The Met Gala 2026, held on the first Monday of May, once again proved to be fashion's most anticipated night. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, celebrities ascended the iconic stairs dressed in designer creations, all under the theme 'Fashion as Art'. Many attendees drew inspiration directly from famous paintings, turning the red carpet into a living gallery. Here are five of the most memorable looks that transformed classic artworks into stunning fashion statements.
Karan Johar in Manish Malhotra: Raja Ravi Varma's Paintings
Indian filmmaker Karan Johar made his Met Gala debut in a striking ensemble by designer Manish Malhotra. The outfit paid homage to the legendary painter Raja Ravi Varma, featuring intricate zardozi borders, three-dimensional pillars, lotuses, and swans. The jacket lining was hand-painted with Varma's iconic artworks. Johar explained, 'Raja Ravi Varma gave India its most enduring images of itself. The artisans who built this ensemble gave those images new life. And I get to wear that. That feels very much like me, the person who has always believed that how you tell a story matters as much as the story itself.'
Emma Chamberlain in Mugler: Vincent Van Gogh's The Starry Night
Internet sensation Emma Chamberlain dazzled in a custom Mugler bodycon dress designed by Miguel Castro Frietas. The dress was hand-painted by designer Anna Deller-Yee, transforming it into a vibrant canvas inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' and Edvard Munch's works. The swirling blues and yellows captured the essence of the iconic painting, making Chamberlain a standout on the carpet.
Madonna in Saint Laurent: The Temptation of St. Anthony Fragment II by Leonora Carrington
Madonna made a dramatic entrance in a custom Saint Laurent look inspired by Leonora Carrington's surrealist painting 'The Temptation of St. Anthony Fragment II'. She wore an all-black outfit with satin opera gloves and a hat topped with a towering ship headpiece. The vessel was adorned with a grey scarf and carried by seven female helpers, mirroring the painting's composition. The Queen of Pop once again proved her ability to merge art and fashion seamlessly.
Mona Patel in Dolce & Gabbana: Vitruvian Man by Da Vinci
Mona Patel wore a custom Dolce & Gabbana ensemble named 'Renaissance Genius', featuring a cape with scribbled notes, portrait studies, and Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. The ivory gown included a braided spine detail. Patel drew inspiration from Milan's Biblioteca Ambrosiana, home to da Vinci's original codices. She shared, 'Da Vinci has inspired me since I was a child, once I understood who he was and what my name stood for. He is one of the greats, a true Renaissance genius.'
Angela Bassett in Prabal Gurung: Girl in Pink Dress by Laura Wheeler Waring
For her second Met Gala appearance, Angela Bassett honored Black artist Laura Wheeler Waring's 1927 painting 'Girl in a Pink Dress'. She wore a stunning pink custom Prabal Gurung dress paired with a matching clutch. The elegant look celebrated Waring's work and brought attention to African American art history, showcasing Bassett's thoughtful approach to the theme.
