/10
Aesthetics: 6/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
Emma Chamberlain
Vogue correspondent Emma Chamberlain stunned in custom Mugler by Miguel Castro Freitas, cementing herself as a Met Gala veteran with her sixth appearance. The look, which used 30 base colours and took more than 40 hours of painting, has received highly praised comparison to the likes of Vincent Van Gogh and Edvard Munch. As the first look of the night, Mugler set the bar extremely high, transforming Chamberlain into his own personalised canvas.
Overall: 28/30
Theme: 9/10
Aesthetics: 9/10
Uniqueness: 10/10
Karan Johar
Karan Johar delivered one of the night’s most artistically rich outfits, styled in a custom look by Manish Malhotra. Malhotra’s design was inspired by the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, and featured vintage zardozi embroidery, hand-painted gold detailing, and a dramatic cape designed to look like an oil painting. The level of craftsmanship behind the finished pieces was equally extraordinary, with artisans spending over 5600 hours creating them.
Overall: 28/30
Theme: 10/10
Aesthetics: 9/10
Uniqueness: 9/10
Rachel Sennott
Everyone’s favourite woman in comedy, Rachel Sennott, was in custom Marc Jacob’s inspired by American conceptual artist John Baldessari. Sennott was notably one of the only looks that incorporated the loud colour blocking of modern pop art, further emphasised by her aggressive popping of bubble gum.
Overall: 22/30
Theme: 8/10
Aesthetics: 7/10
Uniqueness: 7/10
Hunter Schafer
Hunter Schafer’s custom Prada gown referenced the painting Mäda Primavesi by Gustav Klimt. The pure details on the look mark it as one to compete with as a top Met Gala look, combining a romantic, feminine look with a remarkable painting.
Overall: 27/30
Theme: 9/10
Aesthetics: 9/10
Uniqueness: 9/10
Yu-Chi Lyra Kuo
Yu-Chi Lyra Kuo’s interpretation of the Greek sculpture Nike of Samothrace embodied the physicality and structure of the classical artwork. Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, the gown mirrored the sharp form and sculptural presence of the statue itself, transforming Kuo into a living extension of the artwork. The look celebrated not only the aesthetics of classical sculpture, but also the enduring influence of ancient art on contemporary fashion.
Overall: 24/30
Theme: 8/10
Aesthetics: 8/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
Daisy Edgar-Jones
Daisy Edgar-Jones, fitted in a custom Alexander McQueen gown, cements herself as a chic, laidback fashion girl this Met. Her look references the concept of structure, fragility, and costume art. Although the outfit, and the girl in it, is undeniably stunning, a lack of reference to a specific piece of art limits the adherence to the theme from the actress.
Overall: 21/30
Theme: 6/10
Aesthetics: 9/10
Uniqueness: 6/10
Bad Bunny
This year, Bad Bunny approached the Met Gala differently from the majority of other attendees, with his face being the focal point of the look rather than his outfit. The striking prosthetic makeup he wore was created by Mike Marino, paired with a simple all-black tuxedo designed in collaboration with Zara. Notably, the look directly referenced the Costume Institute’s exhibition, ‘The Aging Body,’ that was being shown at the Met, rather than the gala theme itself.
Overall: 21/30
Theme: 7/10
Aesthetics: 6/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
Kendall Jenner
Working with designer Zac Posen, Kendall Jenner also drew inspiration from Nike of Samothrace, though her interpretation focused less on structure and more on movement. Jenner’s flowing silhouette echoed the windswept drapery of the statue, capturing the sense of freedom and triumph embedded within the original artwork. The softness and fluidity of the garment contrasted beautifully against the rigidity often associated with sculpture, earning her well-deserved praise from critics and fans alike.
Overall: 24/10
Theme: 8/10
Aesthetics: 9/10 (specifically with the wings)
Uniqueness: 7/10
Bhavitha Mandava
Standing out amongst the extravagant reinterpretations of classical artworks, Bhavitha Mandava’s Chanel look divided the internet through its apparent mundanity. However, this simplicity is precisely what makes the outfit such a profound interpretation of the Met Gala theme. Mandava’s look paid homage to Chanel’s Métiers d'Art’s show, a collection dedicated to celebrating the craftsmanship of the fashion house’s artisans. What appeared to be denim was in fact silk, a notoriously delicate and difficult fabric to manipulate. Chanel’s masterful ability to transform silk into the illusion of heavy denim highlights the technical mastery and underappreciated labour behind couture. That is the theme of the 2026 Met Gala. Fashion does not only exist as art when referencing another art form — fashion is in itself art. And like all art, it extends beyond spectacle into refined skill, craftsmanship, and grasp of form.
Overall: 22/30
Theme: 10/10
Aesthetics: 5/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
Although we wish we could have reviewed all the looks, we didn’t want to delay any longer in telling you what we thought. So, how did we do? Are we completely missing the point, or surprisingly insightful? Feel free to let us know on our socials (we can take the heat), and we’ll see you here again next Met Gala.