Life imitates art, and this year the Met Gala theme was Fashion is Art allowing guests to either recreate artistic masterpieces through fashion or turn themselves into art. We've put together a list of a few of our favourite re-adaptions, and offered a breakdown of who or what they are readapting.
Emma Chamberlain
Starting very strong, with perhaps my favourite look of the night. Emma has gone from filming YouTube videos in her car, to sitting on the Met Gala committee and we couldn't be prouder (of someone we don't know). This hand-painted Mugler look takes inspiration from Van Gogh and his bold colours and placement, particularly that from his painting Starry Night.
Sabrina Carpenter
Our Espresso queen Sabrina carpenter wore Sabrina, literally. She wore a corset constructed from a wheel of vintage film tapes from Audrey Hepburn’s hit 1954 film, Sabrina. The dress was designed by Jonathan Anderson for Dior and was decorated with a rhinestone headdress and chains, and a slit tulle skirt, and of course some iconic platform Louboutin’s.
Alexa Chung
We are consistently impressed by Alexa Chungs Met Gala looks, and this year is no exception. Designed by Jonathan Anderson for Dior, Chung wore insane chartreuse gown with a lily decal. The dress is an homage to Monet's Water Lilies series of paintings, as well as referencing Dior themself, and their A/W26 show in the Tuileries Garden.
Hunter Schafer
In another top ranking look styled by Prada, Hunter looks soft and delicate while being perfectly on theme. Hunter's look pays homage to Gustav Klimt’s early 1900's painting, Mäda Primavesi, which sits within the Met museums permanent collection, making it a perfect and fitting selection.
Tyla
Since her debut Met in 2024, and the skintight 'hourglass' sand dress for The Garden of Time theme that had us all on our knees, Tyla has been one to watch. For this years Met she wore custom Valentino, taking inspiration from the colours in a peacocks feathers. While not directly hinting at a specific piece of art, the look hints at the art in the world around us - and we love that.
Anok Yai
Anok's looks have us in awe every year, and this year she did it again with a reference to Mater Doloros, Our Lady of Sorrows in collaboration with Balenciaga. She stated her aim was to send a message, and said to Vogue, “I feel like being the Black Madonna in a Trump world is going to send that message.”
Madonna
Styled as dark enchantress with her seven ladies in waiting, Madonna's Saint Laurent look was a reference to a female surrealist painter Leonora Carrington, who she's previously taken inspiration from in her music videos, specifically her painting The Temptation of Saint Anthony. The painting references Saint Anthony fighting off temptations, and Madonna's re-adaption was perfect.
Kylie Jenner
In a direct nudge to Greek mythology, Kylie sports a Schiaparelli gown around her hips, in reference to Venus de Milo and the fact that fashion alone, is art. All the Kardashian sisters in attendance sported sculpted bustiers, and if that's a marketing tactic, we seriously respect the hustle Kris Jenner.
Kendall Jenner
Similarly to Kylie, Kendall mirrored an ancient statue of a Greek goddess with her re-adaption of Winged Victory Of Samothrace which is an exhibit at the Louvre. The look was designed by GAP Studio, and as simple as the look seemed at first glance, when we got the reference, we were obsessed.
Angela Bassett
Dressed in Prabal Gurung, American Horror Story star Angela Bassett paid homage to Laura Wheeler's 1927 painting, The Girl In the Pink Dress which is currently one of many on display at the Met museum.
Gracie Abrams
Working alongside Chanel, Gracie Abrams like Hunter Schafer, chose to pay homage to Gustav Klimt, and Austrian painter known for his use of gold leaf in paintings like The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I. Abrams uses the same neckline and tones as the painting giving a great modern adaption.
Charli XCX
In another homage to Van Gogh, Charli XCX paired up with Saint Laurent to create this stunning adaption of his Irises painting. The brand has previously recreated the painting on a jacket for S/S 1988, which was mirrored in resin on the Met look.
Rachel Zegler
Zegler's look by Jennifer Behr is styled in representation of Paul Delaroche's famous 1833 painting The Execution of Lady Jane Grey, who was executed as a scapegoat as a teenager, perhaps in a nod to her own experience with internet trolls and cancel culture.
